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Essential Principles Coming This Summer
 
This summer will see publication of a new book by Debbie Millman, President, Design Group, Sterling Brands in New York. “Essential Principles of Graphic Design” (Rotovision) includes 35 case studies by many of the world’s greatest designers, with an emphasis on how they work and where they get ideas and inspiration. Among the luminaries featured are Rick Valicenti, Bill Cahan, Stephen Doyle, Marian Bantjes, Fabian Monheim, Deborah Adler, Vault 49, Yves Behar, Hillman Curtis, Jacob Trollbäck, and many more. Rodrigo Corral designed both the cover and interior. In addition to her design work, Millman is well-known as a speaker, creative community leader and host of internet radio show, Design Matters.

The Real Thing?
 
Lucille Ball and James Dean are among the iconic figures agency BBDO New York turned to for a new advertising print campaign for Armstrong’s laminate floors. The campaign embraces the theme “It only looks like the real thing’’ in four print ads debuting in May/June issues of Better Homes and Gardens, Martha Stewart Living and Southern Living, among others. The ads use professional lookalikes for Ball, Dean, Dean Martin and Marlin Brando to push the theme. Photographer Norman Jean Roy worked with BBDO Chief Creative Officers David Lubars and Bill Bruce, Executive Creative Director Susan Credle and Associate Creative Director David DiRienz on the project.

Bluu Bar Branded
 
Studio Output, a British design firm, was chosen to design branding, printwork, interior graphics and marketing materials for Bluu, a new bar and restaurant in Birmingham. The Nottingham-based firm also worked with interior designers Macaulay Sinclair to create bespoke graphics throughout the spaces, including vintage-like wallpapers and a centerpiece stair mural, designed to link the daytime feel of the bar to the more noctural basement. Bluu Birmingham is the latest project in Studio Output’s work for Bluu, a collection of bars, restaurants and late-night basements.

TIME Has It Covered
 
TIME hired some of the world’s best graphic designers to compose a cover for its annual list of the most influential people in the world. The finalists, whose covers are all bound into the TIME 100 most influential people issue, are Chipp Kidd (with two covers) Neville Brody and James Victore. They are joined by the only agency, Euro RSCG New York, whose “Face” design was the concept of junior staffers Ben Thoma and Katie Anne Naylon.