Bookshelf: Read the top five books of Haw-Lin founders Nathan and Jacob

If you don’t know what Haw-Lin is then go home later, make a hot chocolate, turn the lights off, go to their website, lean back and scccrrroooolllllll. Haw-Lin is a meticulously curated selection of some of the finest images in the world, ever. Largely based around pop culture, vintage babes and Michael Jordan, the website also offers images as doorways to some of the best art, design and sartorial picks the web has to offer.

Nathan and Jacob are the founders of this cult blog, and here they are with their top five reads. After you’ve read their Bookshelf, check out this fantastic interview with them on Freunde von Freunden.

Dune #1, Marvel Comics (Nathan’s pick)

This comic book is based on the 1984 film adaption directed by David Lynch. Although many people consider this film to be the worst film of Lynch’s career, I have a personal if not nostalgic affection for the film, as my introduction to Dune came through a somewhat backwards path. First, I was given a Dune CD-ROM video game based on the film. Secondly, I watched the film. Finally, I read the book. Therefore this comic book seems to sum up that process and the artwork is very well done.

bauhaus typografie. Drucksachen Typografie Reklame (Jacob’s pick)

This book was designed by my university typography professor, Mr. Gerd Fleischmann. It is a nice example of the broad and experimental typographic output of the Bauhaus during the time of its existence – it is almost like a little typographic treasure box. It also features a very interesting discussion between Max Bill and Jan Tschichold and their the typographic viewpoints during the early 20th Century.

IDEA vs The Designers Republic (Complete) (Jacob’s pick)

The works of The Designers Republic have always been very inspiring too — the attention to detail and their way of working with typography and combinations of vectors with images. Their printing techniques and especially their way of working with colour still amazes me! It was such a progressive visual movement for that time. All of the projects in this book have been printed in the original colours used for the initial projects. Amazing work, amazing printing, a great piece to have and still fresh.

Usagi Yojimbo #1, Fantagraphics (Nathan’s Pick)

Usagi Yojimbo is about a samurai, or ronin, rabbit living in ancient Japan. The story references historical details intertwined within a world populated by anthropomorphic animals. The disciplined nature and numerous adventures of a samurai, communicated through the simple actions of animal comic book characters, was very appealing to me as a young boy. These days, I still appreciate the line work and storytelling.

Packaging Design in Japan (Jacob’s Pick)

I found this book a few years ago on my Dad’s bookshelf. What immediately caught my eye was the photography on its cover. The packaging designs in this book are great but what really inspires me is the way the products and packaging were photographed. I really like this Japanese way of staging the product with a very emotional and almost dramatic light, great work.