Issue Thirty Five: Having a Ball

Today we have a guest issue from Janet Delavan, a recent graduate of Parsons School of Design who specializes in book design and printed matter. Her recent senior thesis, The Feminine American Pastime, was inspired by her interest in the history of women and cue sports, and features a series of books which juxtapose “women’s work” with “the man’s game.” Here, she shares some fun billiards ephemera she’s come across during her research.

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The popularity of billiards has fluctuated numerous times over the last century. Traditionally considered a veteran’s pastime, the game fell out of favor after WWII as soldiers returned home and viewed it as a relic of the past—leading to the quiet closure of many pool rooms. However, Hollywood’s depiction of the game in movies like The Hustler, The Color of Money, and Mystic Pizza (with Julia Roberts running the table!) spurred its revival, highlighting the timeless and alluring style of the poolroom. While interest in playing grows and fades, the game’s mystique and glamor remain constant.

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This month’s featured archive is Viet GD, a new-ish collection of Vietnamese graphic design from the 1950s to present day. I love the variety of formats featured—from posters to sheet music—as well as the wide range of illustration styles.

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I wrote an op-ed for It’s Nice That about food in fashion, and why the creative industry is obsessed with produce (or, giant bricks of butter).