UPPERCASE gallery, books and papergoods opened in 2005. Since then, a barrage of art, design, and book-related activity has emerged from the enterprise. They've exhibited an average of seven shows a year, some of which have resulted in accompanying books that they publish, like the recent Old School. The blog at their site, UPPERCASE journal, gives information about their activities. It also features a wealth of innovative typography, illustration, contemporary and vintage design, and craft.
The Journal of a Graphic Designer's Bookshop
Janine Vangool, the woman behind UPPERCASE, runs Vangool Design + Typography. She says she originally started UPPERCASE as "a small bookstore – a companion to complement my graphic design studio." The venture quickly expanded to include a gallery, a publishing house, and a blog. In addition to the UPPERCASE updates, the blog is a repository of anything related to book design and outlines a playful design aesthetic.
Typography Is Everywhere
Roadside signs, eye charts, hedges carved into letters that spell out prayers: examples of creative typography abound. Vangool sees merit in the limited number of colors available for roadside sign letters, for example, and appreciates the "great subtle differences in hue due to the sun bleaching." There are also old sewing supply labels worth considering: ends of thread spools, cards of snaps. And then there's Danny Kaye spelling out letters with his body.
Illustration: From Vintage Posters to Contemporary Craft
Illustration, craft, and art all converge in the UPPERCASE journal. There's a post on painter Stefanie Augustine's "Scrappy Love", a series of pet portraits. A mini-profile of the Belgian recycle club, AKA Olivier Goka, who collects discarded plastic and makes sculptures that reference African masks. And there's an update on illustrator Linzie Hunter, who, in addition to Stefanie Augustine, was one of the many participants in UPPERCASE's "Old School" show.
Old School, Work/Life, and The Shatner Show
These three group shows all resulted in books published by UPPERCASE. "The Shatner Show" book became a huge success, perhaps due in part to the actor's near-maniacal fan base. Endorsed by Shatner himself, the exhibit included portraits by over seventy artists, all of which are in the book. The more recent "Old School" and "Work/Life" were also large group shows. "Work/Life" is a "directory of Canadian illustrators and photographers" with interviews on the creative process.
Vintage Papers + Book Design = Eclectonotes
UPPERCASE shop has a line of papergoods called Eclecto. They're little notebooks and pouches that represent some of the ideas that drive the gallery and blog: reused and repurposed materials, transformed via creative design. Luxurious and fun, Eclecto books are organized around themes like Flora & Fauna, Near & Far, and Peas & Carrots.
At the top of UPPERCASE shop's main Web page, there's a quote: "Great design starts with a good idea." The journal is a collection of good ideas that the design-loving visitor can use as inspiration for other projects. But it's also fun to just wander through and get introduced to illustration and design projects both new and old.
Read more about UPPERCASE at the Art Books blog.
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