Design duo Studio Opposite shows us the books that inspire them

Date
25 August 2015

After graduating, Charlie Patterson (one of our 2013 Grads) and Jonny Holmes spread their little design wings and formed Studio Opposite together. Working within fashion, arts and culture, they create “clean, considered and colourful solutions to design problems.” With an impressive list of clients including Adidas, Creative Review, Nike and our sister agency INT Works, the pair put an emphasis on craftsmanship and process.

With all that design talent bubbling away we felt it was about time we gawped at their Bookshelf. With a slither of Swiss graphic design, a morsel of subculture photography, and a few creative crumbs from the book that formed the basis of their brand guidelines, it’s a feast for the eyes.

Jonathan Ive, Klaus Kemp and Sophie Lovell: Dieter Rams: As little design as possible

A great book from our student days, we still reference it regularly. Visiting the exhibition at the Design Museum was an important moment at the very start of our art school experience. Some great spreads from the Braun brand guidelines, photographs of the Braun archive and the “workshop level” at the Rams house. We aspire to have a “workshop level” one day. Great tactile cover, great photography, great design, enough said.

Christian Brandle, Karin Gimmi and Barbara Junod: 100 Years of Swiss Graphic Design

Another inspirational one, this book is packed full of amazing design. Every graphic design student should have this in their bookcase. It includes work from studio favourites: Walter Ballmer, Josef Müller-Brockmann, Karl Gerstner and Jean Widmer. Typographic, colourful, bold, geometric, crafted, we want to produce work this good.

Ewen Specner: UKG

Ewen Spencer’s photography book complete with club flyer pull-outs and a preface from Mike Skinner epitomises an incredible time in underground British culture. Unfortunately we were too young to be there, but would have loved to have been among the colourful satin shirts and Gucci loafers, sipping on a brandy and coke!

Gary W. Priester: Eye Tricks

Magic Eye illusions are fascinating things, the way a 2D image can appear to have depth and show those random hidden shapes is crazy. The designs are very nostalgic, remember those kids magazines? I had completely forgotten about Magic Eye until about four years ago. When I saw one, I had to buy it, and then went on Ebay and bought the rest. It’s even been proven that viewing Magic Eye illusions for ten minutes a day can improve your vision, by exercising your long vision muscles, so it’s well worth a go. The dream is to paint one on a massive scale and just cover a whole building.

DK Publishers: Opposites and Edward Aston: How to develop a powerful…

Opposites “a first look at opposites for preschoolers with bright bold photography and simple word labels” is just a great book and is essentially our brand guidelines document.
How to develop a powerful chest and How to develop a powerful grip, don’t need much explanation. Key qualities in today’s competitive design industry.

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About the Author

Rebecca Fulleylove

Rebecca Fulleylove is a freelance writer and editor specialising in art, design and culture. She is also senior writer at Creative Review, having previously worked at Elephant, Google Arts & Culture, and It’s Nice That.

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