Aperture: International Graphic Design Books

Author: He Jianping, Editor-in-Chief
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Features: The term "globalization" has had a profound impact on our era. It has long seeped into every corner of culture through the economy, and the regionalism of world design is rapidly disappearing. The boundaries of design from different nations are no longer distinguishable. This theory has also been discussed and accepted by most designers in many contexts. Under this trend, public attention will directly focus on designers with distinct style symbols. Successful designers always incorporate personal character, living environment, and feedback from social influences into their creations, making their designs an expression of their design concepts, life philosophy, aesthetic tastes, and perceptions of the times. In his book Human Art, A. de Saint-Exupéry states, "Life is the greatest art of man." I believe life is also the source of creativity and design motivation for designers. Therefore, I have attempted to introduce some truly outstanding designers by exploring the conceptual connection between "design + life." This series introduces: Rosemary Tiss from Zurich, a prominent representative of the Swiss typographic style and undoubtedly a symbol of world women designers; George Stainburn, also from Switzerland, a "recluse" among international graphic designers whose works vividly interpret simplicity and wisdom; Matsuyama Makoto from Tokyo, widely known in China, with over 40 years of experience in graphic design, whose works always embody the leadership of fashion; Philippe Apelo from Paris, whose design is dominated by typography, filling his works with a strong humanistic touch; Leonardo Sonori from Italy, also renowned for his typographic design, yet his works are filled with experimental styles; Pika Roli from Northern Finland, whose designs reveal a colorful and vibrant world rather than the geographical and climatic features of his homeland; Christophe Geers, a professor at the University of Arts in Kassel, Germany, whose works embody his deep understanding of literature and music; and Leclerc Lion, from Germany; David Tatkow, from Israel; and the Argentine ghost studio, with its founders, Annabella Sal and Gabri Matéo, who offer a different interpretation of design, elevating it to a form of political engagement and social consciousness. Their works touch upon nearly all the issues of the modern world: war, violence, hunger, poverty, disease, and the environment. I introduce this design category in the series because every society has inequalities and vulnerable groups, and designers' real-world engagement with society will make the profession of "design" more perfect.