Encountering Emilio Gil and Spanish Book Design in Madrid
Nigel Beale, Literary Tourist in Madrid
In addition to tapas, churros and tinto de verano - a wonderfully refreshing drink of wine mixed with
Tinto
Sprite that goes down particularly well after a rough day trolling Spanish bookshops - I also found Emilio Gil in Madrid, an award-winning graphic designer, author of Pioneers of Spanish GraphicDesign and founder of Tau Design.
I wanted to know more about Spanish book design so that I could slake my thirst for buying something - anything - at Madrid's used bookstores. Emilio was the man. Turns out he studied under Milton Glaser.
We sat down together in his offices, with my Spanish-speaking wife, and had this conversation
Emilio Gil
During our discussion Emilio mentioned the prolific Manolo Prieto (1912 - 1991), who I'd encountered the day before at Javiar's bookstall (#28)
Manolo Prieto
plus Ricard Giralt Miracle, and Daniel Gil (no relation). I subsequently went out and bought a bunch of Gil covers:
Gill cover
Gil cover
Gil Cover
Gil cover
Next time you're in a Spanish bookshop
Madrid Bookshop
you might want to do the same.
Madrid cat, in Madrid Bookshop