editors: marc valli & richard brereton
publisher: actar
year: 2010
size: 288 pages, 11.6′ x 9.3′ x 0.7′
ISBN: 978-849-695-4786

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designboom rating: RGB: reviewing graphics in britain RGB: reviewing graphics in britain RGB: reviewing graphics in britain

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‘RGB: reviewing graphics in britain’ reflects upon UK-based graphic design, chronicling the studios, designers and artists that have impacted and evolved the british visual landscape over the last decade. projects from 49 creatives over 288 pages.

content with the initial question of ‘is there such a things as british graphic design’ in mind, editors marc valli and richard brereton set out to create a comprehensive and contemporary collection of graphic design work from the united kingdom. according to the editors, the projects included are celebrated for their stylistic novelty, their visual experimentation and their cultural eclecticism, while still keeping in focus their contribution to UK’s graphic landscape. the book includes such names as mark farrow, james joyce, studio 8, julian house, forrow design, hellovon, shaz madani and many more.

the structure of the book showcases the work of studios, designers and artists presented alongside a series of standard interview questions posed to each creative. readers are given insight into their initial start in the industry, the type of work they do, their views on the design industry, and their opinion on the most distinctive characteristic of the graphic art scene in the UK.

is it for me? while for some the book may appear lacking as an accurate representation of the contemporary british graphic design canon, ‘RGB’ is still a solid archive of the front runners coming out of the UK. with 288 pages filled with color images, it is a great visual reference showcasing the historical evolution and design experimentation emerging from this part of the world.

RGB: reviewing graphics in britain left: oasis tour poster by julian house right: oasis sleeves by julian house

RGB: reviewing graphics in britain oasis tour poster by julian house

RGB: reviewing graphics in britain ‘yes pet shop boys’ by forrow design

RGB: reviewing graphics in britain ‘yes pet shop boys’ by forrow design

RGB: reviewing graphics in britain left: james joyce’s exhibit at kemistry gallery, 2008 right: ‘pill’ by james joyce

RGB: reviewing graphics in britain left: ‘teen wolf’ by hellovon right: ‘planet of the apes’ by hellovon

RGB: reviewing graphics in britain ‘teen wolf’ by hellovon

RGB: reviewing graphics in britain left:’shears serum versus venom’ by hellovon right: ‘elvis’, by hellovon

RGB: reviewing graphics in britain left: ‘tokyo directors club’ by tomato right: ‘underworld’ 12 inch sleeves by tomato

RGB: reviewing graphics in britain ‘out of paper’ typeface by shaz madani

RGB: reviewing graphics in britain left: ‘wish you were here’ by craig ward right: ‘angel’s psalms’ by craig ward

RGB: reviewing graphics in britain ‘ghost box record’ sleeves by julian house

RGB: reviewing graphics in britain ‘the strange new world of bernard fevre’ by non-format

RGB: reviewing graphics in britain book cover for environmental charity by studio 8