TPN—BCN, HH

“Flexible Visual Systems” sums up 10 years of research at the University of Barcelona, 20 years of developing systems at TwoPoints.Net and 18 years of teaching systems at over 10 design universities throughout Europe on 320 pages.

“Flexible Visual Systems” is the design manual for contemporary visual identities. It teaches you a variety of approaches on how to design flexible systems, adjustable to any aesthetic or project in need of an identifiable visual language.

To learn how to design flexible systems is not just learning another craft, it is going to change the way you think and work entirely. It is an approach, how to design. If you would place system design into a curriculum it would be the foundation course, putting you in the right mindset. You can apply the systemic approach to any discipline you will later specialize in, from corporate design, communication design, user experience design to textile design.

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If you want to write about the book and need images you will find them here. If you want to become part of our slowly, but steadily growing FVS community, have a look at https://flexiblevisualsystems.info

The book is divided into three parts. The first part is an extended theoretic introduction (82 pages) explaining the past, present and future of flexible systems. It describes how they were used in the past, how they are used today and why they should not just organize formal solutions, but the way how we work.

The second part is a hands-on, almost purely visual, description of how to design flexible systems on form, starting with a circle, triangle, square, pentagon and hexagon. Lots of instruction manuals and examples on how to use them on 148 pages!

The third part explains how transformation processes can become flexible systems for visual identities. Especially creative coders, motion designers and people who love to experiment will have a lot of fun with this chapter.

The 320 pages, as well as the cover, were printed with three bright Pantone colors by our favorite printer Agpograf in Barcelona. The distribution is handled with the utmost care and love by the german publisher Slanted. Get your copy here, before it is sold out.

Book Specifications

Printing: 3 Pantone Spot Colors
Cover paper: Softcover, Invercote G, 300 g/sm, Matt Varnishing
Inside paper: Coral Natural M.1.2, 120 g/sm
Volume: 320 pages
Format: 210 × 250 mm
Language: English
Delivery: Wrapped in shrinkfoil, packed in box envelopes, shipped with tracking nr.
Content and Design: Dr. Martin Lorenz, Hamburg, Germany
Publisher and Distributor: Slanted Publishers, Karlsruhe, Germany
Printing and Binding: Agpograf, Barcelona, Spain

“Contemporary visual identities need to adapt and function consistently in a wide range of interactive, in motion, and static formats. The current landscape of design education, for the most part, still relies on concepts from the Bauhaus and Swiss “International” style; while significant historically, they can be pretty deficient when applied to design that is evolving with new technologies. Thanks to Martin, we now have a book to help us think and design ‘flexibly!’ This book will undoubtedly help educators like myself bring these new processes and ways of thinking into the classroom.”
Mitch Paone, Dia Studio

“As we were starting our redesign of our visual identity, we invited Martin to share his expertise on visual systems with us. His knowledge and this exchange was really inspiring for our design team.”
Nicolas Zimmel, Principal Designer, XING

“I have been following Martin Lorenz’ talks about “Flexible Visual Systems” quite sometime and I am hugely excited about to get his vision and expertise in printed matter. It might be the next graphic design reference book!”
Linus Lohoff

“I don’t like systems. I don’t like grids. With this book I will start loving both.”
Lars Harmsen

“This book is not just about design but an in depth visual language which Martin is so generously putting out in the open. Years of research and practice have gone into the genesis of this book.”
Sarah Boris

“F*ck investing in bitcoins, invest in Martin Lorenz.”
Julien Arts

“Amazing research and book about flexible systems.”
Rejane dal Bello

“I am definitely not religious, but this is going to be my new bible.”
Kimberley Klinkforth

“This is the book that bridges the gap between classic graphic design and coded design.”
Tim Rodenbröker

“Martin Lorenz’s understanding of design has always been very interesting to me and I am glad that I can finally have all that vision in one fantastic book.”
Tilman Solé, Mucho

“Después de años de investigación y práctica con sistemas flexibles, Martin Lorenz nos deja este libro. Tendrá un lugar destacado en mi biblioteca.”
Mario Eskenazi

"A wonderful visual textbook that shows how to use a system to develop beautiful visual identities."
Claudia Gerdes, Page Magazine

"Flexible Visual Systems, the definitive guide on flexible visual systems."
Cristóbal Páez, Experimenta Magazine

“I have been researching flexible systems & custom typography since the period living in The Netherlands. I am confident that Lorenz's book and research will be a game changer for tooya to push the envelope in our design projects & products.”
Yomar Augusto

“Martin’s book is, as usually his work is, fresh, contemporary and opening new paths in the graphic culture. We need more characters like him, being always theoretical, speculative and daring. Not following trends but his own intuition. Far from the marketing and the strict commandments that our time tries to impose to designers. A clear personality and the joy of experimentation have been key in his solid career that is somehow summarized in this book. And as usual, the design of the book itself is a visual pleasure.”
Daniel Ayuso, Clase

“Martin Lorenz entwickelt mit seinem Team flexible Systeme und Identitäten. Und es ist für mich beeindruckend, wie sie jeweils kontextbezogen die visuelle Sprache variieren – in der Modulation der Tonart und in der Änderung der Intensität. Dies ermöglicht, dass ihre Arbeiten die intendierte Wirkung erreichen. In ihrem Designprozess brechen sie Altes auf, um Neues zu suchen und zu finden. Ihr Vorgehen und ihre Arbeitsweise ist entsprechend vielfältig – mit Papier und Schere ebenso agil wie mit digitalen Tools. Und diese Vielfalt der Werkzeuge spiegelt sich in der Vielfalt ihrer Resultate wider.”
Jimmy Schmid, hkb.bfh.ch

“Grid systems may be produced by the left side of the brain and art creation by the right side of the brain: Martin’s book proves that there’s a field for playing around with both sides: real creativity is all about embracing both sides and that’s what is marvelous about his work.”
Genevieve Gauckler

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