Cool Hunting

"Squares, Checks and Grids," the newest title in the Communicating with Pattern series from Rotovision, is an homage to the most linear of shapes. Serving as a sourcebook for designers, the book features 850 inspirational images of squares, checks and grids in a variety of contexts.

Dozens of examples of houndstooth, tartans, argyles, ginghams and western plaids explore checks in the context of textiles. Drawing on architecture and industrial design, the book has hundreds of examples of squares with an impressive section on mosaics that includes an image of the beloved Fate/Faith installation at the Lorimer/Grand subway station in Brooklyn. Using images of space invaders and "minpops," the tiny pixelized illustrations of popstars made by Chris Robinson, even pixels get their due.

With authors Mark Hampshire and Keith Stephenson's insightful introduction and helpful bits of context throughout the book, it's a great resource for designers of all stripes but particularly those who love a tight grid.

Available from Amazon.

Also on Cool Hunting: Circles and Dots