Brian Burns

Portland’s own Frank Chimero is writing and self-publishing a book. ‘The Shape of Design’ is set to become the must-have book of 2011.

Frank has funded this ambitious endeavor with the aid of Kickstarter, an online all-or-nothing funding method that allows creatives and entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas to the internet and raise the capital needed to produce them. Frank’s funding goal of $27,000 was reached within four hours.

At the time of writing, with 23 days remaining on the project’s funding timeline, it has almost been funded three times over… with pledges continuing to roll in.

With a relatively short—easily digestible— text, Chimero intends to take a side-step away from the usual rhetoric and format associated with design books. He’s aiming to tackle topics such as storytelling, concept, craft and improvisation. ‘Why’ topics. Not ‘How’ topics.

In a world where things don’t stay the same for very long, Chimero thinks that it’s about time designers started having conversations about ambiguity and paradox. He argues that we need to have a greater understanding of the fact that conventional/logical assumptions aren’t always the answer to design problems. Whereas computers are logical, humans are unrepentantly emotional. We seek out non-linear answers and solutions.

The Shape of Design isn’t going to be a text book. The project will be focused on Why instead of How. We have enough How; it’s time for a thoughtful analysis of our practice and its characteristics so we can better practice our craft.

Frank will be releasing three electronic versions of his book:

1. A free web-based HTML version,
2. a “no-glow” Kindle edition,
3. and, an EPUB version.

What’s special about his project however is that Frank really appreciates the concept of a book as a artifact. He’ll create a crafted object that’s ‘beautiful, inside and out’. An object worth displaying on your mantle piece. An object the screams quality and longevity.

I was lucky enough to see Frank speak at last year’s Build and had the privilege of chatting to him at several points throughout the week. Frank says that his talk in Belfast provides a snap-shot of the direction in which his book will head.

It should give you a great idea of how the book will be. I consider this talk the book’s little brother, the seed-form of the ideas that will be in The Shape of Design.

If you haven’t already, you can get in on the act by pledging to Frank’s project on Kickstarter. Do it now. You won’t regret it.