J.R. Geigy was a Swiss chemical company in the  50’s and 60’s. Their in-house designers played an integral role in the history of the Swiss International style. The company’s designs recently received quite a spotlight, via an exhibition at the Design Museum Zurich and the publication of Corporate Diversity : Swiss Graphic Design by Geigy. One would think that designs like these would require the use of Helvetica, but the Akzidenz Grotesk typeface was undeniably successful in many of the designs. 

A short film was also created regarding the exhibition.
Via AisleOne

Maraid has quite an array of vintage matchbook labels from Eastern Europe on Flickr. It’s fascinating to see the effects created by the bleeding inks and the unpredictable registration associated with printed materials of this scale.

Via Sci-Fi-O-Rama

I’ve never actually heard any of The Chariot’s music, but I recently saw that the band members are hand-stamping the art onto their new album, Wars And Rumors of Wars. They’ll also be signing and numbering each of the 25,000 copies. This is a great way to reach their fans and give incentive to go out and actually buy the CD. Plus, the texture created by the process of stamping gives makes the design look as if it were printed in an old newspaper, which plays nicely off of the album title.

Watch the video of the stamping process.

Via Heavy Eyes.

Norton & Sons, Savile Row Bespoke tailors, were recently given a facelift by Moving Brands. The result is a visual combination of century-old craftsmanship and powerful contemporary graphic application. The BBC even did a short documentary on the re-brand.

This collection of cassette tape inserts on Flickr is a great reference for 70’s and 80’s design vernacular.

Via The Ministry of Type.

WellMedicated has compiled a great selection of Criterion Collection Box Designs. Many Hollywood blockbuster-type films feature great photography or renderings, but the typography appears to be an afterthought. Either type is awkwardly placed, is effected in a ridiculous manner, or is just boring. The Criterion Collection box designers go the extra mile to make sure that image and type are married seamlessly through style and concept.

Via Ffffound.

Take a look at this great collection of typewriter tins on Flickr.

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Vintage Vanguard has a comprehensive collection of album covers from Blue Note records. The design and photographic work that took place at this label during the 60’s was so indicative of the culture behind jazz music. Via The Serif.

I’ll admit it, when left alone, I buy wine strictly based on the design of the label. I’m sure, to someone, that makes me completely tasteless. Regardless, when I saw this label, I was impressed and bought a bottle. After researching, I found that the makers of Hey Mambo, Don Sebastiani & Sons, have a few other bottles with good label designs.