OUGD406 - Studio Brief 2, Study Task 1

Today we were given our first study task for Studio Brief 2. Although we haven't been given the proper briefing yet, this task is directly involved with it. We picked a book at random and had to research it in depth, looking at the context of the book, purpose, audience, when it was published, who by, who wrote it, etc.

My book was Looking Closer 2: Critical Writings on Graphic Design. It was edited by Micheal Bierut, William Drenttel, Steven Heller and DK Holland. This book is the second of its family, and there are 5 Looking Closer books in total. It was written in 1997, so as time progresses, the critical writing may need to be updated or new pieces should be written to keep up with the progress of design. The entire book is a collection of essays and critical writing, profoundly aimed at students, about graphic design. It's a non-fiction book written by professional designers, which will appeal to students as they can take inspiration and read about graphic design in a more academic way. The purpose of this book is to inform and educate within design. 
Since this book was published in 1997, 3 more books from the same series have followed it, so I am unsure of the relevance of it anymore. Most of the content will possibly be out dated. 
The design of the book is suitable for the content as it is heavily text based. It uses flush left on the body which reduces rivers. The rag is also barley noticeable, which makes it easier to read. The headings and sub headings are made clear with a different use of typeface, and each essay is distinguishable as it has a large title and is underlined. 
As this book is about a broad range of subjects from one period of time, it doesn't necessarily associate with one school of design. It has five main sections, including:

Design as language
On teaching and learning
Changing paradigms
Design as strategy
Public works

Within these sections, there are over 5 essays by different creatives on this subject, appropriate to the time period. 

This book was published by Allworth Press, who published the other versions of this book, and also books titled "Graphic Design Time Line: A Century of Design Milestones", "Graphic Design and Reading: Explorations of an Uneasy Relationship" and "Design Literacy: Understanding Graphic Design".