Graphic by Oliver MakGraphic by Oliver MakOliver and Randi talk with designer, educator and publisher Kathleen Sleboda, co-founder and design director of Draw Down Books, an independent publisher and bookseller, and the primary at Gluekit. Kathleen teaches at the University of Connecticut, Boston University, and Rhode Island School of Design, where she co-designed the course Newly Formed with her partner and frequent collaborator, Christopher Sleboda.
Show notes:
When: Interviewed August 11, 2022
Kathleen’s journey:
Archivism at Yale
We talk about:
- The digital age and problems in preservation of documentation of non-dominant social cultures and artifacts in culture. Case in point: Hardcore Fanzine: Good and Plenty, 1989-1992.
- The significance of PUNK and the DIY roots of design in sub-cultures like Club Culture, Dance Culture, Acid Graphic Design movement; sub cultures as rich breeding ground for design.
- Finding community
- Cleon Peterson here, and here!
- (And Shepard Fairey)
- Library Stack
- Kristen Liu-Wong
- Boston Center for the Arts’ Cyclorama
- The Dutch Idea Books
And something that Kathleen has learned recently: How to Code Open Type Features (“so, a little bit of Python.”). Also – Kathleen reveals that the roots of the terms upper case, lower case, and out of sorts, are all typographic.
For your calendar:
March 2023, the Multiple Formats: Contemporary Art Book Symposium returns to Boston University. Here’s info about the February 2022 edition; March 2023 promises to be equally amazing, PLUS is adding its own art book fair.