New at Pentagram
Introducing the Black Book
Pentagram is pleased to announce the publication of the Black Book, a new 800-page overview of our recent work. The book is a compilation of over 400 projects from the last several years, arranged in alphabetical order, like a dictionary, and printed on Bible paper, like a Bible, complete with tabbed sections and ribbons for bookmarking. It covers pretty much everything we do, from architecture to graphics, buildings to websites, branding to signage, interiors, packaging, exhibitions, interfaces, furniture, products, brochures, magazines, and houses, all in simple picture-and-caption form.
CONTEST UPDATE: The Black Book giveaway contest is now closed. The 50 lucky winners will be contacted by email to confirm their information. We’ve had an overwhelming response—thanks to everyone for entering and for continuing to follow our work!
A look inside the Black Book after the jump.
Pentagram Under the Hammer
Work by Angus Hyland, Paula Scher and past partners Alan Fletcher, John McConnell, David Hillman and Fernando Gutiérrez will go under the hammer from 2pm on Wednesday, 9 April at The Design Auction.
The auction, arranged by final-year students at the Lincoln School of Art and Design to raise money for their graphic design degree show, will sell work donated by over 80 designers and feature Jonathan Barnbrook as auctioneer.
Click here for full details, including instructions on how to bid.
Hillman Curtis Films Pentagram
Designer and filmmaker Hillman Curtis has directed a short documentary about Pentagram. Shot at each of Pentagram’s five offices, the film features a graphic presentation of the history of the partnership by Paula Scher, alongside interviews with a number of partners.
Click here to view the film at hillmancurtis.com
The film was originally shown at the 2007 D&AD President’s Lecture in London and is Curtis’ second on Pentagram, following one he made in 2005.
D&AD President’s Lecture
Left to right: Domenic Lippa, Lorenzo Apicella, Justus Oehler, DJ Stout, Daniel Weil, Michael Bierut, William Russell, Lisa Strausfeld, Abbott Miller and Alan Livingston.
A sell-out crowd of 1,200 people filled London’s Old Billingsgate Market on Tuesday night to hear Lorenzo Apicella, Michael Bierut, Domenic Lippa, Abbott Miller, Justus Oehler, William Russell, Lisa Strausfeld, DJ Stout and Daniel Weil share their opinions on the culture of Pentagram in an insightful discussion.
The London audience was joined by students from the Berlin School for Creative Leadership, who viewed the talk in Germany via live video-link.
Professor Alan Livingston CBE, led the discussion on different aspects of the firm’s organization for over ninety minutes before opening the floor to questions from the audience.
Remembering Alan Fletcher
Pentagram partners from every office joined 600 invited guests on Monday for a private memorial to celebrate the life of Alan Fletcher held at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
‘(Almost) All the President’s Men’
Ben Terrett posts a review of last night’s D&AD President’s Lecture on the Creative Review Blog.
SOLD OUT: Pentagram D&AD President’s Lecture
Lecture poster designed by Harry Pearce, to be sold at the event.
As part of this year’s D&AD President’s Lectures series, a cross section of Pentagram partners—Lorenzo Apicella, Michael Bierut, Domenic Lippa, Abbott Miller, Justus Oehler, William Russell, Lisa Strausfeld, DJ Stout and Daniel Weil—will give their views on the past, present and future of Pentagram in a discussion chaired by Professor Alan Livingston CBE.
A new short film about Pentagram by award-winning filmmaker Hillman Curtis will be shown as part of the talk. The film was specially commissioned for the D&AD President’s Lecture and is Hillman’s second film about Pentagram.
Tickets for the discussion, to be held at Old Billingsgate in London on the 22nd of May, are sold out, however, D&AD will be filming the talk. The film will be exclusively available to D&AD members, but watch this space—we hope to post some excerpts as soon as post-production is finished.
Click here for more information from the D&AD website.
Colin Forbes at the Design Museum
Pentagram co-founder Colin Forbes makes a rare appearance in London to speak about his career and early collaborations with Alan Fletcher. Tuesday, 13 March from 7:15 pm at the Design Museum, Shad Thames, London. Details and ticket information here.
Luke 1:29
Luke Hayman, William Russell and Abbott Miller
Pentagram welcomed its newest partner, Luke Hayman, with a party at its New York studio on Monday, 29 January. Friends, family, designers, writers, architects, illustrators and New York-ers gathered to celebrate.
D&AD President’s Lecture
The Pentagram partnership will present its first-ever D&AD President’s Lecture this spring. Partners slated to appear include Michael Bierut, Robert Brunner, Domenic Lippa, Abbott Miller, William Russell, and DJ Stout. Tuesday, 22 May from 7 pm at Old Billingsgate, 16 Lower Thames Street, London. Buy tickets now—this event will sell out. Details and info here.
Woody Pirtle: ‘Visually Speaking’
The College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York, presents “Woody Pirtle: Visually Speaking,” a retrospective of work by the artist, designer and Pentagram partner emeritus. The exhibition opened 21 January and remains on view through 25 February, with a reception and lecture on Thursday, 1 February. Details, including a video interview with Woody, here.
‘Feedback’ at the Design Museum
Partners Harry Pearce, John Rushworth and Paula Scher will discuss Pentagram’s history, working practice and achievements in light of the contributions of co-founding partner Alan Fletcher, in a conversation with Emily King, curator of the exhibition Alan Fletcher: 50 Years of Work (and Play). “Feedback,” Friday, 9 February from 7:15 pm at the Design Museum, Shad Thames, London. Details here. THIS EVENT HAS SOLD OUT.
Pentagram Redesigns Christmas
WNYC’s Public International Radio show Studio 360 asked Pentagram to redesign Christmas, and Pentagram’s partners and designers, with their tongues planted firmly in their cheeks, took on the challenge of reinventing one of the world’s most pervasive brands.
Paula Scher created a new inclusive brand architecture for the holiday: a variable naming structure that permits any number of words and symbols to precede the universal suffix “mas” (from the early Anglo-Saxon word for “festival”). Lisa Strausfeld proposed that “mas” be turned into a top level domain designation (“.mas”). Michael Gericke recommended that an international body be created to administer the new expanded holiday. Jim Biber designed a new universal icon; Abbott Miller created variations on the Christmas tree; Luke Hayman made lovely and downloadable wrapping paper. And Michael Bierut pitched the whole thing to Studio 360 host Kurt Andersen.
Visit the Studio 360 to hear the show, download wrapping paper, and mail an x.mas e-card. Or read all about it in the New York Times.
Special thanks to Don Bilodeau, Julia Hoffmann, Armin Vit and Michael Yi.
Paula Scher, TDC Medalist
Last night Paula Scher received the Type Directors Club Medal in an intimate ceremony at the TDC. The medal is awarded in recognition of achievements in and contributions to the art and craft of type and typography. One of the distinctions of the award is its relative infrequency: Since its inception in 1967, there have been only 22 recipients, the last being Martin Solomon in 2003. Paula is the first Pentagram partner to receive the honor.
Domenic Lippa and Harry Pearce Join Pentagram
Lippa (left) and Pearce (right) outside Pentagram’s London studio
Domenic Lippa and Harry Pearce have joined Pentagram as partners in the London office.
The graphic designers founded their own studio, Lippa Pearce, in 1990. They have received numerous international design awards for their work in print, identity, packaging and environmental graphics. Clients have included The Co-operative, Boots, Witness, TDK, Unilever, Espa, Heal’s, The Science Museum London and The Typographic Circle.
Angus Hyland says, “We are thrilled that Harry and Domenic will be joining. They are the perfect fit in terms of philosophy and personality, and have built an amazing portfolio of design work that is a great complement to our own. We’re excited to have two such experienced talents going forward.”
From the new Pentagram partners’ perspective, Pearce comments: “Our outlook and work fits seamlessly with Pentagram. We stand by the same principles of design-led business and creative excellence. To be amongst so many other like-minded partners is inspiring.”
Update: The new partners—including Luke Hayman— are featured in Form.
After the jump, some work from the new partners.
Continue reading "Domenic Lippa and Harry Pearce Join Pentagram"
Luke Hayman Joins Pentagram’s New York Office
Luke Hayman, the National Magazine Award-winning design director of New York magazine, has joined Pentagram as a partner. He becomes the seventh principal in our New York office, where his first project will be a complete redesign of Time magazine, a collaboration with Pentagram partner Paula Scher that will launch in January 2007.
“From Brill’s Content to his revivification of New York magazine, Luke has set a new standard for publication design, ” says Abbott Miller, partner in our New York office. “Luke’s work fuses the instincts of a great journalist with impeccable craft and panache. He can work across a wide range of disciplines, and Pentagram will provide a new platform for his singular talent.”
Continue reading "Luke Hayman Joins Pentagram’s New York Office"
Michael Bierut, 2006 AIGA Medalist
On Wednesday, 25 October, Michael Bierut was awarded the AIGA Medal, the graphic design industry’s highest honor. The presentation was made at this year’s Design Legends Gala, held at Pier 60 at Chelsea Piers in New York.
Update: Unbeige covers the medalists, the event, and the stars. Fast Company cites Paula Scher’s introduction for Michael as a highlight.
Following the jump, Paula’s remarks for Michael.
San Francisco Podcasts
Our San Francisco partners discuss their work in three separate podcasts from Be A Design Group:
Lecture: Michael Bierut at FIT
Michael Bierut will be speaking at the Fashion Institute of Technology as part of its Visiting Artist Program. Wednesday, 11 October at 6:30 pm at the Katie Murphy Amphitheater, FIT Building D, 27th Street and Seventh Avenue in New York City. Admission is free.
Bottle Service
(Click for larger view)
Box of wine: Abbott Miller transformed an industrial shipping container into a cellar for a feature in the current issue of Food & Wine that asked three designers to propose new ideas for wine storage. Abbott jokes that his scheme, which places the shipping container into the side of a hill, would be perfect for an “eco-friendly Teletubby/hobbit hipster.”
DJ Michael Bierut at the Cooper-Hewitt
Our very own DJ Michael Bierut will be spinning at the National Design Awards After-Party on Wednesday, 18 October. Tickets are $125 in advance or $150 at the door and can be purchased here. (Leaked playlist here.)
Update: Michael writes about his fondness for vinyl on Design Observer.
Paula Scher, Design Master
Paula Scher is profiled as a “Master of Design” in the current issue of Fast Company.
Alan Fletcher, 1931-2006
Pentagram mourns the passing of our founding partner Alan Fletcher.
Alan was an extraordinary designer, a passionate artist, a ingenious communicator, and a tireless fighter for excellence. He not only named Pentagram, but he left it with his indelible stamp. His books Beware Wet Paint and The Art of Looking Sideways are monumental capstones to a lifetime of curiosity, invention and wit. Next month, his legacy will be celebrated by London’s Design Museum in a major retrospective, Alan Fletcher: 50 Years of Graphic Work (and Play).
Alan Fletcher will be remembered by colleagues around the world as one thing above all: a friend. We will miss him.
Update: Michael Bierut writes about Alan on Design Observer.
Other remembrances: The Guardian, The New York Times, Creative Review, Metropolis.
Forever Young
Each year Michael Bierut designs a call for entries for the Young Architects Forum, the annual competition presented by the Architectural League of New York. This year marks the program’s 25th anniversary and the League celebrates with a retrospective of past winners and a gallery of Michael’s posters stretching all the way back to 1981.
Last of the White Hot Mamas
DJ Stout eulogizes former Texas governor Ann Richards and her signature cover for Texas Monthly on Design Observer.
Mush Note
“It’s a race to the bottom”: Michael Bierut comments on cereal box design in a review of the category by The Washington Post.
What Becomes a Legend Most
Michael Bierut has been immortalized in the AIGA medalists gallery. The Design Legends Gala happens on 25 October in New York City.
Welcome to the Jungle
Or now that the area has been tamed, make that the forest. Design Times Square: The Urban Forest Project, a collaboration of AIGA/NY, Worldstudio, and the Times Square Alliance, has planted the Deuce with a grove of 185 banners created by designers, artists, photographers and illustrators from around the world. Per the press release, “Each banner uses the form of the tree, or a metaphor for the tree, to make a powerful visual statement.” Participants include Michael Bierut, Abbott Miller, Paula Scher, Armin Vit, and Pentagram co-founder Alan Fletcher, among others. The banners officially launch 1 September and remain on view through 31 October; when they come down, they will be recycled into tote bags and sold at auction, with proceeds to benefit students of the visual arts. Coming soon: T-shirts of your favorite design.
The NDA Five
The five Communication Design finalists of the 2005 National Design Awards—Paula Scher, Stefan Sagmeister, and the principals of 2x4—declined an invite from Laura Bush for a White House breakfast held in honor of the awards last week. (Read the regrets letter here.) Michael Bierut posted about the boycott on Design Observer, and the community quickly, and noisily, took sides. Now the fracas has been noted by the Washington Post. Says Michael, “If the future of political discourse lies in the blogsophere, as some people claim, be very afraid.”
‘Merge’ Joins Permanent Collection at Cooper-Hewitt
“Merge” from the Grammar Collection for Knoll
Abbott Miller’s “Merge” pattern wallcovering for KnollTextiles has been selected for the permanent collection at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum.
Gregory Herringshaw, Assistant Curator of Wallcoverings, comments:
“We have other pieces of graphic design by Abbott Miller in the collection so this makes a great link with the Drawings & Prints Department. The Cooper-Hewitt has a nice collection of wallpapers designed by artists/designers/architects going back to about 1900…‘Merge’ (is one of) the first papers in this group designed by graphic artists. I have papers designed by Andy Warhol, Edward Bawden and John Rombola, who all worked in graphic design but were better known for their illustrations or fine art pieces. The addition of (‘Merge’) keeps this group moving forward.”
Lisa Strausfeld Named Senior Scientist for Gallup
Lisa Strausfeld has been named to the Senior Scientist program at The Gallup Organization. She joins a group of distinguished experts that currently includes Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Richard Florida, and Deepak Chopra. The senior scientists act as an advisory group for Gallup, both by being involved with its clients and internally with research, design and development.
On Press
“At WH Smith’s now, it’s just a haze of tit and bum and bright colours.” David Hillman discusses the state of editorial design in an interview with Press Gazette.
Paula Scher to Receive TDC Medal
Paula Scher has been announced as a recipient of the Type Directors Club Medal, in recognition of her achievements in and contributions to the art and craft of type and typography. She will be presented with the award at a ceremony this fall. One of the distinctions of the award is its relative infrequency: Since its inception in 1967, there have been only 22 recipients, the last being Martin Solomon in 2003. Paula is the first Pentagram partner to receive the honor. Official release here.
Lorenzo Apicella Feted in SF
Lorenzo is welcomed by the SF design community
Pentagram San Francisco threw a glittery bash at its offices on the evening of Friday, 14 April to toast Lorenzo and his move to the city. Party pics after the jump.
Update: Lorenzo’s move is noted on Unbeige.
Lecture: Michael Bierut at FUSE Conference
Michael Bierut will be a keynote speaker at the 10th annual FUSE: Brand Identity and Package Design conference, presented by the Institute for International Research. Michael will deliver the closing speech, “The End of Brands and the Beginning of Something Else.” The conference runs Monday to Wednesday, 24 to 26 April at the Waldorf-Astoria, New York. Registration info here.
Lecture: Paula Scher at @issue Conference
Paula Scher will be speaking at the @issue Business & Design Conference, presented by the Corporate Design Foundation. Thursday, 11 May 2006 at Rockefeller University, New York. Conference information and registration here.
Lecture: DJ Stout at Success by Design Conference
DJ Stout will be giving a keynote presentation about strategies for brand success at this year’s Success by Design Conference, presented by the Center for Design and Business, a joint venture of Bryant University and the Rhode Island School of Design. Thursday, 27 April at the Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence. Registration information here.
Lecture: Paula Scher at Art Center
Paula Scher and Seymour Chwast will be speaking at Art Center as part of the school’s prestigious Toyota Lecture Series. Wednesday, 12 April from 7:30 pm in the Los Angeles Times Media Center, Art Center College of Design, 1700 Lida Street, Pasadena. Admission is free.
Lecture: Pentagram at SFMOMA
Our million dollar babies!
Robert Brunner will introduce Lorenzo Apicella, Michael Bierut, Abbott Miller, Paula Scher, and DJ Stout at “Industrial Design Heavyweights,” a lecture at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Each partner will share his or her work and discuss how so many heavyweights can exist in one company without knocking one another out. The event also serves as Lorenzo’s coming out in the SF design community. Thursday, 13 April from 6:30 pm at SFMOMA, 151 Third St., San Francisco. General admission is $15. Tickets here.
Avant Garden
Jim Biber and Carin Goldberg’s modernist backyard is featured in this month's Domino. (Landscape design by Susan Welti.)
Lecture: Paula Scher at the Cooper-Hewitt
“Ego” is a panel discussion about the role of ego in the work of the graphic designer, featuring the Communication Design finalists from last year’s National Design Awards: Paula Scher, Stefan Sagmeister, and 2x4, represented by Susan Sellers. Moderated by DK Holland. Thursday, 30 March from 6:30 pm at the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, 2 East 91st Street, New York. Admission is $10.
Lorenzo Apicella Moves to SF
Clear Channel International building, London, 2003
Lorenzo Apicella, a partner in the London office since 1998, is relocating to San Francisco. The move will establish an architectural practice in our SF office and allow Lorenzo to continue to grow his existing U.S. client base, which includes Citibank. Official press release here.
Lorenzo and crew officially depart London on 24 March and open shop in SF on 3 April. Godspeed!
More Lorenzo after the jump.
Lecture: Abbott Miller at the Fabric Workshop
“Swarm” curators Abbott Miller and Ellen Lupton will lead a discussion about “swarming” and contemporary views of nature, politics and social life that favor unplanned and decentralized modes of organization. They will be joined by Deborah Gordon, Professor of Biological Sciences, Stanford University and Eugene Thacker, Assistant Professor at the School of Literature, Culture & Communication, Georgia Institute of Technology. Friday, 3 March from 6 pm at the Fabric Workshop and Museum, 1315 Cherry St., Philadelphia. Admission is free.
Michael Bierut to Receive AIGA Medal
Michael Bierut will be presented with the AIGA Medal at the Design Legends Gala this fall. The medal is considered the profession’s highest honor and is awarded to individuals in recognition of their contributions to the field of graphic design and visual communication.
For those keeping track, Michael will be Pentagram's fifth partner to receive the honor, following Colin Forbes (1991), Paula Scher (2001), Woody Pirtle (2003), and Kit Hinrichs (2004). Michael was named to the Art Directors Club Hall of Fame in 2003.
A Visit With Abbott and Ellen
The April issue of Dwell visits the Lupton-Miller design duchy in Baltimore, taking in their home, the Pentagram storefront, Jeremy’s desk, and the work they do (one, two). “Arguably, Lupton and Miller are to graphic design what Charles and Ray Eames were to industrial design—except that what Lupton and Miller accomplish as a team is matched, if not surpassed, by what they accomplish as individuals,” writes Shonquis Moreno. Photos by Julian Broad.
Unbeige posts about the Dwell piece.
Coming attraction: The townhouse will appear as Nicole Kidman's home in the “The Visiting,” a remake of “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” due August 2007.
Lecture: Abbott Miller at the New Museum
Abbott Miller will be leading a discussion about lifestyle and design in conjunction with the New Museum’s current exhibition “Andrea Zittel: Critical Space.” The talk is part of the Andrea Zittel Book Club, which examines books related to the artist’s work, and the featured selection is the 1992 book The Bathroom, the Kitchen, and the Aesthetics of Waste: A Process of Elimination by Ellen Lupton and Abbott Miller. Wednesday, 8 February, from 6:30 to 8 pm at the New Museum Bookstore, 556 West 22nd St., New York. Admission is $10.
“Maps” Folds
Now with India!
Tuesday 31 January is the last day to view “Paula Scher: The Maps” at the Maya Stendhal Gallery. Catch ‘em in person before they go into private collections!
The gallery has just announced a limited edition of silkscreen prints.
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