Design Reviewed—The Book
100 Years of Graphic Design History
The Design Reviewed archive documents over 10,000 artefacts spanning 150 years of graphic design history. Design Reviewed is an independent graphic design archive dedicated to documenting and sharing the history of graphic design. In collaboration with Unit Editions, a campaign has been launched to publish the best of the Design Reviewed archive in a 400-page book, covering a century of graphic design history.
Built from over a decade of collecting, the Design Reviewed archive contains more than 10,000 artefacts including posters, magazines, books and ephemera, all focused on providing an inclusive and expansive account of graphic design history. Highlights from the collection include a complete run of Idea magazine, the full New Series of Typographica, a complete run of Neue Grafik, an almost complete run of Gebrauchsgraphik (from 1924-1990), and 250 posters by British designer Ken Briggs.
The Design Reviewed Book draws directly from this collection, bringing together a carefully considered selection of artefacts in a format that is both tactile and accessible. The 400-page volume spans rare graphic and architecturally focused periodicals, including Typographia, Architectural Design and Typographische Monatsblätter, alongside posters, stamps and ephemera from across the world. Together they reflect a broad history of styles and practice, with connections across architecture, culture and industry. Organized into sections that move from Art Nouveau and Early Modernism through to Pop and Postmodernism, the selection is wide. Drawn from across the full archive, artefacts were chosen not for personal preference but for their ability to illustrate wider historical developments, ideas and approaches within graphic design.
Matt Lamont, founder of Design Reviewed, said: “Through the website, content and social media, Design Reviewed aims to make design history more accessible, usable and relevant. Encouraging designers, researchers and students to be inspired by the past to shape new work. The book is part of that mission. Whether it sits on a studio bookshelf, in a library or in someone's hands on a train, it extends the reach of the archive and puts design history where it belongs, in everyday use!”
As part of the campaign, supporters will have the opportunity to secure exclusive and rare rewards including:
- A discounted version of the book for early pledgers
- A limited collector’s edition of the book presented in an elegant ‘shoulder neck’ box
- A set of postcards featuring lettering and type found in the Design Reviewed archive
- A specially designed A2 folded poster
- A half-day in-person workshop with access to 100 artefacts for study during the session
- An in-person bespoke lecture and presentation on a graphic design topic of your choice
Further informations can be found here.
Design Reviewed—The Book
Publisher: Unit Editions
Editor/Designer/Author: Matt Lamont
Release: Summer 2027
Format: 279 × 234 mm
Volume:
400 pages
Language: English
Printing: Printing in 4 colors
Workmanship: Hardback, Foil typography details, Multiple paper stocks
Price: Early Bird €70.–, The Book €75.–, The Collectors Edition €145.– (DE)
