So if you’re tired of the same old stores when looking for design books in Toronto [as much as we love Swipe, it's time for something different] then head on over to Kensington Market for a fresh take. Function13 opened in October of 2007 with more than just literary offerings of the design kind. Nestled on Augusta close to Dundas, the shop offers not only a wide array of books and magazines, but posters [very affordable prints!], t-shirts and other interesting design bits [sparse compared to the crammed claustrophobia of Swipe, and being able to breathe and properly peruse the books is a result].
Husband in tow, I popped in for a quick look and left after longer than expected. Found a great book on typography [some of the books are a bit on the pricey side] and shared my market-fresh churros with the friendly staff. A great way to spend some time.
Named for the obscure 13th function key on a keyboard, the shop was founded by Shawn Puknell, founder and president of Flash In The Can [FITC], and Brandon Hocura, who hails from studying Art History and Film and spent 5 years in Tokyo. These are pedigrees which make both of them that much more interesting, Function13 not withstanding.
Over a few email exchanges, Hocura mentioned something of interest about his time in Japan:
I was impressed with how design and art are not seen as separate disciplines there and it isn’t unusual to see an artist designing packaging or a designer with an art exhibition.
A lovely take on how design in some places is considered art, which is something that I think many of us designers struggle with when asked “what is it that we actually do?”.
Function13 also houses the Pixel Interactive Immersive Gallery [cool design exhibitions] and the Rich Media Institute, which trains digital designers.
A must-see if you’re in the market, and a worthy trip out if you’re not, Function13 is at 156 Augusta Avenue in Toronto. Their short and sweet site, function13.ca, has their hours of operation and a map. Now there’s no excuse not to go.
creds: photo from function13.ca
2 responses so far ↓
Mark Coleran // July 10, 2008 at 6:28 pm |
One thing I have missed greatly since moving to Canada from England was Magma bookshop.
Really nice to see this place and by the looks of it, worth making a trip to Toronto for.
Bookmarks about Parallel // August 12, 2008 at 8:00 am |
[...] – bookmarked by 3 members originally found by s10564s on 2008-07-21 Function13: a designer’s dream den http://northpublik.wordpress.com/2008/07/09/function13-a-designers-dream-den/ – bookmarked by 4 [...]