The Evolution of an Icon

(click images to enlarge)

Artist: Peter Saville & Chris Mathan
Client: Joy Division
Year: 1979

The front cover image comes from an edition of the Cambridge Encyclopedia of Astronomy, and was originally drawn with black lines on a white background. It presents successive pulses from the first pulsar discovered, PSR B1919+21—often referred to in the context of this album by its older name, CP 1919.

PSR B1919+21 is a pulsar with a period of 1.3373 seconds and a pulse width of 0.04 second. It is notable for being the first radio pulsar ever discovered (in July 1967 by Jocelyn Bell Burnell). Its original designation was CP 1919 and it is also known as PSR J1921+2153. It is located in the constellation of Vulpecula. – (various sources)

For more from Mr. Saville, view below and go here.


Unknown Pleasures
Iris print, 2003
89 x 118cm


Unknown Pleasure
Chemical wood, polyurethane paint, 2003
32 x 32 x 14cm


Unknown Pleasure, Telegrey
Chemical wood, polyurethane paint, 2003
32 x 32 x 14cm


Unknown Pleasure, Hot Pink
Chemical wood, polyurethane paint, 2006
32 x 32 x 14cm

In Appreciation of the Stylists of America (video)

(click image above to link to video)

"As a Tribute to Men and Women Who Design" (Pt. 1 of 3)

Produced in the 1950s by Handy (Jam) Organization (and sponsored by the Chevrolet division of General Motors), this Populuxe film documents automotive, industrial, interior and architectural design from the last truly great era of American design.

Links: Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3

This movie is part of the collection: Prelinger Archives

The Cost Of (Bad) Client Relations.

In response to my "The (Up-Front) Cost Of Design" post on January 20th, Jeff King wrote: "I think it would be interesting to see a follow-up on the net value of your skills and gear if you're unable to create and sustain good relationships with your clients under real-world conditions. I've worked with designers who do incredible work, but I will not hire them anymore because they are consistently unable to meet agreed-upon deadlines."

The reasons for being successful in your chosen field are many-fold but there's only one way to achieve success year after year, project after project, and client after client; remain focused on your client's needs, day in and day out. If you cannot manage to produce the most basic of tasks including, but not limited to, being communicative throughout the process and meeting deadlines, you'll lose clients – regardless of your talent level. And the last time I checked, losing clients doesn't do much for one's net value.

In an era riddled with laziness, apathy and self-entitlement – courtesy, logic and common sense are sadly taking a back seat. This is not merely a symptom of the graphic design vocation, of course, this is society as a whole. Simply because that is the case, however, we need not join the sheep at the trough of irresponsibility. Instead, we need to sustain good relationships with clients via a responsible, courteous and conscientious path based in respect for the other person's stake in the relationship.

That sounds simple and basic, I know, but we humans have a slew of basic, inherent defects – and not caring as much for others as we do ourselves is most definitely one of them.

Country By The Grace Of Design

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Coming out this Tuesday, February 9th is the first "greatest hits" collection by Chris Cagle, aptly titled Best Of Chris Cagle. Featured here is the final, selected cover as well as a sampling of textural details from the package design itself. The package features loads of texture and vintage effects that Art & Creative Directors Susan Lavoie & Tom Reccion encouraged me to push to the limits. Now… pick yourself up a copy, ya' hear?