Review: Draplin Design Co: Pretty Much Everything

Graphic designer Aaron Draplin takes a look back on his career so far in this detailed and heartfelt book.

5 Star Rating

Our Verdict

With a wealth of work and a funny personal touch, Pretty Much Everything is a valuable and informative insight into the life of designer Aaron Draplin.

For

  • Comprehensive collection of life and work
  • Amusing voice
  • Packed with lessons for new designers
  • Beautifully designed

Against

  • A bit overwhelming when you first pick it up

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Part showcase, part autobiography, designer Aaron James Draplin's book Pretty Much Everything certainly lives up to its name. This mid-career retrospective is stuffed with countless examples of his influential work, ranging from snowboard  graphics to logo designs (opens in new tab), and insights into Draplin's unruly career path.

Discover how Draplin got his show on the road

Discover how Draplin got his show on the road

Delivered with his straight talking yet heartfelt voice, this is the book equivalent of Draplin putting his shoulder round the reader and guiding them through the different stages of his life.

Inside you'll find details about him growing up in Detroit, moving somewhere wild, and forging his career as a designer. These stories are nestled amongst a comprehensive collection of images that include childhood toys, notebook drawings, and family photos, as well as professional projects such as the Field Notes books and the 'Things We Love' state posters. As designer autobiographies go, this is as intimate as it gets. 

Pretty Much Everything is a feast of beautiful photos and art

Pretty Much Everything is a feast of beautiful photos and art

Appropriately enough, the whole book itself is well designed and beautiful to look at. While the sheer amount of images might appear overwhelming at first, once you've got used to the flavour of Pretty Much Everything you'll be hungry for more.

Not only is Pretty Much Everything a unique chance to look behind the scenes into how a successful graphic designer works (breathe a sigh of relief if you like hoarding stuff, it seems you're not alone), it's also packed with valuable lessons learnt from a variety of commissions and clients.

Discover the story behind signature projects like the Field Notes books

Discover the story behind signature projects like the Field Notes books

Running through the whole book is Draplin's punk do-it-yourself work ethic. From scrimping to afford his first hime to dealing with big name clients, this is an eye-opening read that designers just starting out would do well to take notice of. (It's some consolation to read that after 27 years in the business, even Draplin doesn't know how to work out a fee from clients.)

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The Verdict
10

out of 10

Review: Draplin Design Co: Pretty Much Everything

With a wealth of work and a funny personal touch, Pretty Much Everything is a valuable and informative insight into the life of designer Aaron Draplin.

Dom Carter

Dom Carter is a freelance writer who specialises in art and design. Formerly a staff writer for Creative Bloq, his work has also appeared on Creative Boom and in the pages of ImagineFX, Computer Arts, 3D World, and .net. He has been a D&AD New Blood judge, and has a particular interest in picture books.