Last night type devotees of Perth were treated to an entertaining typographic/choronologic talk by the talented Commercial Type duo Paul Barnes &  Christian Schwartz.

My favourite quote of the evening (re typeface ‘Graphik‘ utilised in Wallpaper et al): “Graphik doesn’t get in the way of Karl Lagerfeld”.

Paul & Christian are heading to other capitals in Australia as part of the AGDA International Speaker Tour, volcanic ash clouds & Qantas permitting…

Last night the Graphic Design graduates of Central Institute launched their exhibition with great panache.

I was invited to judge the Branding portfolios & was so impressed with the mature work, professional presentation and level of creativity. The Branding award was fittingly won by Amanda Hay, her folio laden with accomplished design and strong typography. To mention a couple of high-achieving contenders – Claire Lowes (loved LowDown cafe!); Edwin Visser (he’s good-to-go with a folio featuring live jobs); Dion Douglas and Megan Isabella. Advertising gal Helen King has a job in the bag already (no surprise!). Outside my brief, but winning my gold star for featuring an Elvis illustration, & wowing everyone – Shay Colley. Congrats guys! It was great to meet you all.

It’s well-worth a saunter down to the exhibition at Gallery Central Aberdeen St, open until the 28th.

UPDATE: The Exhibition is over, but view the The Cat’s Pyjama’s website here.

For your reminiscing hi-fi pleasure, some great L.P. covers from the collection of Paul’s parents… Elvis’ smouldering good looks, vertical hair, Hawaiian memories and fab type.

There was a Jane Fonda exercise workout record, but I left that one well alone.

There’s something poignant and beautiful about old illustrated tourist maps that satisfies my love of retro design – and my nosiness about people’s excursions and travels…

These fold-out maps of Paris and London are from an elderly couple who kept these as souvenirs from their early 50s trip – the London map even had a little dried sprig of foliage pressed inside.

A quick detour through the local Vinnies had me pondering the death of the LP. The large area of the cardboard sleeve provided huge acreage for artwork and typography – sometimes amazing, sometimes cringey, sometimes touching off fond memories of my parent’s collection – I’m talking Neil Diamond, Glenn Campbell, Charley Pride… wait, maybe I was flicking through their old collection?!

I had to have this Perry Como album with its saturated colour, 70s type and super-tanned Perry, and gave it a spin on the old hi-fi. I defy you to listen to ‘And I Love You So’ and not mix a martini.

50c bought this great Golden Books’ ABC rhymes record – you read along with the record, and the illustrations by Roland Rodegast and Grace Clarke are absolutely charming.

I didn’t design this lovely label… I just wish I had!
Discovered this on the weekend in the venerable ‘Bucks Off Liquor Store’ and instantly fell in love.
The gorgeous type – my kind of slab serif (maybe it’s Caecilia – one of my favourites?); the minimal effect; the wonderful silver foil; the detailed fork illustration with a lovely spot varnish… ahh. When label design works.

So I’m yet to sample its wonders, but it’s going in the fridge now, and hey, if you’re the designer, salut to you!
And please drop me a line to say so.