Design agency Studio PSK shares its most-loved books

Date
24 February 2016

Headed up by Patrick Stevenson-Keating, Studio PSK is an award winning communication design practice based in London. Working with brands, businesses and galleries, the studio designs objects, spaces, installations and graphics working across 2D and 3D. What sets Studio PSK apart is its collaboration with practitioners from different industries and drawing upon various sources to create thoughtful, unexpected outcomes. With this multidisciplinary approach, Studio PSK’s bookshelf, put together by Patrick and senior designer Giulia Garbin, draws upon conceptual architecture, a Ladybird book about space travel and innovative digital design, for a superbly diverse and eclectic selection.

Volker Kriegel: The Truth About Dogs

I found this hilarious illustrated book a couple of years ago at the Bookmongers in Brixton. The Truth about Dogs is a humorous homage to dogs by a dog-lover and owner who, in this canine exposé, has caught dogs in the act of committing their most doggy misdemeanours.

– Giulia Garbin, senior designer, Studio PSK

Edited by Patrick Waterhouse: Colors

I’m a big fan of the work done at Fabrica, and have been especially inspired by the organisation’s long running publication Colors. With each issue covering a different topic, the breadth but also depth of journalistic reportage, is truly impressive. It’s easy to read, despite the content often addressing very difficult subjects, ranging from protest or the role of the media to transport. The production quality and design takes you on a bit of a discovery too – they are really experimental in regards to format and layout.

– Patrick Stevenson-Keating, director, Studio PSK

Troika, Conny Freyer, Sebastien Noel, Eva Rucki: Digital by Design

I came across this book at quite a pivotal point in my personal design development, and the seminal work it showcases massively shaped my outlook on design, and the ethos within Studio PSK. It contains a number of iconic projects from artists and studios, who pioneered digital interactive design. I remember seeing work from people like Troika and rAndom International in here, and being really excited about what it might mean to be a designer working at this point in time. It still provides plenty of inspiration for us in the studio.

– Patrick Stevenson-Keating, director, Studio PSK

Published by Ladybird: Exploring Space

I’ve always been a bit of a secret science fan. My final project during university was a machine that simulated the experience of being able to look into parallel universes. At first glance, science and design might seem to be on opposite ends of the spectrum, but for me, they sit very close together. They both challenge your view of the world around you, and become more interesting the more you look.

Giulia collects old Ladybird books, primarily for their amazing illustrations, but I love this one for its content as well. It is such a romantic view of space. Its optimism about man’s journey further into the universe is beginning to echo again as the commercial space race continues. It’s an exciting time. If Space X ever need any design help, I’d be more than happy.

– Patrick Stevenson-Keating, director, Studio PSK

Jean-Francois Bizot: Free Press : Underground & Alternative Publications, 1965-1975

This book gathers together a stunning collection of prints and publications from the golden age of the Underground Press movement. Topics ranging from politics and art to film and fashion are documented in this book. The aesthetic of some of these are so raw, while others are much more considered.

– Giulia Garbin, senior designer, Studio PSK

Adrian Forty: Objects of Desire

A product design tour de force! Forty’s book is an amazingly thorough (and interesting) journey though the evolution of product design, from the pre-arts and craft movement to the adoption of domestic electricals. A fascinating account of the relationship between product design, consumerism, economics and culture. A definite must read for any product/industrial designers.

– Patrick Stevenson-Keating, director, Studio PSK

Junya Ishigami: How Small? How Vast? How Architecture Grows

I love the work of Junya Ishigami, as it takes a discipline as solid and familiar as architecture, and turns it into something completely fantastic. This book is a showcase of some of Ishigami’s conceptual architectural experiments and ideas. Nothing here is intended to be considered as a genuine proposal, but the ideas are so beautifully articulated, I can’t help but wish some of them were real. My favourites include his weather houses, which have been designed in such a way as to be able to produce natural weather systems, such as rain or wind currents, within the home.

– Patrick Stevenson-Keating, director, Studio PSK

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About the Author

Rebecca Fulleylove

Rebecca Fulleylove is a freelance writer and editor specialising in art, design and culture. She is also senior writer at Creative Review, having previously worked at Elephant, Google Arts & Culture, and It’s Nice That.

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