Like the Germans the Japanese are able to produce high standard quality products. Their cars and audio-visual equipment end up high in the charts of comfort, reliability and service. But it's not only the hardware. For a couple of years now a remarkable exchange on the field of communication and applied arts started. Many curious and interested Japanese have been visiting Europe and several European designers have been working on Japanese commisions. At least three Japanese graphic arts magazines have already printed some of my typographical work in extensive publications. Somehow these magazines manage to do good research.
This well produced issue is divided into two parts. Part 1: Typography of this century and part 2: The cutting Edge of Typographcal Design. Over all well documented with short essays by, among others, Catherine Burer and Max Bruinsma in part 1.
And in Part 2 an interview with Paul Rand and several designers explain what typography means to them.
Many, many images covering more than 100 years of typographical design. If you appriciate well documented resource books you should try to get hold of a copy.
IDEA, international graphic art magazine.
Special issue: Typography Ad Finitum.
May 1996/Vol. 44
Published by: Seibundo Shinkosha Publishing Co., Ltd
1-13-7 Yayoicho, Nakanoku, Tokyo 164, Japan
Fax +81 3 3373 7313
Max Kisman.