Unit Editions
| Founded | 2009 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Adrian Shaughnessy, Tony Brook, Patricia Finegan |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Headquarters location | London |
| Publication types | Books |
| Nonfiction topics | Design |
| Official website | https://uniteditions.com |
Unit Editions is an independent[1] British book publishing company founded in 2009[2] by writer Adrian Shaughnessy and graphic designers Tony Brook and Patricia Finegan.[3] Headquartered in London,[4] Unit Editions is known for elaborately produced publications that focus on niche topics in graphic design and visual culture.[5][6][7][8] Their stated mission is to publish books on “subjects that are either neglected or ignored by mainstream publishers.”[9]
Unit Editions distributes books directly to customers, selling about 85% of them through its website,[10][11] and occasionally employing crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter and Volume.[12] Most of its books are produced in relatively small print runs of 1000–3000 copies,[10] and some titles sell out quickly.[13][14] The majority of books are designed by Spin Studio, run by the imprint’s co-founder Tony Brook.[15][16]
In 2023, British publishing house Thames & Hudson acquired rights to Unit Editions’ past publications and future titles.[17]
Awards and recognition
[edit]Eating with the eyes, a collection of photographs by designer and Pentagram partner Harry Pearce, designed by Pentagram and published by Unit Editions in 2016, won the 2016 D&AD Award.[18] Unit Editions was nominated in the graphic design section of the 'Beazley Designs of the Year' exhibition at London's Design Museum in 2017[19][20] and included in Creative Review’s Creative Leaders list in 2018.[21]
Published titles
[edit]As of 2025, Unit Editions’ imprint includes more than 50 published titles, including monographs on celebrated graphic designers like FHK Henrion,[22] Lance Wyman,[23][24] Pentagram,[25][26] Ken Garland,[27] Herb Lubalin,[28][29] and Paula Scher.[30][31] Each title published by Unit Editions is identified with a sequential number, usually placed on the book’s copyright page or covers.
| Unit | Title | Subject | Year | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Studio Culture: The Secret Life of the Graphic Design Studio | Interviews with graphic design studio owners[32] | 2009 | ISBN 978-0-9562071-0-4 |
| 2 | Supergraphics | Supergraphics[33] | 2010 | |
| 3 | TD 63-73: Total Design and its Pioneering Role in Graphic Design | Work by Total Design[34] | 2011 | |
| 4 | Wim Crouwel: a graphic odyssey catalogue | Catalogue to accompany Wim Crouwel exhibit at Design Museum | 2011 | ISBN 978-0-9562071-3-5 |
| 5 | Projekt: The Polish Journal of Visual Art and Design | Projekt magazine[35][36] | 2011 | ISBN 978-0-9562071-4-2 |
| 6 | Kwadraat-Bladen – A Series of Graphic Experiments 1955-1974 | Work by Pieter Brattinga | 2012 | ISBN 978-09562071-5-9 |
| 7 | Herb Lubalin American Graphic Designer 1918–81 | Work by Herb Lubalin[37][38][39] | 2012 | ISBN 978-0-9562071-6-6 |
| 9 | Ken Garland: Structure and Substance | Work by Ken Garland[40] | 2012 | ISBN 978-0-9562071-9-7 |
| 10 | Jurriaan Schrofer (1926-90): Restless Typographer | Work by Jurriaan Schrofer[41] | 2012 | ISBN 978-0-9562071-8-0 |
| 11 | Scratching The Surface: Essays 1995-2013 | Essays by Adrian Shaughnessy | 2013 | ISBN 978-0-9575114-0-8 |
| 12 | Type Only | Contemporary typography[42] | 2013 | ISBN 978-0-9575114-1-5 |
| 13 | FHK Henrion: The Complete Designer | Work by FHK Henrion[43][44] | 2013 | ISBN 978-0-9575114-2-2 |
| 14 | Herb Lubalin: American Graphic Designer 1918–81 (compact edition), re-issued | Work by Herb Lubalin[45] | 2014 | ISBN 978-0-9575114-3-9 |
| 15 | Manuals 1: Design and Identity Guidelines | Historic corporate design manuals[1][46] | 2014 | ISBN 978-0-9575114-4-6 |
| 16 | Supernew Supergraphics | Supergraphics[47] | 2014 | ISBN 978-0-9575114-5-3 |
| 17 | Type Plus | Contemporary typography | 2014 | ISBN 978-0-9575114-6-0 |
| 18 | Manuals 2: Design and Identity Guidelines | Historic corporate design manuals[48] | 2014 | |
| 19 | SPIN: 360º | Work by design studio Spin[49] | 2015 | ISBN 978-0-9575114-8-4 |
| 20 | Lance Wyman: The Monograph | Work by Lance Wyman[50][51] | 2015 | ISBN 978-0-9575114-9-1 |
| 22 | TD 63-73: Total Design and its Pioneering Role in Graphic Design, expanded | Work by Total Design[52][53] | 2016 | ISBN 978-0-9932316-0-5 |
| 23 | Eating with the eyes | Photographs by Harry Pearce | 2016 | ISBN 978-0-9932316-3-6 |
| 24 | Graphic Stamps: The Miniature Beauty Of Postage Stamps | Postage stamps[54][55] | 2016 | ISBN 978-0-9932316-4-3 |
| 25 | Herb Lubalin: Typographer | Typography by Herb Lubalin | 2016 | ISBN 978-0-9932316-5-0 |
| 26 | Action Time Vision – Punk & Post-Punk 7" Record Sleeves | Punk and post-punk record covers[56][57] | 2016 | ISBN 978-0-9932316-6-7 |
| 27 | Impact 1.0: Design Magazines, Journals and Periodicals (1922-1973) | Magazine covers, 1922–1973 | 2016 | ISBN 978-0-9932316-8-1 |
| 28 | Impact 2.0: Design Magazines, Journals and Periodicals (1974-2016) | Magazine covers, 1974–2016 | 2016 | ISBN 978-0-9932316-9-8 |
| 30 | Paula Scher: Works | Work by Paula Scher | 2016 | ISBN 978-0-9956664-1-2 |
| 31 | Spin/Adventures in Typography | Experimental work by design studio Spin[58][59] | 2017 | |
| 32 | andreas uebele material monograph volume 3, 2003–2016 | Work by Andreas Uebele | 2016 | ISBN 978-0-9956664-2-9 |
| 33 | National Theatre Posters: A Design History | Posters for National Theatre[60][61] | 2017 | ISBN 978-0-9956664-3-6 |
| 34 | Letraset: The DIY Typography Revolution | Typefaces and history of Letraset[62][63] | 2017 | ISBN 978-0-9956664-4-3 |
| 35 | Octavo Redux 1:1 — a record of Octavo, journal of typography 1986–1992 | Work by design studio 8vo | 2017 | |
| 36 | Spin/Adventures in Typography II | Experimental work by design studio Spin | 2017 | ISBN 978-0-9956664-6-7 |
| 37 | Paula Scher: Works (concise edition), re-issued | Work by Paula Scher | 2018 | ISBN 978-0-9956664-7-4 |
| 38 | Vaughan Oliver: Archive Materials & Fragments | Work by Vaughan Oliver | 2018 | |
| 40 | VNIITE: Discovering Utopia – Lost Archives of Soviet Design | Work by VNIITE[64] | 2018 | ISBN 978-1-9164573-0-0 |
| 41 | Lance Wyman: Process. A proposal for the 1976 USA Bicentennial identity | Brand identity for the United States Bicentennial[23][24] | 2018 | ISBN 978-1-9164573-1-7 |
| 42 | Karlssonwilker On America | Visual essay on America by design studio Karlssonwilker[65][66] | 2018 | ISBN 978-1-9164573-2-4 |
| 43 | What is Universal Everything? | Work by Universal Everything[67] | 2019 | ISBN 978-1-9164573-3-1 |
| 44 | AZTDR™ – A—Z of The Designers Republic™ | Work by The Designers Republic[68][69][70] | 2019 | ISBN 978-1-9164573-4-8 |
| 45 | Studio Culture Now: Advice and guidance for designers in a changing world | Interviews with graphic design studio owners | 2020 | ISBN 978-1-9164573-6-2 |
| 46 | Ed Fella: A Life in Images | Work by Ed Fella[71][72][73] | 2022 | ISBN 978-1-9164573-7-9 |
| 50 | Pentagram: Living by Design | Work by Pentagram[25] | 2022 | ISBN 978-1-9164573-8-6 |
| 52 | North: Extracts from visual identities | Work by design studio North[74] | 2023 | ISBN 978-0-5008802-2-7 |
| 53 | 1,000 Marks | Logotypes by Pentagram[26] | 2024 | |
| 54 | Disorder: Swiss Grit Volume II | Work by Chris Ashworth[75] | 2025 | |
| 55 | Fred Troller Design | Work by Fred Troller | 2024 | ISBN 978-0-500-88039-5 |
| 56 | Ken Garland: Structure and Substance, re-issued | Work by Ken Garland | 2025 |
References
[edit]- ^ a b Heller, Steven (2014-04-17). "The Lost, Surprisingly Soulful Art of Corporate Identity". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ "They said books were dead, they were wrong: Adrian Shaughnessy on a decade of Unit Editions". www.itsnicethat.com. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ "Unit Editions". www.itsnicethat.com. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ "Unit Editions Makes Books for Designers – Glyphic". 2009-09-15. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ Petit, Zachary (2020-11-16). "Studio Culture Now: A Guide to Surviving—and Maybe Even Thriving—in an Era of Striving". PRINT Magazine. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ "Unit Editions". Designers & Books. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ Leslie, Jeremy (2016-07-29). "Tony Brook, Spin & Unit Editions". magCulture. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ Muraben, Billie (2016-11-01). "Unit Editions Pushes + Preserves Graphic Design by Publishing Books That Go Against the Mainstream". AIGA Eye On Design. Retrieved 2025-05-25.
- ^ "About". Unit Editions. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ a b Bøg, Sanne (2023-01-14). "Unit Editions". boeg.studio. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ Q42, Fabrique &. "Unit Editions". Design Museum. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Unit Editions crowd-funds new book, System Process Form, from MuirMcNeil studio". Creative Boom. 2022-12-05. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ "Vaughan Oliver: Archive – a limited reprint by Unit Editions in memory of the legendary designer". Creative Boom. 2020-02-03. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ "How Adrian Shaughnessy and Unit Editions Wrote and Published Pentagram: Living By Design | Scratching the Surface". scratchingthesurface.fm. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ "TONY BROOK". Curator. 2019-10-12. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ "New Unit Editions offering explores combined power of text and imagery". www.itsnicethat.com. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ "Unit Editions and Read-Only Memory join Thames & Hudson". The Bookseller. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ "Eating with the eyes | Pentagram Design Ltd | Unit Editions | D&AD Awards 2016 Pencil Winner | Specialist & Limited Edition Books | D&AD". www.dandad.org. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ Q42, Fabrique &. "Unit Editions". Design Museum. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Dawood, Sarah (2017-10-17). "Review: Beazley Designs of the Year 2017 at the Design Museum". Design Week. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
- ^ "Unit Editions". Creative Review. 2017-06-19. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
- ^ "FHK Henrion - The Complete Designer". Design Week. 2013-10-02. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ a b "Kickstarter Campaign Hopes to Publish Lance Wyman's Fantastic Diaries". Metropolis. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ a b "Tony Brook on publishing the visual diaries of Lance Wyman". Design Week. 2016-09-19. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ a b TypeRoom. "Pentagram at 50: Living by design is a two volume compendium to inspire - TypeRoom". www.typeroom.eu. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ a b "New Pentagram book features 1,000 logos its partners designed". Design Week. 2025-03-05. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ "Ken Garland: Structure and Substance". Design Week. 2012-10-25. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ "Unit Editions' superb volume of Herb Lubalin's typography". www.itsnicethat.com. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ "Unit Editions' Herb Lubalin monograph". Design Week. 2012-06-12. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ "The exact moment to end a client meeting, whether your client is Bob Dylan or Citibank". Quartz. 2017-06-27. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ "Paula Scher: Works – Unit Editions' new book on the designer's phenomenal career so far". Creative Boom. 2017-04-20. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ "Studio Culture: The secret life of the graphic design studio, Unit Editions, 2009 - Design Reviewed". designreviewed.com. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
- ^ Pallister, James (2010-12-09). "Supergraphics: the book". The Architects’ Journal. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
- ^ "TD 63–73: Total Design, Unit Editions, 2011 - Design Reviewed". designreviewed.com. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
- ^ PrintMag (2012-02-07). "Polish Projekt, Good Stuff". PRINT Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-11.
- ^ "Eye Magazine | Review | Shadows over Poland". Eye Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-11.
- ^ PrintMag (2012-06-15). "Lubalin Is Coming, Lubalin Is Coming". PRINT Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-11.
- ^ Currey, Mason (2012-06-25). "Designer for the age of austerity". Salon. Retrieved 2025-06-11.
- ^ "New Unit Editions monograph to celebrate the late, great graphic designer Herb Lubalin". www.itsnicethat.com. Retrieved 2025-06-11.
- ^ "Ken Garland: Structure and Substance, Unit Editions, 2012 - Design Reviewed". designreviewed.com. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
- ^ PrintMag (2013-04-17). "Do You Know The Name Jurriaan Schrofer?". PRINT Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
- ^ "Graphic Design: New Unit Editions book celebrates type as graphic solution". www.itsnicethat.com. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
- ^ "Publication: Next Unit Editions book celebrates unique brilliance of FHK Henrion". www.itsnicethat.com. Retrieved 2025-06-11.
- ^ Heller, Steven (2013-12-09). "FHK Henrion Remembered, Revisited, Regaled". PRINT Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-11.
- ^ "Herb Lubalin: American Graphic Designer 1918–1981 (compact edition), Unit Editions, 2013 - Design Reviewed". designreviewed.com. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
- ^ Silverberg, Michael (2014-04-29). "How New York's Subway Signs Came to Be". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved 2025-06-15.
- ^ "Supernew Supergraphics". Design Week. 2014-05-23. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
- ^ "Unit Editions talks us through Manuals 2's superb identity design guidelines". www.itsnicethat.com. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ "Tony Brook tells us about creating the huge new Spin studio monograph". www.itsnicethat.com. Retrieved 2025-06-11.
- ^ Bell, Jonathan last updated in (2015-09-16). "Game(s) on: Unit Editions reveals definitive Lance Wyman monograph". Wallpaper*. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
- ^ designboom, andy butler I. (2015-09-10). "lance wyman the monograph by unit editions". designboom | architecture & design magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
- ^ "Unit Editions' re-released sublime Total Design behemoth is gorgeous". www.itsnicethat.com. Retrieved 2025-06-11.
- ^ Sinclair, Mark (2016-01-21). "Unit's TD 63-73 – what goes into a new edition?". Creative Review. Retrieved 2025-06-11.
- ^ "Graphic Stamps: The Miniature Beauty Of Postage Stamps by Spin". Creative Boom. 2017-01-03. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
- ^ Voon, Claire (2016-07-12). "A Graphic History of Postal Stamp Design". Hyperallergic. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
- ^ "Unit Editions' Action Time Vision – an alternative look at the aesthetics of punk". www.itsnicethat.com. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
- ^ Farris, Jessica (2016-12-20). "25 of the Best Recently Released Design Books". PRINT Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
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- ^ "Unit Editions' study of Letraset takes on a new form in this Sheffield exhibition". www.itsnicethat.com. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
- ^ Byrnes, Mark (2018-11-29). "When Soviet Industrial Designers Imagined a Better World". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2025-06-07.
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- ^ Leslie, Jeremy (2018-11-14). "karlssonwilker ON America". magCulture. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
- ^ Tucker, Emma (2019-07-19). "Unit Editions celebrates digital pioneers Universal Everything". Creative Review. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
- ^ "Everything you need to know (for now) about the Designers' Republic". Design Week. 2019-11-01. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
- ^ "The Designers Republic: "Provoke response, create dialogue"". www.domusweb.it. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
- ^ Carter, Dom (2018-11-14). "The story of The Designers Republic finally reaches print". Creative Bloq. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
- ^ Gosling, Emily (2022-03-22). "Ed Fella wrestles with the difference between artist and designer". Creative Review. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
- ^ "Unit Editions' new book captures the enduring legacy of designer and rulebreaker Ed Fella". www.itsnicethat.com. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
- ^ "Unit Editions Chronicles the Career of Ed Fella". Hypebeast. 2022-05-24. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
- ^ "Eye Magazine | Review | Digging deep into the plan chest". Eye Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-15.
- ^ "Disorder: Swiss Grit Volume II, Unit Editions, 2025 - Design Reviewed". designreviewed.com. Retrieved 2025-06-08.