Graphic Design is the most commercialized form of art. Heck, a lot of people refer to design as the only art one can actually make a living at. However, I think because of graphic design's mass commercial use, it gets a bad rap in the art world. Most non-designers, while they understand graphic design's value in business, do not really comprehend what designers do or realize the level of analytical thinking, creativity and skill required to be a good designer. It is often misjudged and under-appreciated. After all, everyone can be a designer, right?
Graphic design, as valid an art form as any other, absolutely belongs in a museum. While I do not know the artist's intentions for this project, one result I see of these faux book covers, an entire series based on a fictional topic, is to bridge the gap between the commercial use of design and design as a valid art form. It also exposes said gap into the art and business world's (and everyday people's) consciousness. There are book covers, a commercial application of design, made for a non-commercial purpose - the expression of the artist.
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One way I noticed some covers failed to convey a fully retro aesthetic was the application of transparencies, as demonstrated in the images above. Transparency is a style created easier with modern computer software that did not exist 30+ years ago, during the time I imagine these covers were emulating.
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I can't explain why T-shirts and other swag were made from the covers. It's pop culture at it's best, or self-promotion, or lord knows why...
