A look at the current lineup of boards from OPEN — all designs are by Ian Lynam.

Following its debut at the recent TAB 5th anniversary party, Mammal — the band/dance unit composed of Ian Lynam and Mari Kojima — returns for another performance, this time during the upcoming PechaKucha Night in Tokyo Vol. 67, which happens December 2 at SuperDeluxe.

For the upcoming semester starting in January at Temple University Japan, Ian Lynam wil again be teaching his “All About Typography” (TYP101) class, and also introduce a new one, “Image Making” (IMA101). Below, details on both classes.

Image Making (IMA101)

In the contemporary world of graphic design, designers must be able to not only convey information, but do so in ways that are engaging and entertaining. Image Making teaches strategies for creating unique visual form to incorporate into graphic design projects. A hybrid of manual, analog, and digital processes including drawing, collage, manipulating found imagery, pattern-making, and typographic assemblage will be utilized to help students with the goal of the class: for each student to create a 100-page book of a range of form-making styles that will greatly benefit their professional portfolios.

The class will work together to explore different formal and conceptual strategies for creating new and exciting visual illustration. This class will appeal to graphic designers interested in both print and web, illustrators, fine artists, and students with an interest in editorial illustration. It will also appeal to designers and illustrators working within a signature style, as the strategies utilized will help loosen up professionals, push boundaries, and create new work.

This class is a studio class but will require a bit of homework for visual research (collecting source material and light reading).

All About Typography (TYP101)

An in-depth look at typography (designing with fonts) for both beginners and experienced practitioners. This class is a working examination of Western typography including lectures on type history, type classification, and contemporary practice.

Practical exercises, as well as in-class critiques will help broaden students’ understanding of typography practically and critically

The class will conduct projects to explore typographic styles, learn correct typesetting practices, and increase design acumen. The class will host guest lectures by some of Japan’s top graphic designers. The class is Mac-based, but will apply equally to PC-based environments.

This past Saturday’s 5th anniversary party for Tokyo Art Beat at SuperDeluxe was indeed a blast, and to my absolute surprise I actually won the raffle — I swear, I never win anything. The prize was a pink basket filled with all sorts of goodies, and was handed to me by TAB’s Paul Baron and World of Golden Eggs creator Masashi “Larry” Oiwa (that’s us three above, with the shorty, me, in the middle). My wife is an absolute fan of Golden Eggs — she even watches those “Heidi” shorts they created for Nissan over and over — so was pretty jealous when I told her who handed me the prize.

The entire evening was good fun, with Ian Lynam and Mari Kojima kicking the jams with crazy dance moves in the guises of their new unit, Mammal. Below, Paul and me getting a little closer. Photos are courtesy of Xin Tahara.

A new planned design at OPEN Skateboards, an homage to designer Kiyoshi Awazu, by Ian Lynam.

Ian Lynam collaborates with Lesque for a new round of board designs.

Ian Lynam has designed a new font, now available for purchase at MyFonts. Ensenada is “based on hand-cut lettering that adorns businesses throughout the city of Ensenada in Baja California in Mexico.”

For his upcoming lecture at “Arttalking #4 ‘On the Street,’” Ian Lynam has produced a limited edition and numbered booklet, pictured above. More details on the event itself — which happens October 8 — here.

Ian Lynam is teaching the Typography 101 class again this semester at Temple University Japan — today (September 29) is the last day you have to enroll, with the class starting tomorrow. Ian describes the class in this post over at META no TAME, and you can sign up here.

The Peace Sweater features a pattern that fuses seven different languages, featuring typography by Stefan Sagmeister, Alexander Gelman, Oded Ezer, Behrouz Hairiri, Ahn Song-Soo, Da Wang, and Dai Nippon Type Organization. The sweatshirt itself is designed by Erika Ohashi and Ian Lynam. When it goes on sale this spring, it will be limited to 1,000 pieces worldwide. You can read more about the project here.