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BUT IS IT ART?

LogoArchive

LogoArchive ExtraIssue – Letters As Symbols

in Design Comment

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LogoArchive ExtraIssue – Letters As Symbols

LogoArchive was conceived, designed and sent to print in a day. It was inspired by a panel discussion at Somerset House as part of the exhibition Print!

Now on to its seventh release, LogoArchive continues to surprise and delight within the context and practice of archival, reconfiguring itself with each new issue. The distinctive smaller format offers ample license to experiment and collaborate with other like-minded resources. Christophe De Pelsemaker’s Logo Books, an online archive of pages from out-of-print publications dedicated to trademarks, is one such resource.

Christophe’s own book, Letters As Symbols, a collaborative endeavour with Belgian designer Paul Ibou, sought to bring to life and uniquely document symbols based on the letters of the alphabet and present these from A–Z. Letters As Symbols has a unique and unusual story and journey to publication. This began in 1991 and culminated in its eventual release in 2019. This LogoArchive ExtraIssue intends to offer readers a sample of Letters As Symbols, presenting one example for each of the 26 letters, and tell the story of the book. In addition, the iconic booklet of LogoArchive becomes a bright yellow folder to hold examples of the original Letters As Symbols submission forms received in 1991 from well-respected designers such as Félix Beltrán, Woody Pirtle and Rolf Harder. These provide contextual richness in either their typed or handwritten details.

LogoArchive is delighted to have been able to tell the story of Letters As Symbols, and to collaborate with Christophe on the concept, design and content of this issue.

Design: Richard Baird / LogoArchive
Publisher: BP&O
Size: 148x210mm

Booklet:
Pages: 10pp + Cover
Finish: Black
Paper: Colorplan Factory Yellow 135gsm

Insert:
Pages: 12pp
Finish: Black
Paper: Fedrigoni Freelife Gloss 115gsm

Binding: Black Staples

Counter Print

LogoArchive#5

in Design Comment

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LogoArchive#5

LogoArchive returns with Issue 5 – Technique. The technical limitations of the mid-century—the need for a steady hand and a precise mind for mechanical reproduction—demanded that an exceptional level of care and creativity be given over to shape and space, association and perception. These considerations created a rich corporate and consumer form language and range of graphic techniques. These have been partly marginalised, usurped by modern print and display technologies. They do remain as useful reference points in which to help create a symbol today, one that is enduring, works well in a black or white, can be used with vibrant inks, seductive materials and eye-catching finishes, as well as being displayed in motion on ever more diverse screens types.

LogoArchive Issue 5 focuses on eleven simple techniques, naming them, exemplifying them and offering short commentaries. It serves as an archival and pedagogical document, offering an alternative take on the ubiquitous logo tips article. In this way it looks at things another way around. This alternate viewpoint manifests itself materially in the dual modes of reading the zine, either portrait and symbol first or landscape and text first. By using both a portrait and landscape format, the zine encourages its readers to embrace the full materiality of what began as a digital Instagram project, to view the symbols documented in different ways and to see how the form language of the symbol is diminished or enhanced.

Issue 5 will be printed by WithPrint on G.F Smith Colorplan Ebony 135gsm with multiple passes of white ink on an HP Indigo press. It features 3x 4pp Colorplan Vellum White inserts printed with black and threaded between the pages of the booklet. These are bound with black staples.

Design: Richard Baird / LogoArchive
Publisher: BP&O
Size: 148x210mm

Booklet:
Pages: 10pp + Cover
Paper: Colorplan Ebony 135gsm
Finish: HP Indigo White x5

Insert:
Pages: 12pp
Colour: Colorplan Vellum White 135gsm
Finish: Black

Binding: Black Staples

Buy LogoArchive#5