Lately
7-8 September 2024
Under the Leaf Art Book Fair, Helsinki
On September 7–8, 2024 MMS will be in Helsinki for Under the Leaf Art book fair. Under the Leaf is an art book fair in Helsinki hosting local and international exhibitors featuring a wide variety of publishing practices —from zines to artists’ books, experimental publications and contemporary art editions. MMS will be in conversation with Arja Karhumaa in relation to the publication of the forthcoming Finnish translation of Natural Enemies of Books – A Messy History of Women in Printing and Typography by Multipöly. Arja Karhumaa is a graphic designer and educator, and Associate Professor in Visual Communication Design at Aalto University. They are co-founder of the experimental publishing collective Multipöly.
September 2024
Upcoming Finnish translation
In September 2024 Multipöly (Arja Karhumaa and Maarit Bau Mustonen) will publish a Finnish translation of Natural Enemies of Books – A Messy History of Women in Printing and Typography.January 2025
Forthcoming book contribution: Thinking Through Graphic Design History
MMS contributes to the forthcoming book Thinking Through Graphic Design History edited by Aggie Toppins. The book is set to be published in January 2025 and can be pre-ordered here. The book is described like this:Graphic design has a paradoxical relationship to history. While it claims to promote originality and innovation - ideas that emphasize the new and unique - design practice is deeply embedded in previous ideals. Too often, design students encounter the past in brief visual impressions which seduce them to imitate form rather than engage with historical contexts. Even though it has claimed to be objective and even comprehensive, graphic design history has focused largely on individual careers and Eurocentric achievements.
Yet the past swells with untapped potential. Graphic design history can serve the field of today and tomorrow, but its narratives require updates. History, like design, is always changing - and like design, history is driven by present-day questions. This book shows how students and practicing designers can enrich their work by thinking historically about design. With thoughtful analyses, stimulating creative prompts, inspiring case studies, and perspectives from designers all over the world, this book challenges our traditional understanding of graphic design history, and the very notion of the design canon, offering ways to shape socially engaged, critical practices.