Graphic design functions as one of the most powerful communication tools in the twentieth century. It is used for everything from propaganda to impart political or social messages to commerce to sell ideas and objects in the mass marketplace. In Design Literacy (continued), Steven Heller continues his exploration of the relationship between graphic design and popular culture through a compilation of essays ranging in subject matter from "raunchy 1960s underground newspapers" to a 1990s Rolling Stones CD cover and professional works by graphic artists Paul Rand and Saul Bass. This absorbing new book serves as an "analytical show-and-tell" in which Heller examines how design functions both as a marketplace tool and a cultural signpost.

<Truly understanding and appreciating graphic design as both commercial art and cultural force requires one to examine the contexts for many objects and the raison d'être of their makers,> says Heller. Through an examination of various objects, Heller defines a basic understanding of how design functions in the environment. The book is thematically divided into sections that serve as <short stories> on the historical time line of graphic design. It also investigates larger movements and phenomena, such as Norman Rockwell's lasting impression on Americana, issues of plagiarism and censorship, and the "Big Idea" in advertising.

Like its prequel, Design Literacy: Understanding Graphic Design, DesignLiteracy (Continued) is an eclectic look at how and why graphic design works as an influence on an ever-widening and diversifying public eye.

Every year, Vital -- The Tel Aviv Center for Design Studies organises the FestiVital, during which leading international designers and illustrators conduct workshops with Vital students, present lectures to the general public and exhibit their works. The FestiVital has become a central event on the Israeli design calendar and is an opportunity for the entire design community, including students and professionals, to come together and discuss current developments.

FestiVital 2000 will open on the evening of Thursday Feb. 17, 2000. Two days of lectures to the general public will be held, on Fridays Feb. 18 and 25. Student workshops with the visiting designers will be held at Vital during the week of Feb. 20-23, with presentations on the 24th. During the FestiVital, other design-related activities will take place throughout Tel Aviv. Special tours will be organised for the participants. On the evening of Feb. 22, exhibitions related to FestiVital participants will open.

Endorsed by Icograda

The 17th Biennial of Industrial Design -- BIO 2000 will be a comparative exhibition of well designed Slovenian and foreign industrial products. The practical organization is undertaken by the BIO Secretariat under the auspices of the Architectural Museum of Ljublijana. The aim of the exhibition is presenting current movements in contemporary domestic and foreign industrial design. The organizer requests exhibitors to decide on the exhibits which would efficiently correspond to the problems of everyday life.

Most desired are the products which were due to their exceptional quality, nationaly or internationally awarded or recognised. Products not in production prior to January 1, 1998 and not exhibited at BIO 16 can be displayed. Products that due to a large size ot other reasons can not be exhibited may be presented in a different way, but the jury is not bound to take them into consideration at judging. All commercial data given in the application forms of the exhibits will be available.

Categories:
A: Products: Home; Working places; Public places; Transport; Industry, production, craft; Agriculture, horticulture; Photographic and other optical devices; TV, audio, video, electronic media (computers); Steel furniture and community equipment; Packaging -- technological design solutions and systems; Medical and rehabilitation equipment and aids for disabled; Sport and leisure; Toys and education aids; Jewellery, garments and fancy goods; Miscellaneous.

B: Information functional systems, corporate identity programmes: Visual communications and products which show the uniformity of design of individual company or the style of the house, signing systems, functional sign systems, products signing, information graphics, design for (visual) electronic media and film, newspapers, etc.

C: Design projects: Design ideas, design programmes, students' works, etc.

D: Additional events: Specialized exhibitions, lectures, conferences, etc. in agreement with the organizer.

E: Information section: Exhibitions that can not participate in BIO 2000 are invited to present their design products by video tapes, slides and other information means.

Endorsed by Icograda

Endorsed by Icograda