Books Archives - Design Work Life

39 Lookbook Examples to Inspire You

Zoe Santoro — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 23:27:29 +0000

Creating the perfect lookbook is both an art and a science. And if you’re a designer staring at a blank canvas wondering how to make your lookbook stand out in a sea of mediocrity, you’re not alone. Whether you’re designing for a fashion brand, a photography portfolio, or a product catalog, lookbooks serve as powerful […]

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On My Reading List

Courtney — Wed, 25 Sep 2013 15:00:40 +0000

I keep a running list of books I want to read. It’s a gigantic list that grows faster than I can possibly keep up with, unfortunately, and includes everything from fictional to non-fiction, with a lot of business and design-related books in the mix. Here’s a few of my current picks: The Designer Says: Quotes, Quips […]

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Baby EHD: Books

Katie Kirk — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 16:00:28 +0000

For the month of August, a series of guest posters will be filling in on DWL with daily posts. Today’s posts come to you from Katie Kirk and Nathan Strandberg of Eight Hour Day. For more from Eight Hour Day, be sure to check out their blog and follow them on Twitter. Enjoy! We love children’s books. There are so many […]

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Dahlov Ipcar

Jason Sturgill — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 22:03:16 +0000

For the month of August, a series of guest posters will be filling in on DWL with daily posts. This week’s posts come to you from the talented folks of Studio 254: designer and illustrator Will Bryant, illustrator and educator Kate Bingaman-Burt, designer Clifton Burt, designer Tina Snow Le and artist, designer and educator Jason Sturgill. Enjoy! Vintage children’s books are a constant source of […]

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Draw Your Own Alphabets

Courtney — Fri, 10 May 2013 12:00:32 +0000

Draw Your Own Alphabets: Thirty Fonts to Scribble, Sketch, and Make Your Own is a new book by Tony Seddon that teaches you how to create your own custom fonts. The book includes 30 unique alphabets paired with instructions on how to make them your own. The focus is definitely on hand-drawn display typography, but the technical lessons […]

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The All Day Everyday Project Giveaway Winner

Courtney — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 13:00:27 +0000

Congrats Brian! Expect an email from me later today. Thanks to all who participated!

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Eames: Beautiful Details

Courtney — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 13:30:10 +0000

Eames: Beautiful Details, a new book from Ammo Books, is definitely on my wishlist.

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Hannes Beer: The All Day Everyday Project Book + Giveaway

Courtney — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 12:30:00 +0000

This giveaway is now closed. Back in March I posted about Hannes Beer’s All Day Everyday Project, a self-initiated daily illustration and design project in which he challenged himself to create a poster each day. Since then he’s compiled all of the work into a hefty, 256-page book. You can see a few spreads below […]

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New York Nights

Courtney — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 14:00:43 +0000

“No other city in the world stages dusk to dawn like New York City. In this book one can experience New York on foot, the ultimate reward for the nocturnal explorer.” James T. & Karla L. Murray New York Nights is a new photographic book from by James and Karla Murray, the creative team that also brought you Store Front—The […]

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Brooklyn Makers

Courtney — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 15:00:58 +0000

I just got my hands on a copy of Brooklyn Makers, a new publication from Princeton Architectural Press. The book features the photography of Jennifer Causey, who first began documenting “makers” through The Makers Project, which she started in 2010. The resulting book documents a mix of established and up-and-coming artisans in many fields—bakers, ceramicists, clothing designers, […]

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Cardon Webb: Ralph Ellison Book Series

Courtney — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 15:30:44 +0000

Speaking of vintage-inspired design and illustration, I am also loving Cardon Webb’s colorful design for a series of texts by Ralph Ellison. For each cover, he drew inspiration from record art and typography from the mid-century jazz era.

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Sad Santa by Tad Carpenter

Courtney — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 15:40:46 +0000

Just in time for the holidays, Tad Carpenter has written and illustrated a new book. Sad Santa is a story about Santa’s annual holiday blues—such a fun idea! Check out the video below for more. And if you’re ready to pick one up for yourself, you can do so at Amazon or the Sad Santa shop.

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Popular Lies About Graphic Design

Courtney — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 14:00:24 +0000

Designer Craig Ward (who I’ve previously posted about here and here) has written a new book entitled, Popular Lies About Graphic Design. Craig describes the book’s subject matter as such: Drawing on my ten years experience, it tackles lighter subjects such as design fetishists, Helvetica’s neutrality and ‘urgent’ briefs, alongside discussions on more worthy topics […]

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Jessica Hische and Paul Buckley: Penguin Drop Cap Series

Courtney — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Jessica Hische and Paul Buckley have collaborated on an exciting new project, a series of cover designs for classic literature featuring Jessica’s Drop Caps. The first six titles, below, look pretty amazing. More info here. via Imprint

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Book Review: Graduation Guide for Design Students

Courtney — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 14:00:46 +0000

Graduation guide for design students is a palm-sized book that was written and illustrated by Moniek Paus of Netherlands-based Studio Pomp. The book is not an after-graduation guide for students about how to move into the working world, like I originally expected; but it is actually a guide for getting through your final year of school. The slight confusion is […]

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Astrid Stavro Studio: Sol de Ícaro Essay Collection

Courtney — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 14:00:23 +0000

I’m loving the minimal, typographic covers that Astrid Stavro Studio designed for this Sol de Ícaro Essay Collection.

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Golden Cosmos for Nobrow: High Times: A History of Aviation

Courtney — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 15:00:26 +0000

High Times: A History of Navigation is a new NoBrow publication designed by the Berlin-based illustration duo Golden Cosmos: This beautiful Leporello book folds out to a stunning 139cm panorama detailing the history and mythology of flight, from the legendary attempts of Icarus, to the revolutionary innovations of the Jet Age! The wrap-around cover provides educational entries for each […]

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Chris Silas Neal: Book Covers

Courtney — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 14:00:19 +0000

Chris Silas Neal is another artist I’m ashamed to have never featured here before. On my umpteenth visit to his portfolio, his book cover illustrations and hand-lettering really caught my eye, so I figured now was the time. If you’d like to see more, check out his portfolio here, and pick up prints of his […]

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Jenny Volvovski: From Cover to Cover

Courtney — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 14:00:07 +0000

As I mentioned earlier in the week, I am very much interested in designers’ personal projects. So naturally, my interest was piqued by From Cover to Cover, a project by Jenny Volvovski (one third of the design team at ALSO) where she redesigns the covers of the books as she finishes reading them. In order to keep […]

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AIGA San Francisco 50 Books/50 Covers Exhibition

Courtney — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 14:00:07 +0000

If you’re in the San Francisco area on March 29th (I wish I was!) don’t miss this great event: Fifty Books/Fifty Covers, a juried selection of the best-designed books and covers published in 2010 and juried in 2011. The exhibition and reception is being presented by the San Francisco chapter of the AIGA, Chronicle Books and the […]

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A Chopsticks Novel Giveaway

Courtney — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 13:00:23 +0000

Update: This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for your participation! Readers, you’re in for a treat today—I have a new giveaway to share with prizes for three lucky readers. Chopsticks is an innovative new novel created by Rodrigo Corral and Jessica Anthony, that incorporates a physical book, an iPhone/iPad app and a website. Chopsticks was born out of […]

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Student Work: Jon Wong: Beast in a Neon Cage

Courtney — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 14:00:06 +0000

This has been a week of stellar student work, and Jon Wong is no exception. He has a particular talent for book and publication design, as evidenced earlier by my post on his Exploradonia project. This new project, Beast in a Neon Cage, encompasses not only that, but also illustration, packaging and more. A bit of […]

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Roberto de Vicq de Cumptich Book Covers

Courtney — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:00:07 +0000

I’ve long been familiar with the work of Roberto de Vicq de Cumptich through projects such as Bembo’s Zoo and Type Calendar (I also just discovered How to Make Love to Your Type, which is pretty awesome.), but somehow I had never actually looked through his portfolio until recently. Unsurprisingly there is a plethora of excellent work to […]

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Etsy Finds: Kring Emporium

Courtney — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:00:51 +0000

Kring Emporium’s full name is “Kring Emporium of Tiny Literature and Cards”. And they sell just that: miniature storybooks, cards and other paper goods, all beautifully letterpressed and handcrafted.

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Icinori Artist Books

Courtney — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:00:50 +0000

Icinori is the publishing project of Mayumi Otero and Raphael Urwiller. Together they produce limited edition artist book that are hand printed and bound. Below are just a couple of examples of their incredible craftsmanship. via Letterology

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Maddison Graphic: The Fruitful Field

Courtney — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 15:00:06 +0000

The Fruitful Field, by Maddison Graphic, is an identity and book for the Methodist Church introducing their project of the same name. I’m particularly loving the green-on-green patterns and candy colored infographics. Church/religious marketing is an area that is often neglected in the design department, so it’s nice to see an example of one organization […]

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Recent Grad: Tony Lee, Jr.

Courtney — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:00:40 +0000

Take a look at this beautiful senior project by Tony Lee Jr., a recent graduate of Carnegie Mellon. He developed visual identities for three Puccini operas, including La Boheme, which I’ve featured below. In addition to the identity, he created several materials including a series of posters that builds sequentially, various environmental advertising and a […]

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Emily Macrae: Nine Lives Book Design

Courtney — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:00:02 +0000

Emily Macrae’s Nine Lives is a self-initiated project that examines how older generations are affected by the huge changes in the way we communicate. The result is a limited edition book featuring nine individuals who shared their stories and experiences.

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They Draw and Cook Giveaway

Courtney — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:00:02 +0000

This giveaway is now closed; the winner will be announced on Monday morning. Thanks to all who participated! For the third week in a row, I have another giveaway to share with you this morning! This time the winner will receive one copy of the brand new book, They Draw & Cook, which features illustrated […]

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Rachell Sumpter: Penguin Book Covers

Courtney — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:00:33 +0000

I’m blown away by these hand-embroidered book covers that Rachell Sumpter created for Penguin under the art direction of Paul Buckley. Get a closer look at the details on Flickr.

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Katie Kirk: Eli, no!

Courtney — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 14:00:05 +0000

I actually posted a couple of spreads from Eli, No!, Katie Kirk‘s self-written and illustrated children’s book, way back in 2008 when it was just in its beginning stages. So it’s incredibly exciting to give you all an update with the news that the book is now complete, published and available for purchase. Eli, no!, […]

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Recent Grad: Kayla Jang

Courtney — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:00:01 +0000

Kayla Jang is a recent SVA grad, with a portfolio that rivals many professionals I’ve seen. Here’s just one example of her smart and sophisticated work—branding, print materials and book design for Workman Publishing Company, a publisher of reference books.

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Take a Line for a Walk: A Creativity Journal

Courtney — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 14:00:41 +0000

Take a Line for a Walk is a new creativity journal by Robin Landa. The journal is a true collaboration, featuring all sorts of creative prompts from well-known and respected designers, architects and experts in many other fields; and design by Modern Dog Design Co.. This book is just the thing to give you a […]

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Jay Fletcher’s Charleston

Courtney — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 14:00:08 +0000

While I am away I’ll be suspending regular posts to feature design, photography and illustration work focused on a central theme: travel. Normal posting will resume on Tuesday, October 4th. Jay Fletcher was recently asked to represent Charleston, South Carolina—his hometown—in a guidebook entitled Graphic USA. Below you can see some of the illustrations he […]

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Alex Merto Book Design

Courtney — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 13:00:16 +0000

Alex Merto has quite the selection of book covers in his portfolio. I especially love that he’s given some insight into the process by showing the concepts that were discarded in favor of the final. via Dianne Zerr pinterest

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Menus for Chez Panisse

Courtney — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 15:00:50 +0000

Menus for Chez Panisse is an essential book for anyone who loves the art of letterpress. The book chronicles the artistic relationship between Alice Waters, the founder of Berkeley, California’s Chez Panisse, and artist Patricia Curtan, who began hand-printing the restaurant’s menus while also working as a chef in the kitchen. The one-of-a-kind menus were […]

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Sharon Montrose: Menagerie

Courtney — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 13:00:16 +0000

Feast your eyes on Menagerie, a new book from animal portrait extraordinaire Sharon Montrose. A collection of Sharon’s photographs and design vignettes, the 192-page book also features the illustration and lettering work of Julianna Swaney. While Menagerie won’t be released until November 1st (It would be a great holiday gift!), it is currently available for pre-order […]

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Kirsty White: Perfume

Courtney — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 13:00:40 +0000

Kristy White’s portfolio is filled with meticulously detailed pencil illustrations and smart design. I especially love how she brought the two skill sets together in this book cover design for Perfume. via Lushlee

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A Collection A Day Blog Tour

Courtney — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 13:00:17 +0000

It is certainly apropos that our stop on the Collection a Day blog tour happens to fall on the same day as my Collection post series. But rather than put together a new collection, I thought I’d share some of my own. I don’t have any huge collections, but I do have quite a few […]

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Nigel Peake: In the Wilds

Courtney — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 14:00:11 +0000

I recently got my hands on a review copy of Nigel Peake’s Into the Wilds, a book that features his signature illustration style applied to all sorts of rural and natural imagery. I’ve always been a fan of his carefully considered and obsessively detailed drawings (see an older post here), so it’s great to see […]

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Erik and Nipper Investigate

Courtney — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 15:00:57 +0000

Erik and Nipper Investigate is a playfully illustrated children’s detective story by Lajka Books. You can pick up your copy right here.

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Tholön: Katz Publishers

Courtney — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 14:00:03 +0000

Here is some beautiful work from Buenos Aires-based studio, Tholon for Katz Publishers, a Spanish language book publisher.

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An Inside Look at Live Now

Courtney — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 13:00:56 +0000

I’ve mentioned Eric Smiths’s inspirational Live Now project several times throughout dwl’s run. So I’m excited to share with you a few images of the newly released Live Now book. If you like what you see, and I don’t doubt that you will, you can purchase a copy for yourself at Amazon.

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Go Welsh: Dear Bill

Courtney — Tue, 31 May 2011 14:00:38 +0000

Dear Bill, a project that just won Go Welsh the top prize at the One Show Design Awards in NYC, is an extraordinary letterpress piece. The winning project, ‘Dear Bill,” consisted of a message printed via letterpress on each page of author William Strickland’s 244-page book, “Make the Impossible Possible,” inviting Strickland to be a […]

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Adam Johnson: Repackaged Short Stories

Courtney — Thu, 26 May 2011 13:00:09 +0000

Adam Johnson is a Brooklyn-based designer working at HarperCollins. Out of all the great covers in his portfolio, I’m especially loving this brilliantly simple series of short stories.

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Mike Perry: Pulled

Courtney — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 13:00:30 +0000

I was recently lucky enough to get my hands on a review copy of Mike Perry’s Pulled, A Catalog of Screen Printing, which can perhaps best be described as a love letter to the art form. The book includes a brief how-to guide, but the bulk of the material is a survey of some amazing […]

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Penguin Essentials

Courtney — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 14:00:00 +0000

It’s great to see the extent of Penguin’s commitment to design as they continue to release new series; the latest being Penguin Essentials. This time around, the aim was to repackage each title as a contemporary story through the work of a wide range of artists and designers. More details about why they chose to […]

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John Gall: Nabokov Covers

Courtney — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 13:30:44 +0000

Last night I attended AIGA’s My Dog and Pony IV, where I had the opportunity to see four different designers in varying disciplines pitch a project. One of them was John Gall, of Vintage and Anchor Books. who focused on the cover redesigns for the works of Vladimir Nabokov. I’m not sure how I missed […]

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Book Covers by Jason Ramirez

Courtney — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 15:00:00 +0000

I’ve admired the cover of Gabriel García Márquez: The Early Years for awhile, but could never find any information on the designer. So I was excited to recently discover that it’s the work of Jason Ramirez, thanks to The Casual Optimist, who posted a great Q&A with him here. His portfolio features a huge range […]

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Kafka, Redesigned

Courtney — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 03:05:09 +0000

I’m popping in late tonight to share these redesigned Kafka covers by Peter Mendelsund. All i can say is, wow.

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Matt Roeser Book Covers

Courtney — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 13:00:21 +0000

For a personal project, Matt Roeser chose to take some of his favorite books and redesign their covers. Here’s a few of the covers he’s completed so far, but you can follow along with the project right here.

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Kulick Design

Courtney — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 16:00:48 +0000

Here are some great book covers, in a pretty wide variety of styles, by Kulick Design.

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An Object of Beauty

Courtney — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 15:00:52 +0000

I have heard so many great things about Steve Martin’s new novel, An Object of Beauty, that it has flown to the top of my reading list. So I was thrilled to hear from Darren Booth last week, who is the artist behind the book’s cover. Working under the creative direction of Anne Twomey, Darren […]

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Kelly Blair

Courtney — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 16:00:29 +0000

Here’s a series of book jackets designed by Kelly Blair, a new-to-me designer discovered via the 30 Days 30 Covers project.

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Penguin Designs

Courtney — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 18:00:19 +0000

There is no question that Penguin has a great appreciation for design. Case in point, the final installment of the Great Ideas series, Volume V; and their recent collaboration with Project RED.

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Where We Know

Courtney — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 14:30:09 +0000

I’m happy to introduce you to a publication from Chin Music Press, Where We Know: New Orleans As Home which will be released this month. What caught my eye was all the of intricate production details, which include high-quality papers, foil stamping, blind debossing and more; but the concept is definitely a thought-provoking one. Edited […]

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FBA

Courtney — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 14:00:58 +0000

I’m loving this collection of graphic book jackets designed by Portugese studio, FBA. via Cosas Visuales

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Pattern Book Collection

Courtney — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 13:00:04 +0000

Loving this set of patterned book covers by Astrid Ortiz.

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Lucy Stephens

Courtney — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 14:00:50 +0000

Another set of book covers that caught my eye recently is this series designed by Lucy Stephens. I’m loving the juxtaposition of the graphic portraits and hand-drawn type.

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Daniel Justi

Courtney — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 13:00:32 +0000

Brazilian designer Daniel Justi has a knack for patterned and illustrated book cover design. He’s also working on a new typeface which I’m intrigued by—see a preview right here.

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