Vaughan Oliver: Visceral Pleasures

This is a really great book. I have been a real fan of Vaughan Oliver's work ever since I bought a dusty Colourbox 12 inch in a record store in Michigan in like 6th grade. He has maintained a consistent edge in his graphic sensibilities for longer than any other designer I can think of. His prolific work for the 4AD label in the UK is unparalleled in the current design world. And his subsequent companies 23 envelope and v23 have been hugely influential in the design community for almost 2 decades now.What remains constant is his connection to the text and image work of the early 20th century avante-garde designers of russia, germany and france. he has a great slant on using image and text in a way that creates depth and bold contrasts. his work can be both blindingly graphic and casually beautiful, almost simultaniously.this book represents an entire career of his work for 4AD, including album covers, promotional materials, poster artwork, and also an overview of many of his other clients, many of which have also shared his sensibilities in design, and allowed each project to both compliment his previous body of work, but also mark out some new creative statements. Its really a great source of inspiration for designers, and music lovers alike!

If you know design AND happen to be a discriminating music lover, you almost certainly know who Vaughan Oliver is. This pioneering founder of 23 Envelope (later v23) collaborated with 4AD records in the UK since 1981 to help launch the careers and identities of such seminal acts as Cocteau Twins, Pixies, the Breeders, Modern English, Throwing Muses, The Wolfgang Press, His Name Is Alive and many others (Oliver rarely worked with Dead Can Dance--4AD's most successful act). "Visceral Pleasures," which should fit nicely on your shelf next to Oliver's other monograph "This Rimy River," explores more than just his record sleeve work. We get a look at Oliver's more broad career and background as a graphic designer, and get some great inside information and insight into his process and the experience of working with 4AD and its artists. It goes without saying that this book is gorgeously produced and a beautiful thing simply to hold in your hands.

The book itself is a testament to Vaughn's design skills. It is elegantly crafted, with a classic and subtle typographic style which complements the overall clean book layout. This creates a subtle visual landscape which allows the actual works being shown within it's pages to burst out and demand notice. It speaks of Oliver's ability to subjugate his own ego and serve the message.After flipping through the book in it's entirety, one gains the proper perspective regarding the magnitude of Oliver's impact on the 4AD brand. His is the visual expression of the sound which has come to be associated with the bands on this label. 4AD itself is more than just a label, it is the product of one man's dedication to independant music. Together, Oliver and the people which make up 4AD, struck that creative chord which can't be formulated. It was a matter of the right people at the right time getting together and playing off of each other artistically, to create a visual and audio brand which is still viable today. Creative relationships of that sort don't happen often, and when they do, it almost always furthers the medium, as evidenced here.Vaughn Oliver's work has influenced an entire generationf of designers who most likely discovered his work through their love of the music on the 4AD label. The book does an amzing job of "telling the tale." It not only showcases Oliver's works, but provides a visual and textual history of his relationship with 4AD. Rick Poyner is a long time writer of the design business and design in general, making him the perfect choice to tell this tale.For most of us in the design realm who listened to these bands in high school and college, this book is a record of the soundtrack and "visualtrack" of that particular time in our lives. And, for those who are just getting familar with Oliver's work, this book does a great job of giving the appropriate amount of textual and visual information to form a portrait of one of design's most influencial and innovative figures.

I recently purchased this book after months and months of waiting. When I heard that a book was to be published about Vaughan Oliver and his wonderful career thus far in graphic design, I just couldn't wait. After all the wait, I am happy to say that I am quite pleased with the content of this book.Unlike the last book, 'This Rimy River' which was a catalogue of all his work 1988-1994, this book contains a good balance of text and pictures. The text, which was lacking in other books, gives an in-depth look at Vaughan Oliver and his history of design. The pictures are beautiful especially the new ones that were made especially for this book.Many designers will enjoy all the older pieces found throughout the book while there are many samples of his more recent work. This book is a definite must since many of his previous books are hard to find and out of print.

Though there are several books available featuring Vaughn Oliver's work, it is not until Rick Poynor's excellent "Visceral Pleasures" that Vaughn's genius has been fully covered and explored. While the book is primarily a visual experience, the in depth-text allows the reader to appreciate Vaughn and his colleagues at a totally different level. I have been a big fan of Vaughn Oliver and 23 Envelope/v23--all because of 4AD (Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance, Red House Painters). In many ways, I got into design/computer graphics--as a career--because of Vaughn's influence. This is the book I have been waiting for! I also like the price (most of his books, especially the rare or out-of-print ones, are way too expensive--I have them anyway though...).