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Abstract City
In July 2008, illustrator and designer Christoph Niemann began Abstract City , a visual blog for the New York Times . His posts were inspired by the desire to re-create simple and everyday observations and stories from his own life that everyone could relate to. In Niemann’s hands, mundane experiences such as riding the subway or trying to get a good night’s sleep were transformed into delightful flights of visual fancy. The struggle to keep up with housework became a battle against adorable but crafty goblins, and nostalgia about New York manifested in simple but strikingly spot-on LEGO creations. This brilliantly illustrated collection of reflections on modern life includes all 16 of the original blog posts as well as a new chapter created exclusively for the book.
Also available from Christoph Sunday Sketching and I LEGO N.Y.
Praise for Abstract City :
“Everyday experiences—from looking at leaves to riding city subways—are funny and fresh and often a source of wonder when depicted by this brilliant graphic designer.” — Readers Digest
“I will call Christoph when anything awful happens to me. And he will make me laugh like crazy about the whole thing. Because he is insanely funny and completely tenderly true. I love every column he did and will do.” —Maira Kalman, author/illustrator of And the Pursuit of Happiness
“Christoph Niemann is the best illustrator alive. Every single time I come across a piece of his work, which is often as he either works all the time, or worse, draws incredibly fast, it is wonderful. While the rest of us are lucky to get a proper piece out here and there, Christoph produces hit after hit after hit. If he wasn’t such a genuinely sweet man, we’d surely hate his ass a lot.” —Stefan Sagmeister, author of Things I Have Learned in My Life So Far
“Few books have more probingly and humorously gotten inside the mind and day-to-day experience of an artist.” —NPR.org
"What’s terrifying (to me, certainly, and possibly to many of his peers) is that nearly every idea he has seems to be equally well formed . . . once again, performing neat, virtuosic circles around the rest of us, to our delight." — PRINT magazine
"Irresistible." — Very Short List
“A masterpiece of sophisticated humor, this is a brilliant one-of-a-kind work.” — Library Journal , starred review
Also available from Christoph Sunday Sketching and I LEGO N.Y.
Praise for Abstract City :
“Everyday experiences—from looking at leaves to riding city subways—are funny and fresh and often a source of wonder when depicted by this brilliant graphic designer.” — Readers Digest
“I will call Christoph when anything awful happens to me. And he will make me laugh like crazy about the whole thing. Because he is insanely funny and completely tenderly true. I love every column he did and will do.” —Maira Kalman, author/illustrator of And the Pursuit of Happiness
“Christoph Niemann is the best illustrator alive. Every single time I come across a piece of his work, which is often as he either works all the time, or worse, draws incredibly fast, it is wonderful. While the rest of us are lucky to get a proper piece out here and there, Christoph produces hit after hit after hit. If he wasn’t such a genuinely sweet man, we’d surely hate his ass a lot.” —Stefan Sagmeister, author of Things I Have Learned in My Life So Far
“Few books have more probingly and humorously gotten inside the mind and day-to-day experience of an artist.” —NPR.org
"What’s terrifying (to me, certainly, and possibly to many of his peers) is that nearly every idea he has seems to be equally well formed . . . once again, performing neat, virtuosic circles around the rest of us, to our delight." — PRINT magazine
"Irresistible." — Very Short List
“A masterpiece of sophisticated humor, this is a brilliant one-of-a-kind work.” — Library Journal , starred review
256 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2012
41 people are currently reading
1654 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
March 1, 2017
"The true malice of headphones." (wonderfully said) (from the section called My Life with Cables)
"Poplar. Unpoplar." "Ernie and Birch" "Laurel and Hardy" (in Bio Diversity)
This book is high on concept and has a lot of stunningly crafty art and lovely humor. A lot of people seem to really love this book. I have mixed feelings but it's so intent on doing what it's doing and doing it so craftily I didn't feel comfortable giving it a lower rating.
Why didn't I love it all the way through? I didn't find it so easy to connect with. (Emotionally? Intellectually? Not entirely sure.) It's prank-ish and self-absorbed, which, I suppose is nothing new in the realm of graphic art.
Perhaps the NPR review says it all in its description of the book: "whimsical eye candy for urbanites."
http://www.npr.org/2012/04/05/1496888...
"Poplar. Unpoplar." "Ernie and Birch" "Laurel and Hardy" (in Bio Diversity)
This book is high on concept and has a lot of stunningly crafty art and lovely humor. A lot of people seem to really love this book. I have mixed feelings but it's so intent on doing what it's doing and doing it so craftily I didn't feel comfortable giving it a lower rating.
Why didn't I love it all the way through? I didn't find it so easy to connect with. (Emotionally? Intellectually? Not entirely sure.) It's prank-ish and self-absorbed, which, I suppose is nothing new in the realm of graphic art.
Perhaps the NPR review says it all in its description of the book: "whimsical eye candy for urbanites."
http://www.npr.org/2012/04/05/1496888...
December 11, 2018
This just isn't my thing...it was hard for me to focus on the words and I didn't like the style of drawing (although I am not an art critic in the least so take that with a grain of salt ;)
December 12, 2016
A collection of art celebrating the joys and annoyances of everyday life. It's very creative, and might make you smile a good bit.
August 27, 2013
Abstract City by Christoph Niemann is a totally delightful book. It's literally a graphic novel-not a form of comics but a novel by a graphic designer that consists of, well, graphic designs. It's divided into sections, each of which is about some aspect of the author's experience-his sons and their love of subways (New York City), one of my favorite parts; the Berlin Wall (the author's life in Berlin), things he has made with cookie dough, and, another personal favorite, the creative process. The drawings are vivid, appropriately hilarious and the writing generally charming (occasionally I found the text a little cutesy but that is the only slight criticism I can make of this wonderful work). This is a book I bought in tree version and find it well worth the investment. It's not a one-time read but a book that I will continue to dip into and enjoy frequently.
April 9, 2017
Another delightful book of visual essays by Niemann, a columnist, graphic artist and illustrator. He tells us about everyday life, his work life and city-dwelling tricks of the trade among many other topics, in his most singular multimedia way. Niemann is a writer and artist to watch. Eager to see what he comes up with next.
May 9, 2017
Abstract City is a visual blog for The New York Times from the pen and mind of illustrator/designer Christopher Niemann. He calls these things "visual essays." Here it is if you want check it out:
https://niemann.blogs.nytimes.com
Some cool themes/motifs/obsessions: Legos, cables, weather, maps, the NYC subway, the challenges of “spooning” when you have small children, and so on.
You like the idea of a visual blog? Here’s another one to which I daily subscribe, from Maria Fabrizio, who reads the paper and creates a wordless cartoon out of an article that strikes her:
http://us4.campaign-archive1.com/?e=5...
https://niemann.blogs.nytimes.com
Some cool themes/motifs/obsessions: Legos, cables, weather, maps, the NYC subway, the challenges of “spooning” when you have small children, and so on.
You like the idea of a visual blog? Here’s another one to which I daily subscribe, from Maria Fabrizio, who reads the paper and creates a wordless cartoon out of an article that strikes her:
http://us4.campaign-archive1.com/?e=5...
May 13, 2015
Niemann's creativity and ability to make us chuckle over the most mundane things in life are just, beautiful. My Life with Cables, Bio Diversity, Red Eye and Unpopular Science were specifically awesome chapters. Re-readable anytime. Impressive stuff. Heart warming.
July 24, 2022
extraordinary drawings
February 19, 2020
A must read for every New Yorker!
August 11, 2018
A fun and relatable collection of visual essays.
(Faux Fir was my favourite joke.)
(Faux Fir was my favourite joke.)
January 7, 2024
5/5
Charming, whimsical, and witty, this book is an absolute delight from start to finish! Christoph Niemann is a very creative artist and talented storyteller. Give ABSTRACT CITY a read— it brought me so much joy!
Charming, whimsical, and witty, this book is an absolute delight from start to finish! Christoph Niemann is a very creative artist and talented storyteller. Give ABSTRACT CITY a read— it brought me so much joy!
May 23, 2014
I can't begin to describe how much I loved this book. I plan to purchase it so that I can look back though it and enjoy it again and again. Christoph Niemann is a designer and writes a visual blog for the New York Times, and this book is sort of a compilation of his work. I "read" it in just two nights, with "read" being the key word because the work is mostly visual, with each page consisting of a drawing or visual creation of Niemann's, along with a short bit of text to accompany it. The creations and text are hilarious, and I even laughed so hard over a few of them that I cried. Art is arranged into chapters that cover a range of topics such as things that keep him awake at night, his little boys' love for the NYC subway, small talk about the weather, and the Berlin Wall. He uses such interesting mediums, including legos and dough, but my favorite medium was a chapter about coffee in which Niemann created his designs on paper napkins and drew with coffee (or using the ring of coffee from the bottom of his mug!). My very favorite chapter was called "Good Night and Tough Luck." There is definitely a theme running throughout about New York City, where the artist lived for many years, but I really think the book can be enjoyed by anyone. Many thanks to my friend April for alerting me to this very fun book!
August 22, 2013
A very mixed book, as might be expected from a collection of visual essays. Niemann's mind works very interestingly, using art to convey a wealth of information. But when there is no story to tell (for example, just a collection of humorously shaped leaves) then it falls flat. The best stories are excellent, including the story of his sons' obsession with the NY Subway, Diagrams used to convey helpful hints to NYC residents, and an exploration in creating tile mosaics in a bathroom based on pieces of modern art. A nice flip through, but not a book one would return to.
June 10, 2012
The first and last "essays" had my full attention: the subway boys (despite my envy at having boys who love subways so much) and the unprettied-look at a creative's life (spot on!). The others had wonderful moments. Haunted Household went down the cute road that the others flirted with, but went there too far. Also: bathroom tile: couldn't enjoy because I was too busy being envious that they had two bathrooms with tile. But yeah, that's my problem.
February 20, 2023
Lovely, quirky and beautiful set of visual essays from the designer Christoph Nieman. Some of the essays are cute, some are chuckle-inducing and some at hilarious- but everything is interesting.
I came across Christoph few years ago thru the Netflix series, Abstract, which was highlighting some influential designers and their creation.
This is a quick and interesting read. If you have a subscription to Scribd, try it out there. It’s time well spent.
I came across Christoph few years ago thru the Netflix series, Abstract, which was highlighting some influential designers and their creation.
This is a quick and interesting read. If you have a subscription to Scribd, try it out there. It’s time well spent.
May 8, 2012
Christoph Niemann has made me re-learn what comics can be. While some pieces were stronger than others, I felt that every one of them made me think of comics a little differently. He moves smoothly and unjarringly between humor and poignancy. I hope he keeps making these pieces; I would read volumes of them.
May 25, 2012
Niemann's designs, and the tales he tells through them, are original, wry, beautiful. What else do you want?
May 20, 2013
Oh, New York. Let me count the ways.
My favorite pieces were "The Boys and the Subway" and "I LEGO NY."
Thanks for the birthday present, Allie.
My favorite pieces were "The Boys and the Subway" and "I LEGO NY."
Thanks for the birthday present, Allie.
November 21, 2019
Abstract city is a collection of visual stories (almost like a biography) of the Legendary Illustrator Cristoph Niemann. I absolutely enjoyed reading this book, from start to finish—every single page!
The story digs down into his personal life working in a creative industry, living in Germany & New York while taking care of his children. From NY Subways, His love of coffees, Science, Maps, and Traveling. But I guess it's also about his interpretation of New York. It's honest, artistic, humorous, inspiring, and relatable. In Conclusion? Definetely worrh reading the book.
One of my favorite line:
I can’t give you the precise math, but, for conceptual work, I cannot really go more than four hours in a given twenty-four-hour time period. If I push myself to work beyond that threshold, all I produce is garbage.
The story digs down into his personal life working in a creative industry, living in Germany & New York while taking care of his children. From NY Subways, His love of coffees, Science, Maps, and Traveling. But I guess it's also about his interpretation of New York. It's honest, artistic, humorous, inspiring, and relatable. In Conclusion? Definetely worrh reading the book.
One of my favorite line:
I can’t give you the precise math, but, for conceptual work, I cannot really go more than four hours in a given twenty-four-hour time period. If I push myself to work beyond that threshold, all I produce is garbage.
May 5, 2023
Loved this book. Moments of inspiration, thoughts and sad moments of history; bittersweet moments of remembering life in NYC and also strolling around Berlin; some big laughs (the delete person button on the plane… outstanding!).
Nieman shares also very interesting thoughts about his creative process and career experience.
I think that if I had to keep some words from the book it would be this part:
“Some people probably do have an aptitude for drawing or writing, and that makes it easier for them to create, but even this is worthless if you don't hone your skills through years of practice. If there is any kind of talent I would consider relevant, it would be natural enthusiasm, which keeps you going despite the difficulties and frustrations that are inevitably part of creative work.”
Nieman shares also very interesting thoughts about his creative process and career experience.
I think that if I had to keep some words from the book it would be this part:
“Some people probably do have an aptitude for drawing or writing, and that makes it easier for them to create, but even this is worthless if you don't hone your skills through years of practice. If there is any kind of talent I would consider relevant, it would be natural enthusiasm, which keeps you going despite the difficulties and frustrations that are inevitably part of creative work.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2024
I enjoyed the themes and mediums used to creatively depict the artist's life in NYC. I especially loved the coffee drawings and story of how he came to despise and then love coffee. The best being the pinnacle of coffee drinking when your barista knows your order when you walk-in, and then the hilarious downfall of the dramatic turn of the order later being messed up and he not having the courage to correct them that would ruin the 'mystic' bond.
The LEGO designs were great and surprisingly funny with just the right amount of detail, oftentimes sparse.
The maps were also well made and clever, and also dated (mail-in-rebates!)
Overall a good quick read and fun way to convey concepts about art, life and the creative process.
The LEGO designs were great and surprisingly funny with just the right amount of detail, oftentimes sparse.
The maps were also well made and clever, and also dated (mail-in-rebates!)
Overall a good quick read and fun way to convey concepts about art, life and the creative process.
May 31, 2017
I had expected this to be a five-star review, since I love Niemann's work and enjoyed all of these essays when I originally read them. But honestly, I feel like they weren't designed to be binge-read in rapid succession. What seemed dazzlingly clever in smaller pieces seems a bit more contrived and cutesy when taken as a whole. Still, no one's better at this kind of thing than Niemann, and the original afterword about his creative process does a lot to ground the book into something more substantial. That said, if you haven't seen any of these visual essays before, you owe it to yourself to check them out, here or online.
July 20, 2023
Niemann is such a clever illustrator and storyteller. Knocked off one star because there were some parts of this that were kind of boring and hard to get thru. I prefer when there is some sort of metaphor or greater message to seemingly arbitrary stories. Does that make me insufferable? maybe…..
My absolute favorite part of this book was the afterward. It was redeeming to read him speak on the creative process, or more specifically HIS creative process. I felt inspired especially after reading that bit. I’ve been going through a tough creative block and it was validating to read that one of my biggest inspirations experiences the same trials and tribulations.
My absolute favorite part of this book was the afterward. It was redeeming to read him speak on the creative process, or more specifically HIS creative process. I felt inspired especially after reading that bit. I’ve been going through a tough creative block and it was validating to read that one of my biggest inspirations experiences the same trials and tribulations.
June 29, 2017
I've loved Niemann's blog, and here some of his posts - plus some new ones - are compiled into a coffee-table-worthy book. His illustrations capture in a few strokes (or collages, or sculptures) some little slice of everyday life. The tone is always amused wonder (Except for his piece about living near where the Berlin wall was).
My favorite chapter is the last one, on the creative process (gist: no Muse here).
The whole book just brings joy.
My favorite chapter is the last one, on the creative process (gist: no Muse here).
The whole book just brings joy.
January 14, 2020
I found this book quite hilarious. Enjoyed the read.
The way the author talked about random things with his drawing styles is perfect. For instances, he talked about how a half-assed effort will not yield half a chicken. We usually have to put in all efforts in getting want we want. As he quoted Chuck Close;
"I always thought that inspiration is for amateurs- the rest of us just show up and get to work!"
It feel rather short reading this book, but refreshing at the end. Perfect company when you have to wait for your number to be called up.
The way the author talked about random things with his drawing styles is perfect. For instances, he talked about how a half-assed effort will not yield half a chicken. We usually have to put in all efforts in getting want we want. As he quoted Chuck Close;
"I always thought that inspiration is for amateurs- the rest of us just show up and get to work!"
It feel rather short reading this book, but refreshing at the end. Perfect company when you have to wait for your number to be called up.
August 2, 2020
Het tweede boek van Niemann wat ik las is wat ouder dan 'Sunday Sketching' en dat is in alles te zien. Vooral zijn tekenstijl heeft zich flink ontwikkeld en ziet er in dit boek nog wat minder aantrekkelijk uit. Dat heeft voor mij (als ontwerper / tekenaar) te maken met keuzes van kleuren, dikte van lijnen en dat soort dingen. Ondanks dat zijn de creatieve ideeën vaak briljant en de toelichting in tekst met humor. Evengoed is dit een mooie aanvuller op 'Sunday Sketching' die een prominente plek in mijn kast verdient.
December 19, 2020
I saw the Netflix Documentary about Christoph Neimann and was absolutely enchanted by him and his work. I bought this book because of it, and it lives up to my expectations fully. It's a series of quirky essays about city living, mostly set in New York but a few of the essays are set in Berlin where he now lives. They range from life hacks for getting about New York like a native, to living next to where the Berlin Wall stood, to the perfect night's sleep. The short text complements the pictures perfectly. They're witty and charming and sometimes a little poignant.
November 13, 2025
I found this book quite hilarious. Enjoyed the read.
The way the author talked about random things with his drawing styles is perfect. For instances, he talked about how a half-assed effort will not yield half a chicken. We usually have to put in all efforts in getting want we want. As he quoted Chuck Close;
"I always thought that inspiration is for amateurs- the rest of us just show up and get to work!"
It feel rather short reading this book, but refreshing at the end. Perfect company when you have to wait for your number to be called up.
The way the author talked about random things with his drawing styles is perfect. For instances, he talked about how a half-assed effort will not yield half a chicken. We usually have to put in all efforts in getting want we want. As he quoted Chuck Close;
"I always thought that inspiration is for amateurs- the rest of us just show up and get to work!"
It feel rather short reading this book, but refreshing at the end. Perfect company when you have to wait for your number to be called up.
April 11, 2018
I became aware of Christoph Niemann through the Abstract: Art of Design docuseries on Netflix (Niemann is the focus of episode 1). Since then I started following him on Twitter and Instagram and love his playful style, both in his formal New Yorker/NYTs work, and his playful abstracts and animations incorporating everyday objects into his sketches. This is from 2012 and exemplifies his style well.
January 19, 2019
To be fair, this book consists of blog posts and images. Not a lengthy read. But I loved it! Found this illustrator after watching "Abstract: the art of design" on Netflix. I find him to be really inspirational as an artist and a parent - many of his illustrations are about life with his kids. (Hilarious!) And I loved what he had to say about being a working artist. You can't wait for inspiration to strike, you just have to work every day!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews