I don't suppose there are too many international design companies that have survived over fifty-two years. Near the beginning of the book, three principles explain Pentagram's continuing existence: their work is firmly anchored to design; it's a partnership and new talent is recruited as the years go by; the partnership format is a convenient hedge against any take-over by the media hungry or hedge funds.
The two authors, in book one, have written an excellent overview of Pentagram (with 1400 illustrations) starting with a historical biography followed by a breakdown of various disciplines: Branding; Design for culture; Editorial design; Three-dimensional design. The last part of the book has Pentagram folk in their own words followed by the 'Pentagram miscellany', a potpourri of studio photos and creative work by various partners over the decades.
Book two, The Directory is a listing of past and present partners and examples of their work. The 2300 illustrations are probably only a fraction of Pentagram's output, for example, they have designed over a 1000 logos (including one for the publisher of these books).
I thought that both books, with 1388 pages, is a first-class survey of this famous international design group.
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