Eight Symbols (Norman Ives)

In 1960, Norman Ives prepared this beautiful book of symbols and logos. It was designed and printed by his student Hiram Ash and selected for the AIGA 50 Books/50 Covers show in 1961. In it are eight symbols by Ives (plus an intro by Josef Albers). Sometimes there are transparent vellum overlays which turn the symbols into dimensional patterns. It’s an easy read and a pleasant distraction and a thoughtful discourse on the graphic representation of one thing for another. And this copy was inscribed by Ives to Jerry Cinamon, a Boston-born designer who studied at MassArt and Yale and then spent the bulk of his career designing for Penguin Books in England. He spent his later years pointing out typos in our emails and publications and researching German designers. His work (like this book) has been an invaluable resource and evergreen source of inspiration.