A Kidd's Guide!

This arrived in the Post today and I couldn't be happier. I've been a big fan of Chip Kidd's work for a while after seeing his talk at OFFSET. 

When it comes to graphic design you can never stop learning, and as technology is constantly changing you need to be on top of what's happening in the design world. But this book is great because it covers all the basics, the foundational rules of graphic design will always be there and it's important to know them. If you are going to break the rules, it's important to know the rules. 

As for Chip Kidd (what a great name by the way) his wit and style carries this book and it is such an enjoyable read. I would highly recommend it to design students. And if you are looking for an example of Chip's work, his most famous is probably his cover for Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park, which was used as the inspiration for the film of the same name. 

DRN

Kama Sutra gets sexed up!

Just in time to secure some Valentines Day sales, Penguin is about to publish a new edition of the Kama Sutra. The book, produced as a Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition features a dust jacket sporting beautifully illustrated letterforms by Malika Favre...

DRN

(via CR Blog)

Never Judge a book by its Cover!

They say never judge a book by its cover, but on this occasion I think it is fair to judge away, because these two books look fantastic!

Both covers were designed by Street Artist Shepard Fairey, famous for his Obey posters, and his Obama HOPE campaign poster.

I read Animal Farm one Sunday afternoon and I really enjoyed it, its crazy to think that a book that was written nearly 60 years ago could be so relevant today.

As for 1984, I shall hold off on reading that for a while, it seems like an intense read, so maybe when I'm feeling more bookish I'll read it.

Have you read either of these classics? What did you think?

DRN

What Goes around...

Comes around... No, I'm not talking karma, but fashion!

Oh yes, On Thursday my friends Pa, Stephen, Jenny and I hit up every Second Hand/ Charity Shop in Ennis and I found quite a lot of treasure...

This T-shirt was so silly, but buying a Paris Hilton T-shirt to wear ironically was one hipster step too far for me...


If I had a working VCR player, this Spice Girls tape would have been mine, I know I had a Spice Girls tape when I was younger, with UNAUTHORISED written across its cover too, but I'm unsure if it was the same... And yes, I was a fabulous child, incase you were wondering!

So here was I ended up with after our day of rummageing, all this for ten Euro...

The denim Ralph Lauren shirt was six euro, Bring It On set me back another two euro, and the two books, A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian & We Need to Talk About Kevin, were a euro each...

And thats why I love second hand, charity, vintage shops, call them what you will, if you are willing to get over the fact that someone else owned them, there is plenty of Treasure to be found, and all for a bargain too...

Recommended Ennis Second Hand: The Somalia Shop, Parnell St CarPark. Mrs Quinns, O'Connell St, and Enable Ireland, Parnell St.

DRN

Follow @DarrenMcMahon54

Tina the Bossypants

Yesterday for me was a day full of surprises. It all began with the discovery that Tina Fey had a new book out, Bossypants. And being the impatient type that I am, I decided that instead of waiting for Amazon to deliver me the Tina goodness, I'd just head to iTunes and download the audiobook. Yes, I know listening to an audiobook isn't the same as reading an actual book, but I can't think of anything better than Tina Fey reading her audiobook to me. And so far it is a great read, or well, listen is the case may be...

DRN

Doggy Dreams

Designed by Californian illustrator Michael Wertz, Dog Dreams is wonderful children's book bursting with style and great design. Its is available from Michael's website. www.wertzateria.com/

DRN

WHAT? Now all my friends are dead.

Need this book in my life!

You can purchase the book HERE

DRN

Designer Jacket...

To help celebrate Puffin's 70th birthday, the publishing giant has enrolled 6 of Ireland's and Britain's most talented artist to create 6 jackets for some of Puffin's most well know books.

The books are; The Secret Garden, with a beautiful cut-out cover by artist Lauren Child (above); Little Women with a cover by artist Orla Kiely; James and the Giant Peach redesigned by legendary sculptor Antony Gormley; Oliver Twist created by pop artist Sir Peter Blake, Treasure Island by Frank Gehry and Around the World in Eighty Days by architect David Adjaye.

At 100 quid a pop you'd want to be a serious book lover to collect the whole set...

DRN

If You Have to Cry, Go Outside!

The only reason I watch MTV's The City is for fashion's First Lady, Kelly Cutrone. I just ordered her book off Amazon and I can't wait to read it, and you can, and should do the same. Order it HERE.

Can you think of any better advice than If You Have to Cry, Go Outside! Someone should tell some of those American Idol dorks to stop crying and flaunting their sob stories. Sorry to rant, but it's on in the background and making me more and more annoyed! Anyways go get Kelly's book.

DRN

Just Another Fashion Book

Oh I need this book, AnOther Magazine is one of my favorites and their photography is always stunning

DRN

Brillian Booksmarks

What a great idea! How clever are these bookmarks? About once a day I say aw I wish I thought of that!

DRN

Marys Library!!

If only Northgate St Library was like this I think i would visit it more often!Mike Stilkey brilliantly transforms books covers and spines with paint and glue.

C

Stephane Massa's books

Loving these Penguin style, social networking books from Stephane Massa, very much like SpaceSick's ones. Very cool though...

DRN

HERO

have you ever read an entire book in one day? before reading Perry Moore's Hero, the only book i had ever read in one day was Paris Hilton's confessions of an heiress, which wasn't hard considering it was nothing but pictures of her! (side note: I was 16 at the time, give me a break)

So anyways i've been doing a good bit of reading this summer, Chuck Palahniuk's Choke, which was fucking awesome, I re-read Brett Easton Ellis' Rules of Attraction cause I would give anything to go to Camden, and Margaret Cho's book. I picked that up after so random old gay gentleman said it was good and i didnt want to be rude so i bought it. Anyways what was I sayin? Oh yeah so I was doin heaps of reading and I had read online about how Stan Lee, creator of SpiderMan, The X-Men, DareDevil and shitloads more, had optioned a book about a gay teenager with superpower. So as you can imagine after hearing the words gay and superpowers I thought to myself okay im in!

So the book is pretty much flawless, its funny, imaginative, heartbreaking, touching, and thats just the first chapter. The characters are descibed so vividly in the book, each one so well developed throughout the book its hard not to care about each of them.

And then theres our HERO, Thom Creed, a gay teenager who has a weakness for cowboys and chest hair! after I read that part i was like omg were soulmates! plus he wouldnt be a regular gay teen without father issues.

I dont want to share anymore of the book, cause ill just get carrier away and end up typing the whole thing out, all I can say is whether your gay, straight or taken you'll ready enjoy this book!

you can buy the book on Amazon or im sure Easons has it...

The author, Perry Moore, is a big time movie producer too, he produced The Lion, The Which and The Wardrobe, which means hes probably friends with Tilda Swinton! Which makes me love him even more! His website has a really interesting interview with him too thats worth a read.

DRN

Handy!

Getting my ideas down on paper is always hard but this is to cute not to use! by Ana Cardim

Wishful Drinking

Funny and bold cover for Carrie Fisher's autobiography, Wishful Drinking.

Epic