People Of Print Founder Marcroy Smith’s Bookshelf

Meet Marcroy Smith, the director and founder of People of Print, a collective of creatives who come together to host workshops, produce events, and fulfil briefs for clients such as The Design Museum, Protein and the V&A. Smith is also the author of People of Print: Innovative, Independent Design and Illustration, and the Editor of the self-published magazine Print Isn’t Dead. People of Print is a daily source of inspiration, cataloguing all that’s happening in a world that’s still thriving despite the rise of digital media, but where does Smith get his inspiration from? We asked him to raid his bookshelf for his favourites; expect some stellar art and design titles, plus a few unexpected surprises.

 

Mushpit Magazine || Bertie Brandes & Charlotte Roberts

This tri-annual magazine is run by creative duo Bertie Brandes and Charlotte Roberts. It’s hilarious, satirical, and rather clever throughout. It’s probably one of my favourite magazines on the market at the moment — one of those magazines which makes you think “I wish I had done that.”

 

Spin 360 || Tony Brook & Adrian Shaughnessy

This is not a book; it’s a tome. It’s a 520 page monograph that looks at a 360 degree view of studio life at London-based Spin Studio, who have been around for over 20 years. If you don’t know, then get to know.

 

Recorder Magazine || Emma Tucker & Luke Tonge

We love it when dormant things are resurrected, and that’s exactly what Recorder is. It’s the original Monotype magazine from back in the day, ‘redesigned and reimagined’. Editor Emma Tucker and designer Luke Tonge have absolutely smashed the relaunch, currently on issue four which features the likes of Erik Spiekermann and work from Justyna Stasik, DR.ME and Friederike Hantel.

 

Adbusters | A Journal of The Mental Environment || Kalle Lasn & Bill Schmalz

I’ve been reading Adbusters for about 15 years now and it’s still as powerful, relevant and forward thinking as it ever was. It’s entirely ad-free and published every two months. The Adbusters Media Foundation is a Canadian-based not-for-profit, anti-consumerist, pro-environment organisation founded in 1989 by Kalle Lasn and Bill Schmalz in Vancouver, British Columbia and their manifesto should be your manifesto too.

 

OZ Magazine || Felix Dennis, Richard Neville & Jim Anderson

OZ Magazine is my favourite magazine of all time, largely due to a man called Felix Dennis, who lived a very colourful and successful life (look him up). Working alongside Richard Neville and Jim Anderson, they made OZ Magazine, which was probably the most controversial underground magazine that made colossal waves during the 60’s and early 70s. Some rare copies are going for extortionate prices on eBay currently.

 

Sapiens & Homo Deus || Yuval Noah Harari

Have you ever wanted to know how we got here and where we are going in a nutshell? Read these books.

 

DMT: The Spirit Molecule || Rick Strassman

DMT is a molecule that is produced by the pineal gland in your brain when you’re born and when you die and is greatly associated with the human’s soul. This book is simply incredible – it’s fascinating, educational and makes you question things.

 

High Art: A History of the Psychedelic Poster || Ted Owen & Denise Dickson

This is a collection of beautifully screen printed psychedelic poster art from the 1960s. Originally published in 1999, it’s pretty hard to find one of these books in good condition for cheap these days. Good luck.

 

Words by Marcroy Smith with Introduction by Jessica Spires