Most Popular Books by Chip Kidd

Fresh out of college in the summer of 1961, Happy lands his first job as a graphic designer (okay, art assistant) at a small Connecticut advertising agency populated by a cast of endearing eccentrics. Life for Happy seems to be -- well, happy. But when he''s assigned to design a newspaper ad recruiting participants for an experiment in the Yale Psychology Department, Happy can''t resist responding to the ad himself. Little does he know that the experience will devastate him, forcing a reexamination of his past, his soul, and the nature of human cruelty -- chiefly, his own. Written in sharp, witty prose and peppered with absorbing ruminations on graphic design, The Learners again shows that Chip Kidd''s writing is every bit as original, stunning, and memorable as his celebrated book jackets.

A fun, playful look at the importance of first impressions—in design and in life—from acclaimed book designer Chip Kidd. First impressions are everything. They dictate whether something stands out, how we engage with it, whether we buy it, and how we feel. In Judge This, renowned designer Chip Kidd takes us through his day as he takes in first impressions of all kinds. We follow this visual journey as Kidd encounters and engages with everyday design, breaking down the good, the bad, the absurd, and the brilliant as only someone with a critical, trained eye can. From the design of your morning paper to the subway ticket machine to the books you browse to the smartphone you use to the packaging for the chocolate bar you buy as an afternoon treat, Kidd reveals the hidden secrets behind each of the design choices, with a healthy dose of humor, expertise, and of course, judgment as he goes. Judge This is a design love story, exposing the often invisible beauty and betrayal in simple design choices—ones most of us never even think to notice. And with each object, Kidd proves that first impressions, whether we realize it or not, have a huge impact on the way we perceive the world.

Now in paperback: Chip Kidd''s introduction to graphic design for kids.

A hilarious debut novel that could only be described as a portrait of the designer as a young man. "Um...so what exactly is a Cheese Monkey?" Good question. But strictly off-limits. We can tell you that The Cheese Monkeys is a witty and effervescent coming-of-age novel about headless waterfowl, fake plastic babies, and the basic tenets of graphic design. It''s 1957, long before computers have replaced the trained eye and skillful hand. Our narrator at State U is determined to major in Art, and after several risible false starts, he ends up by accident in a new class called "Introduction to Graphic Design." Art 127 is taught by the enigmatic Winter Sorbeck, professor and guru (think Gary Cooper crossed with Darth Vader) -- equal parts genius, seducer, and sadist. Sorbeck is a bitter yet fascinating man whose assignments hurl his charges through a gauntlet of humiliation and heartache, shame and triumph, ego-bashing and enlightenment. Along the way, friendships are made and undone, jealousies simmer, the sexual tango weaves and dips. As readers, we too are under Sorbeck''s bizarre spell, spurred on by his demand: "Show me something I''ve never seen before and will never be able to forget-if you can do that, you can do anything." By the end of The Cheese Monkeys, the members of Art 127 will never see the world the same way again. And, thanks to Chip Kidd''s insights into the secrets of graphic design, neither will you. "Not only has Chip Kidd altered the face of publishing with his revolutionary book jackets, he has also written a really good debut novel (the bastard), and the big surprise is that the edgy, postmodern graphic designer who radicalized the way we look at the front of books is a pleasing, elegant traditionalist between covers. The Cheese Monkeys is a touching throwback: The story of an innocent young man''s education, it has suspense, likable and vivid characters, a romantic, pitch-perfect re-creation of late ''50s behavior and slang, and an effortlessly sustained comic charm throughout (and without curdling into cuteness -- not a simple achievement). I also can''t remember the last time I read what is ostensibly a ''college'' novel that actually taught me something." -- Bret Easton Ellis

Gotham City is undergoing one of the most expansive construction booms in its history. The most prestigious architects from across the globe have buildings in various phases of completion all over town. As chairman of the Gotham Landmarks Commission, Bruce Wayne has been a key part of this boom, which signals a golden age of architectural ingenuity for the city. And then, the explosions begin. All manner of design-related malfunctions--faulty crane calculations, sturdy materials suddently collapsing, software glitches, walkways giving way and much more--cause casualties across the city. This bizarre string of seemingly random, unconnected catastrophes threaten to bring the whole construction industry down. Fingers are pointed as Batman must somehow solve the problem and find whoever is behind it all.--From Amazon.

From Lisa Birnbach, the author of The Official Preppy Handbook, comes True Prep, which looks at how the old guard of natural-fiber-loving, dog-worshipping, G&T-soaked preppies adapts to the new order of the Internet, cell phones, rehab, political correctness, reality TV, and . . . polar fleece.

Following on from the huge success of Tim Burton''s darkly different and densely moody Batman movies, Batman: The Animated Series broke new ground of its own when it premiered in 1992. The series continues to amaze adult viewers and professionals alike with its epic scope and style. pre-production sketches, storyboards, character designs and finished paintings -- all in glorious full colour and on high quality, art stock paper. The accompanying text charts the evolution of the series and includes details on every main character and the celebrity voice-artists who bring them to life. Plus, a full episode guide to the series.

Enjoy the ultimate companion to a comics masterpiece, as award-winning artist Gibbons gives his own account of the genesis of "Watchmen" and opens his vast personal archives to reveal never-published pages, original character designs, page thumbnails, sketches, and more.

The Eisner Award-nominated tribute to Charles M. Schulz--newly repackaged for the 70th anniversary of Peanuts Charles M. Schulz believed that the key to cartooning was to take out the extraneous details and leave in only what''s necessary. For 50 years, he wrote and illustrated Peanuts, the single most popular and influential comic strip in the world. Renowned designer Chip Kidd was granted unprecedented access to the extraordinary archives of the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center in Santa Rosa, California. Only What''s Necessary reproduces the best of the Peanuts newspaper strip, all shot from the original art by award-winning photographer Geoff Spear, and features exclusive, rare, and unpublished original art and developmental work--much of which has never been seen before.

"For years Jack Cole labored dutifully as a cartoonist, comic book illustrator, and Playboy''s premier artist. He was, on the outside, a mild-mannered and easygoing guy. One look at his most famous creation--the manic, surreal Plastic Man--and there is no question that much more lurked in the mind of this tragic artist than anyone suspected. Pulitzer Prize-winning writer and cartoonist Art Spiegelman and renowned graphic designer Chip Kidd pay homage to Plastic Man and his creator, Jack Cole."--Jacket.

In time for the 70th anniversary of Charles M. Schulz’s beloved comic strip Peanuts comes this deluxe poster book, with 20 posters Celebrate the 70th anniversary of Peanuts with this appealing, first-ever poster collection. From Charlie Brown to Woodstock, the gang’s all here in 20 art prints of the beloved comic strip—all photographed from the archives of the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center in Santa Rosa, California.

The Eisner Award-nominated tribute to Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz--repackaged for the beloved strip''s 75th anniversary u200bReproducing the best of the Peanuts newspaper strip, all shot from the original art by award-winning photographer Geoff Spear, Only What''s Necessary also features exclusive, rare, and unpublished original art and developmental work--much of which has never been seen before. Charles M. Schulz (1922-2000) believed that the key to cartooning was to take out the extraneous details and leave in only what''s necessary. For 50 years, from October 2, 1950, to February 13, 2000, Schulz wrote and illustrated Peanuts, the single most popular and influential comic strip in the world. In all, 17,897 strips were published, making it "arguably the longest story ever told by one human being," according to Robert Thompson, professor of popular culture at Syracuse University. For Only What''s Necessary: Charles M. Schulz and the Art of Peanuts, renowned designer Chip Kidd was granted unprecedented access to the extraordinary archives of the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center in Santa Rosa, California.

Perfect for the comic lover, this is a wealth of rare Batman treasures drawn from the author''s own collection, and such fans as Andy Warhol and the DC Comics archives. 400 illustrations. of color photos. 5 gatefolds.

Timed for the 60th anniversary, the iconic and influential first issue of the Fantastic Four by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, deconstructed by award-winning designer Chip Kidd; with text by novelist Walter Mosley, Marvel editor Tom Brevoort, and historian Mark Evanier; and photographs by Geoff Spear The first issue of Fantastic Four by legendary creators Stan Lee and Jack Kirby introduced fans to a now-iconic team of Super Heroes--Mister Fantastic, the Invisible Girl, the Human Torch, and the Thing--ushering in the modern Marvel Age of comics. Kirby''s artistic contributions in this comic book revolutionized visual storytelling and brought a new reality to the way comics stories could be told, the ripple effects of which continue to influence comic book art to this day. Sixty years after its publication in November 1961, this stunning reimagining by award-winning graphic designer Chip Kidd uses an original copy of the comic book (which initially sold for ten cents and now sells for astronomical prices in good condition) to present the classic story in a whole new way that is sure to engage both lifelong fans and the latest generation of Marvel enthusiasts. The book also includes text by bestselling novelist Walter Mosley, Marvel editor Tom Brevoort, and historian Mark Evanier (Kirby: King of Comics). Stunningly photographed by award-winning photographer Geoff Spear, Fantastic Four no. 1 is showcased as you''ve never seen it before--oversized and remastered--a panel-by-panel exploration of the entire issue that captures every single detail and nuance of Lee''s story and Kirby''s groundbreaking artwork, making it a must-have for every comic book collection.

Chip Kidd is recognized worldwide as one of the best graphic designers working today, especially in book design. This is a much anticipated follow-up to Chip Kidd: Book One, where he not only showcases his most recent work, but demonstrates the relationship he has with some of the world''s most influential authors and sheds light into his passion for the art of book-making and most recent expansion to other media design like film posters, magazine covers, and artist collaborations. This book is a must-have for designers and all book-lovers interested in the man responsible for some of the most recognizable book covers in the world. CHIP KIDD, BOOK TWO is a work of art itself, a book on a designer described as "a design demigod," and "the closest thing to a rock star" in graphic design. The book will feature all of Kidd''s book designs from the years 2007 to 2017, including book cover designs for best-selling authors Haruki Murakami, Cormac McCarthy, Orhan Pamuk, Augusten Burroughs, and David Sedaris, each whom share insight on Kidd''s creative process and the importance his designs have had on their work.

Chip Kidd and Michael Cho, Neal Adams, Joe Quinones and Maris Wicks, John Arcudi and Sean Murphy, and Howard Mackie and Chris Samnee all lend their unique styles to stories centering on the world of the Dark Knight Detective, Batman, in this debut issue!

The classic boxed set captures the golden age of the Caped Crusader with an exclusive, fully articulated action figure of the early Batman; the first-ever facsimile reprint of the first Batman comic book; and a lavishly illustrated, full-color hardcover book detailing Batman''s early years. Color images.

An illustrated volume features original comic book artwork that depicts DC Comics'' most significant characters and artists, in a tribute that showcases both pop culture favorites and lesser-known classics.