Turns out everyone we know is a brilliant photographer. Hats off to Blake. Lovin’ his portrait work.

Here are a few of Tate’s favorites.

And a few that Seth particularly likes.

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Sorry for the lack – woah, just spilled tea on my keyboard, but I think we are okay – of posts lately, friends. Here’s a little recap on what’s been going on. School apparently ended a week or two ago, but I didn’t notice because I decided to take summer school. Oh yeah, and I haven’t had an internet connection this week due to a move. Here’s a picture of my desk in the new house. Next, I will be in Israel for a couple weeks, and who knows, maybe I’ll give you a little update from Tel Aviv.

Shalom.

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As our design nerdiness is not limited to blogs alone, we have decided to start writing mini book reviews, to let you know what we think is good, and what we think is crap.

Here is Tate’s list for the past couple months.

The amount we talk about Chip Kidd on this blog is really not purposeful. I wouldn’t even call him one of my favorite designers, he just keeps popping up everywhere I look. Anyway, his books are a must-read for anyone who went to art or design school, or anyone who just wants to know what that entails. He’s a little bit of Sedaris and a little bit of Eggers, with a whole lot of typography mixed in.

Debbie Millman’s book How to Think Like a Great Graphic Designer may claim the worst title of any book I have ever read, but don’t let that fool you. This collection of interviews reveals the good and the bad of today’s most prolific designers. I will most likely read it more than once.

79 Short Essays on Design is a collection of writings by Michael Beriut (of Pentagram fame). A nice mix of design and non-design content.

And finally, my favorite design book of the past few months, and maybe of all time, Tibor. This 400+ page epic follows the career of one of the OG’s of graphic design, Tibor Kalman. Read it.

The only book I’ve read recently that I would not suggest is Peter Saville: Estate 1-127. I expected more from a book highlighting Saville’s work. I’ve got all kinds of respect for him, but this book just sucked. Don’t even bother.

Here are Seth’s Picks:

How to be a Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul by Adrian Shaughnessy: Probably my favorite design book by far. This book is perfect for an aspiring graphic designer or a graphic design student. Adrian lays down the law in a way that isn’t condescending. Give this one a read and you won’t regret it.

Stop Stealing Sheep & Find Out How Type Works by Erik Spiekermann & E.M. Ginger: Dont let the title scare you on this one. They explain it briefly in the book but it has been many moons since I have read this… This is a great book on typography and why certain typefaces work/don’t work/do work.

The Design of Dissent by Milton Glaser & Mirko Ilic: Milton Glaser. Enough said. But I will say more. This is a great book for design inspiration. The book is made up of mostly social commentary posters. Very powerful imagery and messages.

Things I have Learned in My Life So Far by Stefan Sagmeister: The design of the book itself is what makes this a must read. I don’t want to ruin the surprise, so just buy it and see for yourself.

Must not-read title goes to 100 habits of Successful Graphic Designers by Sarah Dougher and Joshua Berger. Maybe I took the title too literally but the book consists mainly of little tidbits of information about different designers and design firms. Not too much meat in this book. I don’t hate it, but I would not recommend it.

That’s all for now. Check out these titles but don’t take our word for it.

-The Apache House (Judging books by their covers since 1987)

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Just a quick post to let you know www.tatejames.com is up and running.
Ok, bye.

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The other day, I was perusing flickr, as is my custom, when I came across something that left me speechless. An entire album, entitled ‘Experimental Typography’, devoted pretty much exclusively to Ascender Descender Extenders. I cried a little. Here are a few examples, for your health.

Our fellow ADEM soldiers also spotted these little gems recently.

Oh yeah, and check out this ADEs filled title sequence.

To clear things up, we don’t hate you if you’ve extended an ascender or descender. I happen to have extended one or two in my day. It’s just one of those things everyone thinks is brilliant, but ninety-nine percent of the time, it just isn’t. You know, like comic sans. Or crocs. Or the state of Florida.

So, stay calm. The Ascender Descender Extender Menders are here, and we are ever watchful.

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Sorry for the lack of updates in the past few days, everybody. Finals week has been particularly brutal this year, but for Seth at least, its his last one (technically speaking, I guess that is incorrect, because he is still in school for another semester, but I needed a transition from apology to Capstone post, and that sounded good in my head).

This past Sunday, the senior art kids got to dress up all nice, stand next to their masterpieces, and talk to each other’s grandmas. In art school, we call this Capstone. It’s awesome.

Senior viscom (thats Visual Communications for those of you that aren’t design nerds, bless your hearts) portraits by Wesley.

The Lightwell was pretty jammed with all the studio work.

The sophomore studio was converted into an über-professional design gallery.

I caught this guy reaching for one of those brand new Apache House business cards that Seth had on display. You know you want one.

As you can see, the place was pretty crowded, but the show will be up until the sixteenth, so you have plenty of time to see it when its a little quieter.

Bon voyage, seniors.

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