Both a practical and inspirational book filled with color combinations for any design and illustration project.

The use of color and its combinations creatively in illustration, graphic and product design also implies understanding what emotions they convey and how they affect our design and illustrations. We must also consider that color is also perceived differently in different countries and cultures. All this is widely explained in this second book in the Palette Perfect series, illustrated with projects by renowned international illustrators and designers, and organized by colors (identified with CMYK, RGB and HEX codes) and moods associated with the time of day. Diverging from the traditional segmentation of the color wheel, the book is divided into 24 chapters, each one being an hour of the day. This separation is represented visually by assigning a color to each hour, based on the usual daylight, temperature, mood and activities of that time, in the temperate climate zone. For example, the first chapters are the first hours of the morning, where the sky and the overall light is present but less intense. Around 1 pm the temperature is usually hotter, therefore represented with warmer colors (yellow and red); after midnight, the focus is put on activities that could be done at that time, like the neon lights of nightclubs. Based on real examples drawn from graphic, product and illustration, different innovative combinations and palettes are shown for each color and the meaning it conveys. Intended for graphic designers, design students, fashion and interior decoration lovers, and all those interested in exciting and unexpected color combinations that work.

Part of a
well-known book series on contemporary art jewelry by jeweler Nicolás Estrada,
this completely new edition of New Earrings (not a single piece from the
2013 edition has been included) highlights the work of some of the most
exciting and innovative international jewelry artists working today. The more
than 550 pieces featured by 198 jewelers from all over the world break away
from the traditional notion of jewelry making to stake out new terrain. They
represent a variety of creative approaches and methods, from more traditional
to strikingly avant-garde creations, that speak and inspire, embodying all the
ingenuity, flair, eloquence, sensitivity and individual freedom of their
diverse creators. Some of the earrings are made using unconventional materials
like porcelain or plastic while others use classical materials such as gold in
ways that provocatively go against the grain of convention, reflecting the
artist's personal identity and tastes or containing a subtle commentary on
contemporary concerns. Aimed at students, professionals and jewelry lovers, this
second edition of the book published in 2013, has a new layout and concludes
with a brief description of the careers and webpages of the featured artists.

Aimed to fashion students and designers, Palette Perfect is both a practical guide and an inspirational book that proposes a reflection on the universe of colour combinations, the moods and atmospheres they evoke and how we associate particular places and emotions to special colours. Each chapter explores a particular mood and describes the corresponding feelings and color combinations, using as examples exquisite photographs of objects, still-lives, landscapes, interiors and fashion. At the end of each chapter, a wide variety of palettes representing the chapter's particular mood or atmosphere is included.

A captivating book that takes you on a journey through the world of reverse colouring that will unleash your creativity and allow your imagination to soar. The book has the colors, you draw the lines.

Immerse yourself in hours of fun and creativity with the mesmerizing world of reverse colouring. This unique artistic activity combines the meditative qualities of colouring, the cognitive stimulation of puzzles, and the freedom to express your creativity. Each page invites you to slow down, let go and allow your pen to wander freely, finding its way on the page. With a watercolour image as the background, all you need is a pen as you trace shapes, draw patterns, shade, or even cover areas with dots. This simple, deeply satisfying meditative activity will calm your mind while strengthening your artistic self-confidence. The author takes you on a stroll through lush and flowery landscapes, inviting you to imagine what happens next as you set the rules and create your own magical atmosphere. You can be realistic, have a vision or set your imagination free as if you were gazing at clouds in the sky. With 50 original works of art printed on special drawing paper, you have the perfect canvas to unleash your creativity and let your imagination soar. This reverse colouring book for adults offers a delightful escape from the ordinary, an entertaining blend of relaxation, puzzle-solving, and artistic expression, all in one immersive experience. Indulge in the joy of reverse colouring and discover the soothing power it brings to your life. Let the magic of reverse colouring ignite your creativity and bring a new level of inspiration to your artistic journey.

The intimate relationship of Japanese tattooing with the dark world of the yakuza has helped cover this form of artistic expression with an aura of mystery. But the culture of irezumi is deep and rich in meanings, shapes and motifs that have gone from color woodblock prints to being applied to the skin to beautify and protect their bearers. This richly illustrated book reveals the meaning and the secrets behind the most significant motifs from traditional Japanese tattooing--such as mythological and supernatural creatures, animals, Buddhist deities, flowers and historical characters--and turns this art form into a path toward personal knowledge and individual expression. Readers will discover the origin and meaning of each visual representation of the most frequent themes in this art form. The publication begins with a brief review of the history of Japanese tattoo art and then examines each subject (water, mythological animals, real animals, mythological characters, historical characters, flowers, shunga and yokai) through images and descriptive texts; it also includes a gallery of original designs by the author and a glossary.

A representative selection of the work of some of the best ceramic artists and an insightful and visually rich book about ceramics and the origins of creativity.

This book contains a representative selection of the work of some of the best ceramic artists in the world. The 25 featured artists explain, in their own words, the creative processes behind their work, what inspires them, the strategies they use to stay fresh and creative, what distinguishes their work from that of other ceramic artists and how they achieve this. Through examples of their most personal creations--objects capable of affecting us emotionally, surprising us and making us think--the artists reveal important details about their ceramic creations: how it was made, how it was shaped, which glaze and engobe coating they used to give the clay color and texture, the firing temperature of the kiln and the type of kiln chosen. The reader is provided with an illuminating glimpse into each artist's unique creative world, where they point out the defining features of their work and reveal some of the secrets that characterize their artistic processes. Paragons of exploration, risk and versatility, the extraordinary artists highlighted in this book rediscover thousand-year-old traditions, reinvent perspectives, transcend boundaries, tell stories and rebel from conventional expectations, creating in the process an exhilarating space where art, clay, water, air and fire meet and, ultimately, inspire.

CERAMISTS INCLUDED. ARGELIA: Nathalie Doyen (Belgium). BELGIUM: Ann VanHoey. CHINA: Wan Liya. FRANCE: Monsieur Cailloux. GERMANY: Monika Debus. INDIA: Madhvi Subrahmanian. IRLAND: Nuala O'Donovan. ITALY: Paola Paronetto. JAPAN: Shozo Michikawa, Kaori Kurihara (now France), Yuko Nishikawa (now USA). MEXICO: Gustavo Pérez. NETHERLANDS: Cecil Kemperink. NIGERIA: Ngozi Omeje Ezema. POLAND: Monika Patuszynska. SPAIN: Ícaro Maiterena, Xabier Montsalvaje, María Oriza, Myriam Jiménez Huertas, Ana Felipe, Roger Coll. UK: Alice Walton, Nicholas Lees. USA: Lauren Nauman, Godeleine de Rosamel.

This book presents tattoos in Japan with all their astounding richness and sophistication. The history of this unique folk art, its meaning, social background, and evolution as well as a collection of rare interviews with master tattooists made over the past thirty years.

In the world of tattoo art, few traditions can rival the elaborate and refined artistry of Japanese tattoos. In this richly illustrated book, The Japanese Tattoo, by the French historian and journalist who specialises in Japan and Korea Phillipe Pons, readers will find a wealth of detailed information about the history of this unique folk art, its relation to literature and art plus great colour photographs of their work. Remarkable for the richness of their iconography, the balance of their compositions, and their refinement in details, Japanese tattoos have seduced since the fifteenth century Western travellers, merchants and later, in the 18th and 19th century sailors, soldiers, eccentrics and artists such as Degas, Monet, and Toulouse-Lautrec. Yet, despite its cultural significance and aesthetic beauty, while recognised worldwide, tattoos don't share in Japan itself the status and official recognition and support of other traditional art forms such as 'the way of tea', the flower arrangement (Ikebana), or Kabuki theatre. The book explains why and shows the historical influence of Japanese tattooing on the worldwide tattoo community and its integration into the modern global cultural landscape. Readers will learn about the shift from 'brocade skins' covering the entire body to the current Japanese tattoo renaissance where 'one-point' tattoos are favoured by young people which combine ancient motifs and anime, to the point where traditionalists are wondering if the 'tattoo' is losing its authenticity. With over 270 illustrations, this book is a powerful tribute to the artistry, skill, and enduring charm of Japanese tattooing. Perfect for tattoo enthusiasts, this comprehensive and visually stunning book is a must-have also for East Asian art lovers and those with an appreciation for cultural traditions.

Featuring countless contemporary layout examples and practical information, New Page Design provides readers with a solid technical foundation for successful editorial design.

Now in paperback, New Page Design offers a comprehensive technical explanation of basic layout principles, a crucial graphic design field that covers the arrangement of typefaces, images, colours, objects, and grids on a page. New Page Design presents also a panorama of contemporary editorial design trends and styles through a selection of 100 projects, from newspapers and magazines to catalogues, books, brochures and posters. Supported by case studies and tips and tricks, within this book readers will gain an overall understanding of the fundamentals of editorial design, including paper size, typographic units, the history of typography and the styles of different typefaces, layout elements, interaction between sections, and the optimum way to visually convey a message. It is a perfect reference for designers who are looking for practical solutions and inspiration. The book includes interviews with Bruch --Idee & Form, Any Studio, Pyramid and Linus Lohoff.

Designers included and the countries they are working from at the moment of publication. Argentina: Mane
Tatoulian. Australia: M.
Giesser. Austria: Bruch--Idee & Form, Dominik Langegger. Brazil: Candice
Alencar, Nayelli Jaraba, Estúdio Lampejo, Lucas Depolo Machado. Canada: Blok
Design. Chile: Cristóbal Riesco. Denmark: Line Marie Rasmussen, Rasmus Jappe
Kristiansen. Finland: Bond
Creative Agency, Finland Tania Hoffrén, France:
Empire, Syndicat, GeneralPublic,
My Name is Wendy, Studio Fréro. Germany: Any Studio, Bureau Borsche, Carina
Mähler, komma team, Miriam König, Moby Digg, Slanted Publishers. Guatemala: Andrés
Higueros (+Mexico). Italy: Brando
Corradini, Carla Cabras, Due Collective, Gusto IDS, Muttnik. Poland: Karolina
Pietrzyk. Portugal: Sofia Felgueiras. Russia: Alsu Gilmanova, Ekaterina
Nikolaeva, Galya Dautova and Karina Yazylyan, Timur Babaev . Spain: Clara.B
Landín, creanet, David Reca, Leticia Ortín, Linus Lohoff. Sweden: Amanda & Erik, Studio Ahremark. The Netherlands: Format Wars.
Turkey: Fatih Hardal. UK: Pyramid
(+Portugal), Vincenzo Marchese Ragona. USA: Brian Liu (LA, CA), Pouya Ahmadi (Chigago,
IL), Sagmeister & Walsh (NY, NY).

Lauren Wager's follow up to her bestselling Color Collective's Palette Perfect features a fresh approach to color combinations with entirely new palettes, organized by season.

What color is summer? Is it a cool and translucent swimming pool aquamarine, brilliant watermelon red, or the pale pink interior of a seashell? If these colors define summer, what color is autumn? How about winter? And spring? In Palette Perfect, Volume 2, designer and best-selling author Lauren Wager explores the multiple possibilities of seasonal color applications, leading the reader through an inspirational presentation of image pairings and color combinations. The color palettes are portrayed in a fresh and dynamic way that allows the reader to see how certain colors play off each other in foreground and background, close together and further apart. This format is a different take on color palettes than Volume 1, and still provides the RGB and CMYK values for artists that would like to translate the colors for web and print. This volume--both a practical guide and inspirational book for designers, illustrators, architects, and crafters, as well home decoration and fashion lovers, professional or otherwise--provides examples of color application within the worlds of contemporary art, fashion, interiors, photography and graphic design. It is a carefully gathered collection of color palettes and stunning images with a touch of the unexpected, utterly successful in its aim.

Designers and students and top creatives can find in this book fresh trends, inspiring content and new sources of inspiration in the world of typography.

The World's Best Typography: The Yearbook of the Type Directors Club of NY (published for the first time 1980) is a bible of inspiration for typography practitioners and enthusiasts. Within its pages, top creatives as well as publishers and students can find role models, fresh trends, inspiring content and new sources of inspiration. Readers will be inspired by the intersection of craftsmanship and creation, of classical skills and trailblazing innovations. Here, trends are identified and set, as the around 750 illustrations, 203 awarding-winning designs from 41 countries and 37 new fonts presented clearly illustrate. From kinetic typography to motion design, from packaging to magazines, from corporate design to architectural communication: the world's most creative people compete against each other here and the winning works are breathtaking. Previously divided into two competitions, one each for Communications Design and Typeface Design, the program is now a single competition consisting of three disciplines: Type Design, Typography and Lettering. This edition also includes a special index listing the principal typefaces used and the names of their designers. The Judges' Choices section features the winning entries that have been singled out as each judge's personal favorite; these pieces are accompanied not only by the judges' comments but also by designer statements. The Award for Typographic Excellence is the ticket to the best agencies in the world. The yearbook also reflects the latest typography trends, sets standards, is a collector's item and distinguishes its owners as visual thought leaders.

JURY MEMBERS

TDC70 Communication Design Jury
Maria Asare-Boadi: Art Director at Meta, New York, San Francisco, Washington D.C.
Andy Chen: Partner at Isometric Studio, NYC (US), Taipei, Karachi
Mark De Winne: Creative Director at Relay Room / Multitudes, Singapore
Manija Emran: Co-Founder & Creative Director at Me & the Bootmaker, Los Angeles, London, Montreal & Paris
Emily Oberman: Partner at Pentagram, New York City
Tala Safie: Graphics and Multimedia Editor at The New York Times, New York, Lebanon
Yoshihisa Shirai: Graphic Designer, Professor, at Shirai Design Studio, Musashino Art University Tokyo

TDC70 Lettering Jury
Alanna Flowers: Lettering Artist & Designer at AGF Design Studio, New York City
Ricardo González Contreras: Artist/Designer at IT'S A LIVING, New York, Mexico City, Tokyo
Ilana Griffo: Co-owners at Goodtype (GOODTYPE), New York, Rochester, Austin
Ben Johnston: Artist & Designer, Cape Town / Toronto / New York
Ken-Tsai Lee: Associate professor, at ken-tsai lee design Lab/Taiwan TECH. Taipei
Lygia Pires: Lettering Artist, Illustrator and Graphic Designer at Lygia Pires Studio São Paulo
Arley Torsone: Letterer, Designerer, Illustratorer at Ladyfingers Letterpress, Colorado Springs, Providence, New York

TDC70 Type Design Jury
Nada Abdallah: Assistant Professor at College of Fine Arts and Design, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, Dubai and Beirut
Elí Castellanos: Font developer at CocijoType, Queretaro, London, Oaxaca
Jo De Baerdemaeker: Typeface designer, font developer and scholar at studio type, Antwerp, Lhasa and Hohhot
Cyrus Highsmith: Creative Director at Occupant Fonts, Providence, Tokyo, Osaka
Carolina Laudon: MFA Graphic Designer, Type Designer and Type Director at Laudon Design AB, Gothenburg, Stockholm
Sammy Or: Type Director at VMType, Hong Kong
Isao Suzuki: Director, Type Director at Type Project Inc., Tokyo

This book features twenty-eight real-life animals, and the myths and literature, paintings, drawings, textiles and ceramics they have inspired some of the most celebrated Japanese artists and writers to create.
Since the dawn of Japanese folklore and religion, the Japanese soul has cultivated a special connection with nature and wildlife, in part due to the natural abundance of the Japanese archipelago. Every animal, from the frightening crow to the sublime crane, is sacred, occupying a central place in Japanese mythology, literature, arts, and crafts. In this text-rich art book, readers will find twenty-eight real-life animals, including the fox, frog, cat, monkey, and firefly, described in texts combining haikus, tales and anecdotes from everyday life and illustrated with objects produced by the some of the most celebrated Japanese craftsmen and artists, such as Hokusai, Utagawa Hiroshige and Ohara Koson. Readers will see just how central animals -from the most fleeting to the most majestic, from the wildest to the most domesticated -are to Japanese legends and literature but also in the latest manga and animated films. In some cases, the animals are transformed and endowed with human attributes; in others, through a representative selection of Japanese art -paintings, prints, fashion and common Japanese objects such as netsuke (miniature sculptures)- they appear lovingly portrayed in their natural environment: typical animals of the countryside, mountains, forests, rivers and sea, and even today's cities. While most of the animals in this Japanese bestiary are good omens, some are a tad mischievous and others uniquely sacred, such as the sika deer or the crane. All are invested with strong symbolism and have become extremely popular in a country where everything is ephemeral and transient, yet everything remains. Japanese Bestiary is an ideal book for anyone interested in Japanese drawing and painting, animal illustrations and wildlife art and literature.

A practical guide for anyone who wants to be inspired by the wide variety of possibilities offered by this easy-to-use technique including an overview of the work of print shops, design studios and artists from all over the world.

In recent years risography has captured the attention of printers and artists, especially in independent and self-publishing circles, given the technical and visual qualities it offers. Varied and vivid spot colors, the warmth of the finishes, and occasional imperfections in uniformity and register are just some of these attractive features. The book begins by giving readers a brief history of the Risograph while outlining the basic principles of the printing process, including the equipment, tools and materials needed to get started. Designed mainly for high-volume photocopying and printing, Risographs are far less expensive than conventional photocopy machines and laser or ink printers. Rich in illustrations, pictures, detailed instructions and infographics, this practical guide to Risograph printing will teach readers how to set up a Risograph, how to prepare files to print, how to make overprints and knockouts, how to choose paper, how to handle freshly printed works, what ink to use and about any additional equipment they will need to become a Riso master. An ideal primer for novice users of a Riso printer, readers will also learn how to apply artistic printing techniques that will allow them to print with brighter, more expressive, saturated colors that, unlike photocopy ink, do not fade over time. The book also includes profiles of notable printers, with one featured work of Riso art and the printing technique used. In addition to examples of printed products, readers will find works from contributing print shops and information about design studios and artists from around the world. The book will broaden the reader's printing horizons and illustrate the extensive variety of possibilities offered by this relatively straightforward technique, inspiring them through the prints of others to create their own riso art.

An inspiring guide for learning to recognise and paint the beauty of wild flowers and the untamed nature that surrounds us.

Poppies, plantains, elderberries, chamomile, wild roses...
These are just a few of the wildflowers that we come across in our gardens or
during walks. For the watercolourist, however, their translucent petals and
subtle hues are irresistible. In this inspiring how-to book, Gaëtane Nicoulin,
a passionate watercolourist and lover of nature, teaches us how to recognise
and paint wildflowers, providing readers with the watercolour techniques we
need to paint flowers that grow naturally in fields and meadows. The author
invites us to go out and encounter these flowers ourselves, sharpening our
observation and interpretation skills and developing our own style. A valuable
resource for artists at all levels, the book includes a step-by-step study of
20 plants and 5 detailed projects for creating floral compositions, in addition
to specific painting techniques and tips. Gaëtane's approach to flowers is also
a celebration of the untamed nature that surrounds us, inviting us to observe
and to depict wildflowers in simplified versions which capture their essence.
In addition to encouraging us to engage in a more contemplative kind of
painting, the book also offers recipes involving berries and flowers that teach
us how to identify and enjoy the many benefits of nature.

Gouache, a classic painting and drawing technique used by Turner, Toulouse-Lautrec, Picasso, Gris, Braque, Matisse and Miró, among many others, acquires in this volume a new dimension by offering a bolder approach for contemporary artists, illustrators, graphic designers and amateurs. Award-winning illustrator and art teacher Aljoscha Blau shares his many years of experience, offers material recommendations, tips for swift success, suggestions on composition, use of colour, tools and processes. And he spices it all up with his own illustrations, which are both an incentive and a feast for the eyes. By means of entertaining texts and step-by-step illustrations, Blau lays out a safe and fascinating road to success for anyone willing to improve their technique or for those who want to try it for the first time.

New Jewellery Techniques is a detailed and abundantly-illustrated reference book that focuses on the innovative curved score folding for sheet metal techniques to create beautiful, dynamic three-dimensional forms, much like metal origami, in jewelry and metalsmithing.

Anastasia Young and Paul Wells, both renowned UK-based jewelers, authors and lecturers, have created a practical visual handbook on curved scoring and folding techniques applied to jewelry and metalsmithing for small objects. The book's clear, hands-on approach, with explanatory photographs for each step, makes it an invaluable resource for established jewelers wishing to learn more about new techniques, jewelry students, home crafters and advanced amateurs. Readers will discover a wealth of information about a variety of ways to score and fold metal and give it different finishes, shaping flat sheets into to visually stunningly organic forms, including guides on the tools needed for each method. A final section contains useful resources, from a detailed analysis of score depth based on the gauge of the wire used (through diagrams to aid design and planning) to information about where to source materials and facts about metalworking and jewelry in general.

The book delves on colour palettes for fashion: the meaning of colour, where its name comes, the fabrics on which particular colours look best and the best colour combinations.

Color consultant and curator Lauren Wager, author of the best-selling Palette Perfect volumes, and colorist, designer, and trend forecaster Sophia Naureen Ahmad team up in this practical and inspirational compendium that shows us how colors can be made to come alive and achieve specific effects in fashion. With quick and easy explanations that reveal the sensations each color communicates, how they are perceived, and their effects on different fabrics, the book seeks to inspire people and to help them express themselves through color. General readers will learn how to apply and combine it in new and exciting ways in their day-to-day wardrobe while fresh insights about the use of colors will enliven the creations of fashion design professionals. Vivid photographs bring the descriptions and explanations to life, allowing us to see with our own eyes how the right fabric for each color is used in fashion to express different moods, experiences, energy, and emotions. Each chapter features a unique color that speaks to the contemporary moment in which the authors delve into the origins of each color name and explore how it acts visually and in relation to other colors. A kind of color dictionary within the world of fashion, the palettes shown in this practical guide are a great way to get inspired by colors and combinations you may not have considered before that work perfectly.

An insightful and visually rich book about illustration and the origins of creativity featuring the work of 26 illustrators with in-depth interviews where each artist discusses their ideas, inspirations and creative processes.

In Illustrators on Creative Processes, readers will find a treasure chest of images by 26 diverse illustrators from 12 different countries that the author has gathered, selected and curated for the book. The types of images and styles vary, ranging from the child-like and naïve to the poignant, suggestive and truly masterly. In addition to the 270 images, the book contains 110 drawings and pages from notebooks and sketchbooks that take the reader deeper into the nature of each artist's work. The visual elements are complemented by revealing interviews with each artist in which they discuss what compelled them to become illustrators, their inspirations, and the research, methods, personal philosophies and work processes that allow them to transform a creative impulse or an emotion into an idea, and an idea into a work of art. We learn about what drives and inspires them as well as the origins of their ideas and creativity, from an innocent curiosity about shapes and colors to the desire to share something fascinating and wonderful with others in a unique and original way.

ILLUSTRATORS FEATURED. ARGENTINA: Isol Misenta. BELGIUM: Tom Schamp. BRASIL: Flavio Morais. CANADA: Anita Kunz. FRANCE: Serge Bloch, Delphine Durand, Martin Jarrie, Hervé Tullet. IRELAND: Chris Haughton. ITALY: Simone Rea, Valerio Vidali. JAPAN: Yoshiko Hada. PORTUGAL: Ana Biscaia, Carolina Celas. SPAIN: Elisa Arguilé, Pablo Auladell, Pep Carrió, Jesús Cisneros, Isidro Ferrer, Manuel Marsol, M.A. Pérez Arteaga. SWITZERLAND: Fanny Dreyer. USA: Gary Baseman (Los Angeles, CA), Katie Benn (San Francisco, CA), Lisa Congdon (Portland, OR), Elizabeth Haidle (Portland, OR).

A visually mesmerizing book that celebrates the wide range and intensity of Jose Cisneros's artistry.

Jesús Cisneros is a celebrated international illustrator whose work is characterised by its economy of elements, simple, almost minimalist strokes, and a limited selection of colours to breathe life into highly evocative drawings. This book filled with vibrant images presents Cisneros's creative processes as the artist shares insights about inspiration, improvisation, personal style, and artistic evolution.

The author includes an illuminating interview woven throughout the text and gives glimpse into Cisneros's personal notebooks, showcasing the research and exploration that underpins his magical scenes. From experimental workshops conducted with young people worldwide to commissioned works and his own expressive and introspective pieces illustrating poetry and prose, children's books and theatre scenery, the breadth of Cisneros's art unfolds before readers' eyes.

The reader accompanies the artist as he wields brushes worn with time, dipping them into jars of paint and sketching on squares of vegetable paper. We witness the subtle interplay of pale pinks merged with pearl greys and the vigorous intensity of explosive carmine reds kissed by African browns. Cisneros's palette dances with indescribable colours, a testament to the hypnotic alchemy of his chosen paints. With a visually mesmerizing collection of his works, the book celebrates the wide range and intensity of Cisneros's artistry and how sensibility and technique combine in his illustrations, proving that great stories can be told with very little.

A visually rich book about Japanese style tattooing, far-reaching in terms of scope and depth, that offers readers a comprehensive picture of the influence of traditional Japanese tattoos on some of the best tattoo artists working in the genre today.
Irezumi, or simply tattooing, has a long history in Japanese culture. Arranged by continents, this book features a varied and diverse selection of 45 top tattoo artists from around the world, from ones whose creations are closely aligned with the traditions and values of classical Japanese tattoos, to those who take a more contemporary approach, using the Japanese style as a stepping stone for expressing their own unique vision and voice. The text is based on interviews with the artists in which they discuss their artistic backgrounds, how they got started in the world of tattooing, how they became interested in the Japanese style, and how they define their work. They also discuss some of their major influences, including other tattoo artists and traditional Japanese art forms such as ukiyo-e woodblock prints. While the earliest recorded history of tattoos is from the 5th century, a 3rd century Chinese account describes how the Japanese would tattoo themselves to delineate social classes and how sailors would apply them as protection against sea monsters. Nearly every page of the book contains large-format and detailed photographs of tattoos by the featured artists, as well as prints of some of their work, that introduce readers to new tendencies in this ancient art, reflecting the characteristics that differentiate it from other tattoo styles and illustrating the growing international popularity of Japanese style in recent years. Far-reaching in terms of scope and depth, this book offers a comprehensive picture of the influence of traditional Japanese tattooing style on some of the best tattoo artists working in the genre today.

A design tutorial by Manuela Brambatti, Versace's chief design illustrator, the book is an idea of couturier Flavio Marconi who, impressed by her drawing style, her unique taste designing fashion collections and the precision with which she captures the flow of fabric over the body, convinced her to put it into print. Here Brambatti reveals her fresh and innovative style, not better than others, as she writes, but orginal and distinctive for Versace's workshop, halfway between fashion sketching and illustration.

Manuela Brambatti began to work in the fashion world in the late '70's for the fashion magazine Style and for other magazines. She has collaborated with Giorgio Correggiari, Krizia, and Gian Marco Venturi. Employee, and later exclusive partner of the Versace fashion house from 1981 to 2009, Manuela, was crucial in setting standards in the Style magazine for the presentation of all fashion collections and their illustrations and, in recent years, the Home Collection of the Brand.

Foreword writer Bruno Gianesi worked for Gianni Versace's for sixteen years as head stylist and manager of theatrical projects. He designed costumes for respected choreographers and directors such as Maurice B jart, Roland Petit, William Forsythe, and Bob Wilson and designed also clothing for famous members of the international jet-set, including Elton John, Madonna, Lady Diana, and Sting. The journalist and foreword writer Tony di Corcia published several books about Gianni Versace.