Analogue: A Field Guide

A well choreographed and presented collection, in a good quality hardback. Just one of those things that is lovely to own and occasionally leaf through for some awe.

Gift for BIL- he is enjoying it

Appears to be a well presented volume. Bought as a gift for someone else.

This is a beautifully put together collection of some of the finest of analog orientated technology that was all so common years ago. Great photography, interesting captions, well laid out and printed in a high quality format. I love it.

I have originally received an ARC from NetGalley, finished it, and placed an order for the 3D version. I needed the hardcover. So do you, if you’re an old-fashioned nerd like me. As a fan of industrial design and old gizmos, I thought Analogue might be my cup of tea. It was my nectar of the Gods. Over the not enough pages, Deyan Sudjic (and the team – Peter Dawson/Ronja Ronning on design duties, Gemma Wilson – art director, Susannah Jayes – picture research, and everyone else involved) present the most fabulous, weird, popular, failed designs from the analogue era. Sony’s Walkman is there – but did you know there was a Sony Watchman TV? I was delighted to discover the existence of not just Olivetti Electrosumma but ALSO Olivetti Multisumma AND Olivetti Divisumma!!! (Can you guess what each of them does?) Analogue is a museum that curates the experience perfectly. There are so many things I have never seen, and things that I have learned. And they are all beautiful. Between the chapters, various designers and brands get showcased. From the incredible Dieter Rams’ beige elegance to Ettore Sottsass’ wild colours, the book covers it all. Sudjic’s write-ups are fascinating and just right for me, cool with a slight hint of humour. But it’s the imagery that makes this book an absolute gem. I first thought – those must be AI renders. There is no way there are such incredible photos of devices that are over a hundred years old! The index of photographers/sources takes two fill pages of very, very small print. I don’t know who restored those photos – I used to be one of Europe’s best graphic designers in my previous life – but I bow to thee, Mage. This quality is simply impossible. From what I can tell, everything is just the right colour, and that matters, and all of it looks brand new. Since I mentioned graphic design, early on the book already made me incredibly happy by mentioning both Peter Saville’s Power, Corruption and Lies (New Order) and Mark Farrow’s Very (Pet Shop Boys) as examples of unique record artwork. The book’s design would be (although isn’t) Mark Farrow at his best, the non-obstructive, timeless Helvetica typeface with perfect alignment – yes, this matters – never overtaking the breathtaking photography. Except for Designed by Apple in California, I have never seen a book this…gorgeous. Yes, I ran out of superlatives. There is simply no flaw to Analogue, though. Way beyond my wildest dreams, this book feels as if somebody has created it specifically for me. To everyone involved, I thank you – I can’t think of the last time when a book made me this happy. What an exquisite collection, art direction, design, writing, *work*. In my reviews, I always try to point out something I didn’t like, so I don’t sound like a gush dispenser. There’s nothing in this book that I’d judge as less than perfect. *** The above was my original Goodreads review of the e-book. The hardcover is worth every cent and actually should have cost more, I think. It’s that beautiful. BUT. Amazon sends it in a paper envelope. I returned the first copy, because somehow most of the corners of the cover were destroyed. With the second I placed a sign on the door saying ‘DELICATE PACKAGE, PLEASE RING THE DOOR.’ It worked. I’m unimpressed by Amazon’s idea of packaging for a coffee table book, though. Even the second copy’s envelope was torn, luckily the book did not suffer.