Book Description

So you have a great concept and all the fancy digital tools you could possibly require—what's stopping you from creating beautiful pages? Namely the training to pull all of these elements together into a cohesive design that effectively communicates your message. Not to worry: This book is the one place you can turn to find quick, non-intimidating, excellent design help.

Reviews (133)

Little book with BIG impact!
Don't let the small size of this book fool you... in here is all the information you need to start improving the way you design. Composition, positioning, alignment, font usage, and a host of other topics are concisely and simply explained. A section on color usage would have been appreciated, but would probably price the book out of its target audience. Williams's sense of humor may not be for everybody, but the information she presents is absolutely invaluable. Williams presents good design, bad design, and works to explain what elements make the former work. After reading this book, I started sub-conciously analyzing almost everything around me, from web sites to advertisements, and was able to identify well-designed ones from poorly-designed ones, and what they did right or wrong.

No, you will not become an award-winning graphics designer after one read, but your understanding of principles, and your ability to apply them will increase dramatically. An extremely worthwhile investment for the beginner who needs to suddenly improve his design skills.

Great gift book! Should be required reading in the office.
I won't bore you with detailed analysis of the book... many other reviews mention RW's elegant descriptions of the four page layout elements (proximity, alignment, repetition, contrast). What I will share with you is that I have given this book as a gift a dozen times. Because it is so clearly written and the principles are backed up with easily understandable examples, I give it to folks who don't have a lot of time to study page layout design, but who can benefit from knowing the four principles.

As more and more laypeople put words on paper (in newsletters, brochures, and especially websites), knowing these basic guidelines for why certain pages look better than others and how one can quickly improve a particular layout is timely and essential knowledge. If you need a little help communicating more effectively with your publications (of any kind) or know someone else who does, this would be the first book I'd hand to you. (The next would be RW's The Mac (or PC) is Not a Typewriter.)

Good
This is one of the basic books needed in any designer's collecion. Buy it today!

Terrific Book for Non-Designers
IÕm beginning to wonder if Robin Williams ever sleeps. She seems to have a new title out every couple of weeks. This is Ms. WilliamsÕ second offering of this title.

I have long said that the best thing about DeskTop Publishing is that it puts it in the hands of everybody and the worst thing about DeskTop Publishing is that it puts it in the hands of everybody. Some people just donÕt have an eye for design.

The fact is, because of DeskTop Publishing, many people with no formal training in publishing or design end up having to design something. They find they must create an advertisement, a newsletter, a brochure, a business card or a poster. Panic sets in for those who have no idea where to start, or donÕt understand the fundamentals of good design.

If any of this sounds familiar to you, The Non-DesignerÕs Design Book is your Ôrescue in a book.Õ I really like the many before and after examples she shows of web pages, brochures, business cards, etc. There is an amazing example of a tri-fold brochure before and after on pages 106-107, and a newspaper ad on pages 114-115.

She explains the use of typography very nicely, and explains when to use different kinds of typefaces. (Did you know that most people make the type on their home made business cards too big?)

This book is not a big, heavy tome that goes on forever on its topics. ThatÕs a good thing. It keeps things simple and easy to understand. Each topic is covered well and in an interesting manner. Pick it up at Peachpit with your User Group discount!

A Must Have Book
This is an invaluable reference for everyone. If you are a designer you should read this little book at least once a year. Without a doubt you have forgotten or not used many of the rules and precepts that are in this book. If you are new to design, learn it here and you will be set. The only thing you have to do is not fight your own urge to violate the ideas set out here and you can design print items that rule the world! The best best best book. ... Read more

Reviews (34)

Excellent Resource
I teach digital media and design to grade eleven and twelve students. This is the only book on Color that my students responded to with enthusiasm. The book covers color theory very basically. However, it does an excellent job of covering the more important topics of the meaning and psychology of colors and color combinations. The author uses good examples for each section and the book can be used as a learning tool or a resource you can use again and again. My students found the many pantone color combination swatches very useful in helping setup the color schemes for their designs. My students and I recommend this book highly, You might say this review is 5 stars taken 80 times.

Could have been a lot better
The work by the now defunct arm of Cheskin research, the Color Research Insititute is much more insightful than anything in this book. Unofrtunatley the scientific research undertaken by this insititute is not available to the General Public and is only available through Cheskin.

The color schemes and patterns shown in this book may have been all the rage a few years ago but they definitly do not age very well and are way too bright and gaudy.

The author unfortunatley does not give examples of color schemes that work well and have stood the test of time such as Coca Colas color scheme and IBM's "Big Blue" which is a type of blue which has a very powerful effect on the subconscous mind of the viewer and this color alone was shown to actually increase the sales of IBM products once it was widely implemented in their adevertising campaign.

This book comes across as a marketing tool for the author pitched at large corporate clients, its deliberate attempt not to give any worthwhile information to readers of this book seems to validate this.

Giving this book 2 stars is being generous considering the price. If you know absolutley nothing at all about color then perhaps you will find this book helpful. If you are an interior decorater dont use any of the color scemes this book recommends unless you wish to send your clients to a mental asylum. If you are a markeing manager dont waste your money on this book

Color Thesaurus for the Chromatically Challenged!
As well as for graphic artists.

I am an author as well as entrepreneur and have long researched color combinations for presenting information and creating a recognizable corporate identity.

If you're one of those people who "know what you're looking for" but can't articulate it, this comprehensive guide has every major color combination you could possibly want, conveniently grouped by the "unique color proposition" (like USP, unique selling proposition), you're trying to convey. (If you already have a color scheme selected, you should check it out here to see whether it unwittingly conveys connotations you don't want associated with your company.)

If you're a graphic designer (I'm not), you can plunk this book down in front of a client with some suggestions and save both of you a lot of aggravation and miscommunication.

I've researched just about every "color guide" out there and have found this one by far the most helpful. It's simple and easy to use, practical without a lot of the questionable theorizing other authors on color seem to need to include.

Very practical
This is quite a practical book on how to express, how to talk with colours. You don't find cultural or history thoughts on it.
Nothing about Van Gogh, nothing about Mondrian.
But you can find ways to efective use colours in marketing or web interfaces, for instance.
It's more a book to look at than a book to read. It's pretty well illustrated, mainly with ads.

Excellent to use to help customers choose their color scheme
This book is packed with great color combinations catorgorized into color schemes by the emotional moods they generate. When I am working with clients in web design, I use this book to help them focus on the tone of their website or product. First, they choose from the many categories such as Classic, Strong, Energetic, Calm, etc., and from there they choose one or two of the perfectly matched color combinations for their basic website colors. It's a great visual tool!
Also included are some basics on color theory, setting moods with color, and some useful advice in choosing appropriate colors for different projects.
Well written, easy to read, and to the point, this book has become a favorite on my desk! ... Read more

Book Description

Idea Index kick-started a revolution in graphic design books, unique in size, feel--and most important--wealth of ideas.Layout Index is the next step, a compendium of layout idea-generators that will help designers explore multiple possibilities for visual treatments each time they turn the page. The visual and textual suggestions are divided into eight major areas, including newsletters, flyers, posters, brochures, advertising, stationery, page layout, and Web pages.

Each of these examples are designed to inspire effective solutions in the viewer's mind, rather than simply give specific answers to design problems. The tone and temperament of the design problems, as well as their solutions, vary from traditional to cutting-edge, from corporate to crazy. Designers will learn to solve their design problems, produce fantastic work and become better, more creative thinkers.

* Both creativity books and layout books are extremely popular
* As proven by Idea Index, the format of this book is a proven winner with designers ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Amazing book
Like other reviewers of this book, I am a professional designer. This book is one of the most helpful tools I have ever found. With all due respect, I would like to emphatically disagree with the comments of some other reviewers--I beleive that it is very easy to misunderstand a book like this. The author mentions in the intro (I'm paraphrasing) that this is NOT a book a answers, it's a book of suggestions. A person might think that some of the layouts are unfinished, or plain (not always the case--some layouts are finished and beautiful); I think that this is because a significant effort has been made to avoid presenting layout ideas that leave no room to build. The essentials of good design are never dated. If you are able to look at this book as a treasure chest of ideas, rather than a showcase of someone else's finished work, you will find endless fuel for your own work. As for the size: i LOVE the small format and the plastic cover!! It sits unobrusively on my desk at all times--easy to grab at a moment's notice. This is an amazing book, not like any other in concept, content or form.

What a disappointment!
I love Idea Index. You can flip to any random page and get some creative solutions that hadn't occurred to you. Layout Index, however, is not nearly as useful, innovative or even interesting, unless vintage 1994 design is your idea of "cutting edge". I think the author had these ideas sitting in his desk drawer a little too long.

Unlike Idea Index, which is a hodgepodge of design ideas that are far from finished, Layout Index walks the reader through some solutions. Instead of ideas, you get second-rate finished pieces that won't spark your own ideas. The beauty of the nonlinear index is lost.

I guess this book might be useful for those who need help with their church newsletter or flyers for the kids' birthday party. Will professionals get any use out of this? Nope. I'll give it two stars just because it might come in handy for the soccer moms.

I hate to dog the book... his first one was so good, but I guess that's why this one is such a dud. My expectations were not met.

A simple, helpful guide
Design inspired by this little book leans towards clean & well ordered displays of information. This book provides basics of page building & information distribution.
Beginners will like this book, however, those looking for more complex layout ideas should either work on the existing ideas taking them to the next levels, or peruse other books.

Good Series, Weakest of the Set
This is part of a three book set, which is a great addition to any design library. Unfortunately, this is the weakest of the set - there are a few tidbits, but nothing much. If you buy the other two (Color Index & Idea Index) you will be set. This one I don't recommend to often.

Horrendous!
I have been slowly building my Design Library, and this book made me laugh right out loud! Just by looking at the sample page excerpts offered, one can tell that this book is a total waste of money to anyone with a fine arts-based design degree. But, if you do not have any idea about design, and enjoy cookie-cutter, bland, out-dated design, or if you don't need much to inspire you, then this book would probably be just fine for your library. ... Read more

Book Description

The successful book illustrator starts by understanding his author’s flight of fancy, then rendering the ideas and actions imaginatively in pictorial terms. This unusual and inspiring book was written for art students and ambitious beginners. It instructs on methods of developing both imaginative powers and the technical artistic skills to produce high quality illustrations that will please authors and children’s book editors.Separate chapters focus on:

Reviews (29)

Awesome!
Why didn't anyone think of this before? There's no shortage of "how to" books, but there are VERY FEW books that actually help you come up with the concepts and "looks" for those images and designs. You've probably got shelves full of books that help you use your computer better and faster, what you need now is a book that will help you use your brain better, faster and more creatively. I can guarantee this book won't end up on your shelf...it'll be parked next to your sketchpad or keyboard at all times!

This fat little plastic-bound book has hundreds of well organized and cleverly illustrated images on the right-hand side of each spread, and short topic-relevant sentences on the left. I'm amazed at how quickly it helps me not only run through potential concepts and styles for new projects, but also how it helps me find ways of giving my own not-quite-ready ideas the extra "tweak" needed to bring them up a notch. I can't imagine not having it next to my computer and/or in my carry-all at all times. My advice for freelancers: get one. My advice for agencies and studios: get one for everybody.

DO NOT LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT!
Jim Krause is a genius. This little book is capable of inspiring any graphic designer. The Idea Index is a small book and could fit in most people's pockets. The cover is even durable. Krause knew what he was doing when he created this book.
I am just getting started with graphic design (I am a college student pursuing a degree in graphic design). I have brought this book along with my to my intro graphics class and it never fails me. This is an excellent resource for brainstorming ideas. It is divided into two parts: design ideas in general and also features creative approaches to typography.
Don't leave home without this book.

Don't be fooled by the size of this Book
I have to say that when I saw this book at the bookstore I was curious to see what could a tiny plastic cover book can offer. To my surprise: A LOT!

To begin with: printing quality is the BEST (full black pages, silver pages, etc) plus the paper that is almost heavy weight paper, and the old look that plastic cover gave it... I can't think of a better way to go.

Then, the book is divided into 2 sections: graphic ideas and text ideas. Both of them great inspirational material and also you can learn few nice tricks, so thats a plus.

I strongly recomment you take a look at the others "Index" books by Jim Krause. They're a must for GD's.

To sum up: this is a Great Tiny Book of Ideas.

Grossly Overrated; Not For Professionals
Given the reputation of Jim Krause and the number of positive reviews praising his booklet 'Idea Index' I did expect a lot. I was greatly disappointed: (1) the text is by far too superficial to even touch upon the real problems hidden behind a given idea, and; what is most unpleasant, (2) the illustrations simply do not play in the pro's leage.

Everyone finding inspiration in in 'Idea Index' will equally love the infamous Corel Draw Clipart Collection. The rest of us would get more ideas in any Graphis periodical or simply on a walk in the park.

geezum!
this is a NICE book.

This is book for those who are at least somewhat aquainted with the principals of graphic design (and are maybe too busy to have the time to actually read technical wordy book.. this is a picture book. You see and draw your own conclusions and decide your own methodology)

Jim Krause is a brilliant designer... and just seeing all the "variations on a theme" (diffrent ideas for one concept or word) he does all in one organised place; its a beautiful thing. Even on the occassions when I didnt like the design, I usually found it impressive; aside from that.. well... you cant win them all, can you?! ^_~

If you can conceptualize and execute designs, but need a little nudge or a fresh outlook now and again this is a great book; full of "now why didn't *I* think of that?" ideas. ... Read more

Book Description

Provides a definitive visualsurvey of type to help the typographer use type tobest effect.It features:profiles of influential designers; the qualitiesthat make a type design effective; characteristics, applications, and creative uses of each of theseven major typeface groups; special typographiceffects; and advantages and disadvantages of desktop publishing typography.A hands-ondesign guide for typographers, graphic artists,desk top publishers, and advertising productionpeople who want to sharpen their attention todetail and develop a sensitive typographical eye. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Worths to read again and again
To those who wants to know more about typography, this book teaches you enough required knowledge so you can study more advanced subjects. It offers a brief but useful introduction on the history of typography. I'll recommend this book to anyone who is interested in typography.

Time for an update.
I have reviewed and ordered this book as a text for my Typography students. It is very encompassing and thorough, providing many examples of typefaces and type usage. I probably would have given this review 5 stars if this was not the same publication that appeared in 1992. This book is worth keeping refreshed. The authors have gone to great lengths to provide excellent "contemporary" examples, so after 8 years it is time to address the issue of contemporary. Still, it is the best I could find out of many, and have adopted it for my course. ... Read more

Book Description

Renowned typographer and poet Robert Bringhurst brings clarity to the art of typography with this masterful style guide. Combining the practical, theoretical, and historical, this edition is completely updated, with a thorough exploration of the newest innovations in intelligent font technology, and is a must-have for graphic artists, editors, or anyone working with the printed page using digital or traditional methods. ... Read more

Reviews (50)

I can't remain in my profession without this book.
As a designer, I am always looking to hone my skills. I thought I was adept at setting type until I found this gem. Bringhurst's study of type covers the obvious to the arcane. Beautifully designed, it illustrates type and their families, page geometry, philosophies of design, and typesetting rules. Master Craftsman, Hermann Zapf (you know -- his faces are in your computer) said himself that "he wishes to see this book become the Typographers Bible". This book is a must for the writer, publisher, designer, and editor because it covers a multitude of topics and rules vital and common to each sector. This is the "Manual of Style" for typesetting. It requires us to think more carefully about the setting of words and its impact on writing: "Typography is to literature what musical performance is to composition -- full of endless opportunity for insight OR obtuseness." I recommend this for anyone even remotely interested in the artform of letters. I highly recommend it for writers considering designing their own books.

Only five stars?
How can I possibly only give this work five stars? Robert Bringhurst's "Elements of Typographic Style" is more than a list of prescriptions. It is a definitive reference which explores the history behind typography, and uses that history to explain in its clear, lucid way why rules exist. Where the antiquated rules have no practical basis, Bringhurst is quick to dispell their necessity - but he neither dismisses them nor rejects them.

The visual beauty of this book is apparent upon opening it - it is a model of all it preaches. It addresses ongoing issues of basic formatting and page shaping, but also modern needs such as setting more than one language in one text - including those that read right to left (e.g., Arabic scripts). The simple yet elegant writing style makes reading this work a pleasure in itself. Anyone who deals with type - and this now means most everyone - should read this book; its advice is complementary, or even superior, to a style manual.

The Amazon editorial above lays out its sections, and as that shows, the book covers the full breadth of modern typography and page composition.

I strongly recommend this book. It is an honour to read it.

One of the Few Really Fine Works on Classic Typography
Along with the later book by James Felici, called "The Complete Manual of Typography" from Adobe Press, Bringhurst's book is a landmark work in English for any level of typgographic study.
Read it slowly and carefully for all the nuggets he leaves in a trail for us to follow. An amazing, brilliant effort no graphic design person should omit from his or her typographic education.

The book to own
If you were allowed only one book on typography, it should be this one. Bringhurst is a poet. He loves language, written language, and all its parts. That love comes through in the text and the visual presentation of every page.

Bringhurst advocates a subdued typographic style. This makes good sense in the vast majority of cases, since typography is the servant of the text that it carries. Like any good servant, it should be unobtrusive, well dressed, and competent to handle every task it is given, quietly and promptly. Bringhurst demonstrates nearly everything he says, starting first with this book itself.

The book is a beautiful artifact, with an elegant and informative page layout. Body text, side- and foot-notes, references, running titles, and more - they all fit together well on the page. Each kind of information is set off only slightly, but clearly and predictably. The content is well organized: prose in the early chapters, reference material in the later chapters and appendices, and all the intermediates in the middle of the book. Diagrams and tables are minimalist and communicative.

The text spans centuries, from ancient Egyptian page layouts to the rationale behind Unicode. Bringhurst is passionate about typography's history, and insists that it inform every modern decision about print and printing. He embraces the new just as much, and is careful to note the strengths and weaknesses of each typographic technology.

Bringhurst discusses far too many topics to touch on here. In every case, though, he brings his poet's sense to all of the writing, using witty, descriptive language for even the most mundane of technical issues. The one weakness I saw was in the geometry of page layouts. I like his mathematical rigor and esthetic practicality. Still, I think that the number of different constructions was more a tribute to what can be done than to what serves a real need.

This is the best, most complete text I know on book design. As Bringhurst points out, there are lots of other uses for type than books, but he chose books as his subject - I have no problem with that limitation. The only problem I saw, and not really a problem with the book itself, is its subtlety. The nuances (well, most of the nuances) he discusses are important. Beginners, however, may not see the significance of small matters. Once a reader's eye it tuned to the fine detail, however, this book is the most helpful I know.

An anal examination of type.
If you are into fonts in a big way you'll like this book. If you design fine books you'll enjoy it. Much on history. The section equating musical scales seemed insane to me. The derivations of the names of the fonts (obscure mythological or operatic characters) is interesting but useless. Most of the book is useless to me at this point in my design career. I'm looking for something more concrete. Something that compares the legibility and usability of various fonts or gives examples of why a designer would choose one font over another for which type of job. I was looking, perhaps, for a discussion on the relative merits of slab serifs vs. other types of serifs, or x-height and usability, or think and thin strokes on serif type. I just finished reading "The Elements of Graphic Design" by Alex W. White which, for me, was much more instructive, giving me concrete reasons for using various styles. Not to say I didn't learn something. The section on analphabetic characters was enlightening as was the comparison of different fonts that really aren't what they seem to be (two entirely different fonts named Garamond). I now know that when people speak about the relative excellence of Garamond they probably don't know what they are talking about. Two stars may seem low but I think people here generally overrate things. I didn't find it very readable either. Still I'd like to have it in my library, good reference on rare occasions. If you are a font fanatic, go for it. ... Read more

Book Description

Almost three years after the appearance of Los Logos comes Dos Logos (the sequel!). Dos Logos presents extensive examples of contemporary logo design in even greater depth and charts new developments in the field. Taking the same shape as its' predecessor Dos Logos explores the exceptional visual language and stylistic approaches to logo creation by designers from around the globe. It is comprehensively indexed, catalogued by subject and systematically structured according to various search criteria. It also classifies the work according to the industry or purpose for which it was designed (music, fashion, corporate, etc). In addition, the book contains more unusual applications and a broader range of logos including those used on building facades, on clothing and as illuminated advertising ... Read more

Amazon.com

The Non-Designer's Scan and Print Book (Non-Designer's Series) is an excellent guide for beginners who want to learn the essentials of scanning images and printing professional-looking publications. Authors Robin Williams and Sandee Cohen are two well-known desktop publishing (DTP) experts who have written a number of acclaimed computer-graphics books, and here they do an outstanding job of distilling the core elements of scanning, manipulating, and outputting images from high-tech, esoteric details.

Williams and Cohen commence their tour of scanning and printing by explaining how to plan your project. They begin by encouraging you to choose your paper, colors, graphics, binding, number of folds and copies, and printing methods. Then they introduce you to basic DTP and business issues like resolution, paper size, print area, cost of goods, fonts, and PostScript. Their highly rudimentary approach even includes a discussion of the type of printing device necessary to complete your project and whether you will need to use an inkjet, laser, dye-sublimation, or thermal wax printer. From there, they look to the essentials of commercial printing, finding a print shop, working within a budget, and using processes such as letterpress, flexography, and gravure.

Subsequent chapters delve into computer issues like software applications commonly used for DTP projects and how they handle color modes, raster images, resolution, vector images, and file formats. You also tackle color issues such as process color printing, using spot colors and duotones, and specifying the number of colors in a publication.

Image acquisition plays a big role in completing any project, and the authors provide helpful tips for using scanners, digital cameras, Kodak Photo CD-ROMs, stock photography, and clip art. Finally, you study printer topics such as using high-res output, working with service bureaus, determining output specs such as client and delivery information, writing film specs, using printer's marks, understanding resolution and linescreen issues, trapping, and proofing your job. There's also a preflight checklist to help you determine whether you've thought everything through. At the end of the book, you get quizzes or projects for most of the chapters as well as a list of resources for more information. --David Wall ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Great book!!
I was a technical trainer for four years and was in charge of teaching classes such as color theory, digital printing, scanning etc. I really loved this book because it put everything together for me after about 10 months of scraping information from a lot of different sources. You can't go wrong with this book.

Pithy
These ladies have put together a very clear, concise, comprehensive handbook for the non-pro publisher. They walk you through all the essentials of desktop publishing, and all your choices, pointing out the advantages and disadvantages of each choice.

Dwight M Stark

MADE ME A SUCCESS!!!
Three years ago, my boss decided that we should create our own advertising and brochures. I purchased a Mac G3 and went to work, learning everything I could about design. If I hadn't read this book, I would have been a miserable failure. Instead, I was able to create my first brochure (which the printer said was in the top 90% of the brochures he had seen) in less than two months. This book taught me about resolution, file formats, and everything else I needed to know to have my brochure and ads printed correctly. Although I own many books and resources on graphic design and output, this is the one I could not have done without!

Sandee and Robin, thank you so much for your help! I couldn't have done it without you!

Benjamin Summers, M.B.A. Tomorrow's Resources Unlimited, Inc. www.truball.com

I wish I would have had this book 3 years ago!
I am a non-designer. Between you and me I've had no idea what I'm doing lo these last 2 1/2 years that I've been editor of my User Group's newsletter. Sometimes I'll have to deal with advertisers and printers and they'll start throwing around terms like "linescreen," "halftone," "moire patterns," and "rotogravure." Actually I've never heard that last one used in anything but the song "Easter Parade," and this book defines it.

Oh sure, I *thought* I knew what I was doing, at least well enough to get by. I had a copy of PageMaker and a few hours of "show-me" from the previous editor. But after reading this book, I now know that I really didn't have a clue how to do this properly. And it's too bad I didn't get this book earlier, because now we've got a layout editor on board who's an actual pro! Oh well.

This book is aimed squarely at people like me, people who have the responsibility of creating flyers, newsletters, pamphlets, advertisements, etc., but who really don't know much about it. It is not at all condescending when it begins at the very beginning, describing the very basics of printing such as resolution, dots, the different kinds of printers, the different kinds of print-shops, and what questions to ask in order to get the best results.

It proceeds to explain the different types of graphics. Every wonder what the real difference between a BMP and a JPG are? It's in here. Along with PNG, TIF, EPS, WMF, and just about every other graphic type used. Also, the distinction between vector images and raster images is explained.

The focus of the book tends to be on Adobe products, which is alright for me since I've been using Adobe PageMaker to do the newsletter, but if you're a QuarkXPress users, it may put you off a bit. And if you're trying to do newsletters using a word processor such as Word or WordPerfect, this book will set you straight. In fact, if you're doing that, this is just the book for you since it will show you all of the limitations of that approach.

This book isn't necessarily for the recent buyer of a scanner who's just looking for ways to make their photo scans look good. It's probably overkill for that, since one chapter alone covers the essentials for great scans. It is full of useful tips, formulas, and rules of thumb that will prove replaceable in my library.

One of the appendices at the end of the book has quizzes for each chapter, and some of the questions are based on theoretical projects. This is all very helpful, but I didn't see this until I reached the end of the book. It might've been useful if the end of each chapter would have mentioned taking the available quiz. This is my only complaint.

Did I mention that this book is comprehensive. It covers everything! My brain sorta hurts from all the new information I've just received. And the embarrassing thing is that I should have known this information before I ever became editor. ... Read more

Book Description

Typography today exists in conflict with classical font design and contemporary influences such as analogue distortion, screen applications, street culture, deconstruction and hand lettering. Type One not only presents an overview of the diversity in current typography, but also investigates conventions that have become established and valid new approaches.

In addition to a rich selection of typefaces and their applications, the book features articles by and interviews with international experts such as Jean François Rappot, Norm and Professor Tanja Diezmann. Topics range from the democratization of the font creation process by the computer to how much existing approaches are based on the same fonts. These texts are edited and commented by Silja Bilz, former project director at the renowned Linotype Library.

While Type One provides practical context and examples, it also investigates the experimental and inspirational side of font design. This combination makes the book an ideal resource for anyone seeking an up to date exploration and understanding of typography. ... Read more

Book Description

Follow the advice of this thirty-year veteran of world-renowned publications, and you will forever remove your newsletter from the junk-mail pile. Numerous examples of the best newsletters from around the country are shown, each highlighted with interpretive text. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Useful
This book is very useful and I use it as a guide when producing newsletters for my campus. The author's tone is a bit high-handed but the information is invaluable. There are examples of styles and set-ups for very fine standard styles. Not anything cutting-edge in it, though. The author is thorough in language useage and styles. Lots of what not to dos in here.

Really old book
This is a good book with lots of tried and true design tips, but if you're looking to redesign your newsletter and give it a "current" feel, be forwarned: this book is almost 10 years old, and the sample newsletters they feature show it. I think it's a good book, but given its age it should be cheaper.

Excellent Source for Designing a Polished Newsletter
With this book plus "Producing a First-Class Newsletter" By Barbara A. Fanson, I learned everything I needed to know to produce a very polished redesign of the monthly newsletter for my company's customers. Well worth the money. ... Read more

Book Description

A wealth of insider information for graphic designers collected from vendors illuminates how to get faster, more accurate and less expensive results.Prepress services, paper merchants, photographers, copywriters, illustrators, printers, and web technicians are all included, with information for each provided in quick informed tips.

* This book will appeal to designers of all experience as well as desktop publishers
* Saves designers time and money--the two things they need most
* Invaluable information presented in quick, easy bite-sized pieces ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Covers the basics of how to survive in the profession
Graphic designers will appreciate an approach which covers the basics of how to survive in the profession. From obtaining strong copy and locating the right illustrator for the job to producing professional-quality photos and preparing digital files, this covers all the details necessary to build professional working relationships with writers, illustrators, Web technicians and others. An essential reference. ... Read more

Book Description

**Popular Journal Illustrating Book < Redesigned With An Attractive New Cover < & Illustration and Is Now Available In < See Through Shrink Wrap. < **Postponed Till Spring 99"** ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Great place to start with keeping a visual diary!
This book is simple introduction to visual diary-keeping and will be enjoyed by people looking for a short, unintimidating, introduction to this topic.

Blending drawing and writing in journals
When I bought the first edition of this book several years ago, I went back and bought 6 more copies which I gave to my closest friends. Each felt as I did, that this was a profound book that stimulated creative journal keeping for inner and outer experiences to sharpen every day. I'd long looked for someone who could guide my urges to write and to draw, to stimulate me to put my observations out where I could really grasp them. Hinchman showed me the way with writing and memory exercises which I actually did and enjoyed, basic art technique, encouragement, and the idea that my scribbles and jottings could become a treasured personal record.

Essential reading for anyone who keeps a journal.
This book has created a nationwide interest in illustrated journal-keeping. It's a friendly, exquisitely illustrated volume from someone who is obviously nature-connected and literate to boot. If you like maps, natural history illustration, or if you are one of those who have always wanted to draw, but don't believe you can....this is the book for you ... Read more

Book Description

Romantik presents classical romantic elements through outstanding examples of contemporary illustration, photography and graphic design.While making a clear reference to nineteenth century Romanticism, the book defines a current version of the term through its selections and presentation.

The book features examples expanding the forms of visual expression available in our computer-dominated world and develops style elements existing beyond the canon of forms used in the 1990s. In place of uncluttered surfaces and clean lines, colorful collages and ornaments are used to generate a feeling of warmth, closeness or commitment.

Since the computer is a creative tool, today's "Romantik" is pragmatic rather than dogmatic. At the same time, the book challenges the role of the computer in the design process, appealing to the romantic in all of us. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Not just a companion to the movie....!!!
Believe it or not i first read the book and watched the movie later! A very good book to discover the amazing world and the huge amount of work, people and creativity hidden behind this film and stop motion animation.

Splendid!
An extremely wonderful book, and a must-have for all die-hard Nightmare fans. Aside from the new special edition DVD of the film, this will give you all the behind-the-scenes info that's readily availible to the public. The book tells everything about Nightmare--from the poem Burton wrote while at Disney, to the credits of who worked on the movie.

AWESOME BOOK
I got this book for my husband and it's a must have for fans of Tim Burton and Danny Elfman. The book contains beautiful photographs and drawings that made this movie come alive.

love it!
i love this book! its like watching the movie, but reading it. it takes you back to halloweentown without leaving your house!

A wonderful companion to the film
This colorful, coffee-table book turns out to be quite a very interesting read and an excellent book for both TNBC fans and Tim Burton fans in general. The book gives a solid overview of the creation of TNBC, from concept to production to the finished product.

On the plus side: Many original, and beautiful, concept sketches and artwork, both by Tim Burton and other conceptual artists; the complete lyrics to all of Danny Elfman's score, a very facsinating look at the actual production (creation of sets, puppets, mechanics behind stop-motion) of TNBC.

On the negative side: Nothing to speak of. A nice touch would've been the inclusion of Burton's original poem (now woefully out of print), but ah well.

Highly recommended! ... Read more

Book Description

This book is the first monograph on the product designer Ross Lovegrove. Written by the designer himself, with a forward by Paola Antonelli, it presents a complete overview of the designer's career, featuring realized and unrealized project. While the main texts explains Ross Lovegrove’s philosophy and way of working, the products descriptions reveal the main feature and characteristic of every project. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Inspiring
Ross Lovegrove Britain's prolific and unique product designer is profiled in a beautifully produced volume called Supernatural: The Work of Ross Lovegrove. Nature and organic shapes influence Lovegrove's designs. His designs come to life and push the boundaries of what is possible with the help of modern materials and technology. He has designed for Knoll, Capellini, Moroso, Kartell and many others. Enriched with 300 photographs Supernatural presents a variety of chairs, house wares, and even a bike. ... Read more

Book Description

In this unique and appealing volume, award-winning book designer Richard Hendel and eight other talented book designers on both sides of the Atlantic discuss the challenges of their work in trade and scholarly publishing. Through their detailed descriptions of the creative process of book design, illustrated with many examples, we learn how designers discover the most effective visual presentation of words. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Excellent
Thoughtful and thorough, and offering no easy answers, this book forces one to think for herself. On a par with Hochuli's 'Design of Books'.

A new classic -- a great find.
This is a new breed of book design; but it is bred out of classicism. Being involved in an antiquarian artform during the dawn of computer technology poses many problems. One of them is the disappearance of really well designed books. So, in an attempt to preserve The Book's integrity, I searched for new guidance on this ancient art. This book ended my search. Rather than quibble with new design trends, resist new technology, or morosely revisit bygone eras, Hendel see these as "points of departure" and sticks to the real issue -- the design of books. The result is not a strict set of rules for book design, rather, it is a fluid and applicable philosophy of design for the many types of books we find today. "The challenge," says Hendel, "isn't to create something different or pretty or clever but to discover how best to serve the author's words." This book is informative, enlightening and filled with lovely samples from distinguished designers. A very beautiful book. Writers will enjoy learning how designers make well-thought creative decisions about the spaces that words flow into.

Book Designers on Book Design
When Henry David Thoreau made a complete list of each and every possession he had at Walden Pond, he curiously omitted one thing: He forgot the pencil that enabled him to make the list. Successful book design, says Richard Hendel, often goes as unnoticed and unappreciated as Thoreau's pencil. It is, as Beatrice Warde once said, a transparent goblet, so that (writes Hendel) "the very invisibility of its design is to its credit." Hendel should know, having worked for many years as a highly regarded book designer, most recently with the University of North Carolina Press. Thankfully, this is not a prosaic instructional manual--"it is a book about how books are designed," he cautions, "not a book about how to design books"--but a medley of honest reflections about how book designers see, think, and feel. Written by the author and eight other American and British designers, it is illustrated by 110 black and white examples, among them several pieces by Iowa-born designer Merle Armitage and the University of Nebraska's Richard Eckersley, two of the century's most inventive (yet unheralded) book designers. With surprising candor, the text asks: How do book designers get their ideas? What do they worry about? How did they approach a particular book? And what difference does it all make? After all, confides Hendel, prize-winning book designs are largely unappreciated, cost more to produce, and are rarely available in bookstores. "There isn't any correlation between what books look like and how they sell," he laments. "Design seems to make no difference." Of particular interest is a section about the design of this book, which led us to wonder how well it will sell, whether bookstores will carry it, and (hopefully, because it has much to offer) the extent to which it might inspire other, younger book designers. (Copyright by Roy R. Behrens from Ballast Quarterly Review, Vol. 14, No. 4, Summer 1999.) ... Read more

Book Description

This book follows up to the success of dgv’s bestseller Lingua Grafica, which has established itself as a leading tool for guiding international designers in their everyday work. The expectations of fans of its predecessor will not be disappointed – Lingua Universalis also features a structured portfolio of the latest logos and icons done by the Mutabor design studio.

Lingua Universalis explains the process behind logo creation from the perspective of the award-winning creative team. Mutabor breaks down the development of various logos into a series of steps. This visual presentation shows designers examples of how they can approach complex and abstract subjects in logo design.

With Lingua Universalis, another book has been created which will serve designers worldwide as both a source of inspiration and a practical reference work.

See also: Lingua Grafica ... Read more