A visual and comprehensive guide to a hugely popular graphic style.

The distinctive aesthetic of mid-century design captured the post-war zeitgeist of energy and progress, and remains hugely popular today. In Mid-Century Modern Graphic Design Theo Inglis takes an in-depth look at the innovative graphics of the period, writing about the work of artists and designers from all over the world.

From book covers, record covers and posters to advertising, typography and illustration, the designs feature eye-popping colour palettes, experimental type and prints that buzz with kinetic energy. The book features artworks from a wide selection of international designers and illustrators whose work continues to inspire and influence today.

Theo draws from a broad range of sources including advertising, magazine covers, record sleeves, travel posters and children’s book illustration to show the development of the design style globally, and how this continues to influence design today. The book is packed with hundreds of colour illustrations, including classic designs, such as Saul Bass’ film posters and Miroslav Šašek’s children’s books, alongside lesser-known gems.

The book, following a general introduction, is split into five chapters focusing on specific areas of graphic design: Book Covers, Record Sleeves, Posters & Advertising, Magazine Covers and Illustrated Books.

'A highly browsable visual feast' C20 Magazine

'The hundreds of eye-popping illustrations provoke both delight and nostalgia.' 
Wall Street Journal

'One of those rare books that'll give the layperson a formal education and still entice the self-professed experts' It's Nice That

'An essential guide to the mid-century style' Creative Bloq

‘a welcome survey of a vibrant and witty design approach prevalent in the 1940s, 50s and early 60s.’ Eye Magazine 

- Publisher: Batsford

- Author: Theo Inglis

- Price: £20.00

- Publication date: 2 May 2019

- Format: Hardback

- Size: 220mm x 220mm
- Pages: 256
- Images: 600+
- ISBN: 9781849944823


Purchase online from:
- Amazon (UK)
- Amazon (US)

- Foyles
- Waterstones
- Hive
- WH Smith
- Blackwell’s
- Barnes & Noble

- Target

Featuring the work of over 150 designers
and illustrators, including:

Paul Rand, Alex Steinweiss, Ray Eames, Joseph Low, Alvin Lustig, Elaine Lustig Cohen, Leo Lionni, Rudolph de Harak, Abram Games, Tom Eckersley, George Giusti, Ivan Chermayeff, Bernice Myers, Josef Albers, Corita Kent, Jerome Snyder, Hans Schleger, Irving Harper, Lewitt-Him, Ray Johnson, Doritt Dekk, Jim Flora, Herbert Matter, Bill charmatz, Dick Bruna, Aliki, Paul Peter Piech, Barbara Jones, Andy Warhol, Ben Shahn, Saul Bass, Miroslav Sasek, Alan Fletcher, Naiad and Walter Einsel, Antonio Frasconi, Eileen Evans, Ladislav Sutnar, Jacqueline Groag, Hans Unger, Reid Miles, Abner Graboff, S. Neil Fujita, Jack Wolfgang Beck, Marian Mahler, Erik Nitsche, Daphne Padden, Fredun Shapur, John Alcorn, Alice and Martin Provensen, Roy Kuhlman, Clare Romano Ross, David Gentleman, Herbert Bayer and Helen Borten.

Author Bio:
Theo Inglis is a design writer and graphic designer who specialises in post-war design. He has written for many design magazines and websites, including Grafik, Eye, Creative Review, AIGA Eye On Design, The Recorder and Monotype. Additionally, he holds an MA in Critical Writing in Art and Design from the Royal College of Art. He also runs the Tumblr account midcenturymoderndesign.tumblr.com, which has over 30,000 followers.