Iconic 20th century inspiration
A unique collection of bookish designs based on the classic Penguin® paperback book. Each product design in the collection adapts and plays with the colour, typography and iconic look of the original Penguin series first designed by Edward Young in 1935. The paperback series changed the way people accessed books and learning forever and the iconic distinctive ‘look’ lives on in public design consciousness.
Tony Davis describes the process of creating the idea – “I’ve always felt there was natural affinity between books and coffee or tea-drinking which wasn’t reflected in the objects we drink out of. It seemed natural to put them together. Luckily, Penguin Books Ltd had the vision to see the potential of this synthesis, and allow us to create what you see today”. The witty combination of author and title combined with colour used in the original books has crossed all age and interest boundaries.
Award-winning collection
The collection now extends from the 2004 award-winning Penguin Mug ‘published in porcelain’ through to Espresso, Pencils, Bookbags, Tea towels and the iconic Penguin Deckchair launched at the 2005 Hay Literature Festival. Both the Pencils and Bookbags also won Highly Commended Awards at 2005 Gift of the Year.
Universal appeal
Across all generations and types of people the Penguin range strikes such a chord that they may now be truly considered part of our literary, lifestyle culture. In an interview with Joanna Lumley for The Times (appearing in the 2004 television adaptation of Agatha Christie's Body in the Library) they were described ...in British acting circles, these probably now have the cachet of an Oscar.
Since launch in 2003 the Penguin Collection has featured in leading magazines and newspapers, internationally, on television and even as part of theatrical props for plays. They can increasingly be found in the worlds best retailers from Conran, Heal's, Selfridges, The Design Museum through to leading design lead independent stockists and booksellers. Click here for your nearest stockist. Or to buy now online click here.
As part of their preparations for the 60th Birthday of Penguin publishing Classics in 1946 Penguin UK has asked Tony Davis of Art Meets Matter to explore whether a new series of porcelain mug designs to reflect the modern design of the Classics and Contemporary Fiction.
The result is a new look series of eight author/title combinations. Each mug features dramatic, typographic design in grey, black and orange details and quotes or extracts from the best fiction published by Penguin.
The designs are already in demand and to be stocked by Conran, Heal's and other leading retailers. Available from 21 November 2005. To see the new series click here.
Everyone has a novel inside them or so the story goes and many aspire to forms of creative enterprise like drawing. As a student of bizarre...more...
With something to drink out of, something to write with you really ought to have something to sit on...so the Literary deckchair idea was born...more...
Tony Davis describes the process of creating the idea – “I’ve always felt there was natural affinity between books and coffee or tea-drinking which wasn’t reflected in the objects we drink out of. It seemed natural to put them together. Luckily, Penguin Books Ltd had the vision to see the potential of this synthesis, and allow us to create what you see today”. The witty combination of author and title combined with colour used in the original books has crossed all age and interest boundaries. 
