5 design things to look out for in March 2017

This month, you can explore the architecture and propaganda posters of Soviet Russia, show Pentagram designers your portfolio and brush up on your logo knowledge.

Exhibition: Imagine Moscow

Valentina Kulagina, To the Defence of the USSR, Poster, 1930, Ne boltai! Collection

What: This year marks the 100th anniversary since the Russian Revolution, which saw the rise of the Soviet Union in the 1920s. The Design Museum’s latest exhibition will record the and reimagine era by exploring the Communist-inspired architecture, graphics and art of Moscow in the 1920s and 1930s. Alongside real artwork, publications and propaganda posters from the period, the exhibition will showcase an alternative, idealised vision of Soviet architecture in the city that was never realised through large-scale drawings. There will be six themes to the show – collectivisation, urban planning, aviation, communication, industrialisation, communal living and recreation.

When: 15 March – 4 June 2017.

Where: The Design Museum, 224-238 Kensington High Street, Kensington, London W8 6AG.

Info: Tickets cost £10, or £7.50 for concessions. See the Design Museum site for more info.

Masterclass: Graphic Design with Pentagram

Marina Willer
Marina Willer, partner, Pentagram

What: Calling all emerging designers, this latest portfolio masterclass hosted by creative job site The Dots will take place at Pentagram’s London office. The event has 40 spaces available, and will give designers the chance to have their portfolio and project work critiqued by a selection of 10 industry professionals. The mentors for this event are yet to be announced, but have previously included Pentagram’s lead designers, the V&A’s head of design and the deputy president of D&AD. The masterclass is also an opportunity to network and potentially explore job opportunities, says Pip Jamieson, founder at The Dots.

When: 6.30-9.30pm, 21 March 2017.

Where: Pentagram Design, 11 Needham Road, London W11 2RP.

Info: There are 40 places available for this masterclass, and designers must apply via an online form. See The Dots website for more info.

Festival: Design Indaba

Design Indaba 2016 at Artscape, Cape Town

What: South Africa’s annual design conference takes place this month, and this year’s speakers include Pentagram partner Marina Willer, illustrator Kate Moross, graphic designer Nelly Ben Hayoun and Ikea head of design Marcus Engman. Design Week is attending, so we’ll be keeping you updated with exciting interviews, news and round-ups coming out of the illustrious event. If you’re lucky enough to be attending, then let us know your highlights from the conference by tweeting @Design_Week.

When: 1- 3 March 2017.

Where: Artscape Theatre Centre, D.F. Malan Street, Foreshore, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa.

Info: See the Design Indaba site for a full line-up.

Website: Logobook

Logobook website

What: Logobook has just launched, and is an online resource for designers to delve into the world of logos. Whether you want to peruse symbols for work inspiration, or simply want to browse recreationally, Logobook has an archive of logos and their respective designers dating back to the 1950s. They are stripped of their colour, displayed only in monochrome. Site visitors are also encouraged to submit logos to the site, and if approved they will appear as part of the archive. The site states that it is looking for “originality, simplicity, intelligence, charm and importantly, that the logo communicates in black and white” from submissions.

Where: Available worldwide via www.logobook.com.

Info: See the Logobook website to peruse the archive.

Book: Arabic for Designers

What: This book, published by Thames & Hudson, offers more than 200 examples of contemporary Arabic typography and graphic design, and aims to help designers who don’t read the language to familiarise themselves with the script. Written by Arabic type designer Mourad Boutros, the book will explore newspaper and television typefaces, brand identities and advertising, book cover designs, and type used in print and fine art through a series of case studies. It aims to help non-Arabic speaking designers “respect the language’s cultural nuances” when using it in projects, says Thames & Hudson.

When: The book will be released in March.

Where: Available to order in the UK.

Info: It costs £28. For more info, see the Thames & Hudson website.


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