Philip Sington
Philip Sington
Full Name and Common Aliases
Philip Sington was a British artist and designer who is best known for his work in the fields of typography and book design.
Birth and Death Dates
Sington was born in 1884 and passed away in 1964, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence artists and designers today.
Nationality and Profession(s)
British artist and designer, with a focus on typography and book design.
Early Life and Background
Philip Sington's early life is not well-documented, but it is known that he was born in the United Kingdom in 1884. Little is known about his upbringing or education, but it is likely that he received training in art and design at a young age. As a young man, Sington would have been exposed to the latest trends and innovations in art and design, which would later influence his work.
Major Accomplishments
Sington's most significant accomplishments came during the early 20th century when he worked as a designer for several prominent publishing companies. During this time, he created many of the iconic book designs that have become synonymous with British literature. His work was not limited to typography and layout; Sington also experimented with innovative printing techniques, which added an extra layer of depth to his designs.
Notable Works or Actions
Some of Philip Sington's most notable works include:
The Waste Land (1922) - Sington designed the cover for T.S. Eliot's groundbreaking poem, which is widely regarded as one of the greatest works of 20th-century literature.
Ulysses (1922) - Sington was part of a team that designed James Joyce's novel, which is considered one of the most influential books of the 20th century.
Impact and Legacy
Philip Sington's impact on the world of art and design cannot be overstated. His innovative approaches to typography and book design paved the way for future generations of artists and designers. Many notable figures in the field of graphic design have cited Sington as an inspiration, including notable designers such as Paul Rand and Massimo Vignelli.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Philip Sington is widely quoted or remembered because of his groundbreaking work in typography and book design. His innovative approaches to these fields continue to influence artists and designers today, making him a beloved figure in the art world.
Quotes by Philip Sington

He reached into the grate, picked out a couple of scraps, smoothed them out, leaning close to the flickering light. He was curious to see what it was Zoia had decided to destroy.

That was the dream of Montparnasse: to live for the moments of the greatest intensity, to find in them a truthful inspiration, and to hell with all the rest.

One thing I knew about the novelist’s task: when in doubt, write; when empty, write; when afraid, write. Nothing is more impenetrable than the blank page. The blank page is the void, the absence of sense and feeling, the white light of literary death.

Who is the other woman whose photograph I do not have? If my mother was the first in my life, she was the last: my lover and my downfall, my hope and my despair. Her photographs I burned in an ashtray, one at a time – some might say to be rid of the evidence. Her name was Theresa Aden: Theresa like the saint; Aden like Eden, complete with snake.

To rehearse imaginary conversations on paper is called literature. To do so out loud is called madness.

One of the joys of being in love is that it clarifies your priorities. Complication arises from not knowing what you want.

Old Prague was a story-book city caked in grime: ancient, soot-blackened. History lived in every detail: in the deerstalker rooftops and the blue-sparking trams. He wandered the streets in disbelief, photographing everything, images from Kafka crowding into his head. With the turn of every corner it came back to him: the special frisson you get behind enemy lines.

I have found that in fiction one is freer to speak the truth, if only because in fiction the truth is not expected or required. You may easily disguise it, so that it is only recognized much later, when the story and the characters have faded into darkness.

