The small but perfectly formed Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft has two excellent linked exhibitions on at the moment. 20 Years of Penguin Essentials is a display of 100 Penguin Essentials book cover designs. The Penguin Essentials series began in 1998 and features a series of creative collaborations with contemporary designers, illustrators and artists, the result of which is a collection of book designs that showcase diverse designs using contemporary imagery, typography and layout. This display links to a show of some of the work by artist, designer and typographer Elizabeth Friedlander (1903-1984). The show includes rarely-seen works from the artist’s compelling career including type design, wood engravings, decorative book papers, maps and commercial work. The pattern samples are wonderful, teeny paintings that show a great eye for colour and form, they are mid-century design at its best. Both shows are on until the end of this month, so catch them while you can.
Penguin book covers
