Graphic Design: New issue Gratuitous Type knocks our ruddy socks off

There are many great things about the latest issue of Gratuitous Type, Elana Schlenker’s gorgeous printed publication celebrating this geekiest corner of the graphics world. The third instalment is the first based around a theme; kicking off with colour (or “color” as the Canadian publishers insist on having it…).

Firstly, it’s subtitled “A pamphlet of typographic smut” which is just a really excellent sentence whichever way you look at it. Secondly, it’s really nicely designed, from the die-cut wrap-around cover to the change-up of paper stock on the centrefold and the image-rich layouts. Thirdly, the names involved are eclectically international and uniformly excellent; from long-time favourites of ours like Hato Press, Hvass & Hannibal and Jordy van den Nieuwendijk (who designed the risograph postcard which comes with the magazine) to Bendita Gloria and Fanette Mellie.

But most of all what I love is that while typographic celebrations are often visual affairs, Elana’s editorial approach results in genuinely insightful interviews to run alongside the (plentiful) aesthetic perving on offer.