Reviews (19)

The textbook I go back to most often
This was one of my favorite textbooks from design school. It's the one I refer back to most often, because I know what I want will be there, and will be presented clearly. It is the most complete reference I have in my library for flat-patternmaking, and covers everything from making basic slopers from measurements (the book provides measurements for standard sizes, or substitute a real client's), through all sorts of bodices, sleeves, collars, skirts, pants, and other details. Also included are sections on knitwear, including swimwear, and a good portion of the book is devoted to children's clothing. Highly recommended and well worth the price.

Excellent!
This is a great book to learn how to make patterns and also a great reference if you already know how. The pictures and diagrams are very detailed and helpful and the instructions are easy to read. I highly reccomend it!

[Knock off]
Okay, this book promises good stuff, but ... could it be any harder to understand? You basically need two books to interpret how to make a single pattern. Very vague. We use this book at FIDM and I think it would have been better if the two books we use were put into one. Use it if you must, because it is a good reference for children's and body suits. Also, the illustrations are better than most.

It has its shortcomings
This is the book we use at my college. I can't compare it to other patternmaking books, but I know that Armstrong's has problems and really needs a good editor. Occasionally, steps are missing and measurements aren't accurate, and both my classmates and my teacher have found it frustrating.

The Teacher's Guide
I am living in Jamaica West Indies,We do not have this book here on the market so a friend who travel brought it and lown it to me .As a fashion desinging teacher i found this book very good,i need one for myself but i can notbuy it through this method.
So the bottom line is i used this book as my teaching guide.
Thank you.
I am,
Cynthia Mcdonald.
31 Aqualitavale Ave,
Kingston 20.
jamaica West Indes. ... Read more

Book Description

From an interactive website to a business card, a brand must be recognizable, differentiated and help build customer loyalty. This indispensable resource presents brand identity fundamentals and a comprehensive dynamic process that help brands succeed. From researching the competition to translating the vision of the CEO to designing and implementing an integrated brand identity program, the meticulous development process is presented through a highly visible step by step approach in five phases: research and analysis, brand and identity strategy, brand identity design, brand identity applications and managing brandassets.

From global corporate mergers through entrepreneurial ventures and nonprofit institutions, twenty-two case studies portray the brand identity process in action. They illustrate a range of challenges and methodologies and represent a select group of branding and multidisciplinary design firms.

The scope of material includes history of identity design up to the latest information about online brand identity standards, naming and trademarking, with practical project management resources about decision making, and creating brand briefs.

Alina Wheeler specializes in brand identity. She uses her strategic imagination to help build brands, create new identities, and design integrated brand identity programs for Fortune 100 companies, entrepreneurial ventures, cities and foundations. Wheeler works closely with founders, CEO¹s and senior management to insure that their vision and their brand identity are communicated clearly to accelerate the success of their organizations. She has been the principal of several design firms as well as a consultant to some of America¹s largest business consulting groups. She is a former national board member of AIGA and was named an AIGA Fellow in 1998.

Hallmark Features

• Unlike most books that show identity programs, this book outlines a rigorous, complex and proven process from research and analysis through the design development of a new identity and online standards through launch and brand asset management.
• Comprehensive, easy to understand guide that is organized by spreads bysubject for easy reference.
• An indispensable reference for anyone with responsibility for brandidentity.
• Meaningful and actionable information that will accelerate the success ofany brand identity project.
• A toolkit for design firms and professionals, design students and designmanagers.
• Presents the relationship between effective brand identity and creating,building and managing successful brands.
• Presents case studies from Cingular, Amazon, Citibank, TAZO, Zoom, HarleyDavidson, FedEx and twenty others.

Reviews (11)

A "must read" for anyone interested in brand identity
Too many books targeted to designers err on the side of a "showcase" presentation which exposes designers to the final solutions with little or no substance illuminating the process. This book will provide a comprehensive roadmap for designers and their clients.

"Designing Brand Identity" provides the information and processes to empower designers to transition into a more valuable role as consultants on identity and branding, not just the creator of visual symbols and logotypes. It is a look behind the scenes at a process which others capable of addressing have chosen to protect as proprietary information. Thanks, Alina for sharing your wisdom and experience.

An essential tool for business leaders and strategists
This author has tackled the vital topic of brand identity in a new way. In the beginning of the book Alina Wheeler says that she want to provide "an accessible resource that provides a road map to the process, explains some fundamental concepts, and showcases best practices." The book delivers on this promise!

What differentiates it from other books on this topic is that Wheeler's book really IS accessible. This comes from the unique way in which it is organized. You can simply flip open the book to any spread and have a specific concept explained, illustrated, and illuminated by relevant quotations. This makes it an excellent reference work -- keep it by your desk to quickly look up any topic. For example, you might be advocating a particular course of action at your company that you just know is the right way to go. You can turn to Wheeler's book to marshall specific evidence and articulate rationales to make your case.

In the beginning, she discusses 9 brand identity ideals: vision, meaning, authenticity, differentiation, sustainability, coherence, flexibility, commitment and value. Once you have reviewed each concept you understand how each plays a role in successful brand identities.

However, this is not primarily a book of theory. Wheeler breaks down the practical steps involved and outlines each, from the legal process to signage design. Case studies of successful brand identities take up the final portion of the book.

My one criticism is that book is not completely in color, as the topic demands. (There is a color insert showing many of the brands from the case studies.) No doubt this was a decision of the publisher!

Professionals at agencies or design firms may think they have this material mastered, but this book gives you the distilled essentials that you'll find extremely useful. But the key audience, in my view, should be business students or leaders who seek to better understand that, as Wheeler says, "brand identity is an asset that needs to be managed, nourished, invested in, and leveraged."

The title of this book might mislead you
When I put my hands on this book, I thought I would be adding one more point of view to my knowledge about brand identity, but this didn't quite happen.

This book isn't really about designing brand identity itself, but mostly about materializing brand identity into the visual identity of a company, limiting its whole concept. Furthermore, it is known that mere visual identity doesn't make a brand any stronger, as the title suggests.

Anybody with some previous brand identity knowledge in the marketing sense might get a little frustrated, had this person expected deep explanations about the creation of a brand identity plan (for that I would recommend Aaker's work).

On the other hand, if you are a designer willing to understand how to develop a visual identity linked to a brand identity, this book could be very useful.

It's about identity, but not about the brand process
This *is* a great book when it comes to showing how to put together a coherent, soup-to-nuts identity program. But the title of the book is misleading - there's very little in this book about actually creating, building or maintaining strong brands per se. This wilfully confuses the logo for the company behind the logo. As Paul Rand once said of his logo for the ABC television network, it wasn't a matter of whether his logo lived up to the network, but whether the network lived up to the logo! The brand process involves a lot of non-graphical thought regarding the spirit or essence of what that organization is all about. "Is that an IBM thing to do?" The brand identity is, at best, only the surface expression: the brand is the idea of the company in its customers' minds. In that sense, creating and maintaining a strong brand is really about having clear direction, consistent policies and actions, and understanding that markets are conversations, not about whether the carpet matches the business cards and the Web site.

A Must for EBusiness
Most people who study ebusiness at universities either focus on website design, marketing/logistics of ebusiness, or systems/software. This book gets to the heart of conducting business over the internet - combining brand recognition with eye catching design and a quality/product or service. University programs and businesses looking to be successful in ecommerce should make this book required reading. ... Read more

Book Description

Critical acclaim for previous editions of A History of Graphic Design

"I expect it to become a foundation and keystone of serious study . . . it is a fortress work." -Communication Arts

"[It] traces the role of the designer as a messenger of culture." -STA Journal

"Now . . . a hefty, yet concise, documentation of the entire field exists." -Print

"It is a noble and formidable undertaking." -he Artist's Magazine

"An excellent and invaluable work." -Library Journal

"This is a reference work that reads like a novel. It's comprehensive, authoritative, graphic, and exciting." -U&lc: The Journal of Typographics

"[This book] establishes graphic design as a profession. Bravo!" -Design Issues

"A significant attempt at a comprehensive history of graphic design . . . it will be an eye-opener not only for general readers, but for designers who have been unaware of their legacy." -The New York Times

"Mr. Meggs enthusiastically conveys these excitements to us, from the invention of photography and 'popular graphics of the Victorian era' through the Arts and Crafts movement, Art Nouveau, the Secession, the isms . . . to the Modern Movement. . . . More importantly, he shows us the joins as well as the parts."-rinting World

After a decade of research by the author, the first edition of A History of Graphic Design was heralded as a publishing landmark by the Association of American Publishers, who awarded it a coveted award for publishing excellence. Now, after fifteen years of development in graphic design, this expanded and updated Third Edition includes hundreds of full-color images and new material in many areas, including alphabets, Japanese and Dutch graphics, and the computer revolution which has impacted all aspects of contemporary design and communications. With its approximately 1,200 illustrations, lucid text, and interpretive captions, the book reveals a saga of creative innovators, breakthrough technologies, and important design innovations.

Graphic design is a vital component of each culture and period in human history, and in this account, an extraordinary panorama of people and events unfolds, including:
* The Invention of Writing and Alphabets
* Medieval Manuscript Books
* The Origins of Printing and Typography
* Renaissance Graphic Design
* The Arts and Crafts Movement
* Victorian and Art Nouveau Graphics
* Modern Art and Its Impact on Design
* Visual Identity and Conceptual Images
* Postmodern Design
* The Computer Graphics Revolution

A History of Graphic Design is recognized as a seminal work; this Third Edition surpasses in detail and breadth the content, design, and color reproduction of previous editions. It is required reading for professionals, students, and everyone who works with or loves the world of graphic design. This comprehensive reference tool is an invaluable visual survey that you will turn to again and again. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Must have reference book for graphic designers
In my opinion, this 3rd Edition "A History of GD" is the best reference book written about graphic design. This 500 plus pages book/bible is simply divided into 5 sections, 1) The Prologue to Graphic Design, 2) A Graphic Rennaissance, 3) The Industrial Revolution, 4)The Modernist Era, and 5) The Age of Information. The topics range from the invention of writing to, creation of new typogrphic styles to, the digital revolution and computer art. There are plenty of graphics and photos on every page to accompany the wonderfully written text. If you study art history or graphic design, I think this would be a great reference book to have. It will take some time to read the entire book. But this is like a text book, so, reading only part of the chapters would be quite informative as well. Once you are done, you will definitely appreciate graphic design/graphic designers.

A History of Graphic Design by Phillip Meggs 3rd Ed.
This is an excellent text for first year Design Majors. It teaches the beginnings of graphics and typography from the very basic elements of cave paintings to the electronic graphic era. There is an enormous amount of information in this book. A benefit to anyone interested in the area of design.

A History of Graphic Design by Philip Meggs
I am a student of Graphic Design, and was assigned this book as a supplementary text for my class of the History of Graphic Design. I am impressed with his well-written and considerable text as well as accompanying pictures. This is is a well-researched and thorough compilation of information which starts at 6000BC. I would consider this to be the bible to any graphic design student.

Who chose the typeface for this book?
As much as I admire Phillip Meggs for the historical content and the wealth of images in this book, I have one criticism-the text is not readable. Speaking as a designer and as a college instructor, this book would be more readable had the publisher used a serif typeface. What good is clean design and excellent content if the text puts the reader to sleep?

A very good book for introductory design
This book gives a concise background on the history of graphic design. It incorporates how graphic artists react to the times and societal issues they are faced with, and how they influence the world around them with their innovations. The collection of images is quite spectacular! A must have for every graphic designer and/or art lover! ... Read more

Book Description

The One Show Annual Volume 26

Great advertising and design can make the world stop and think. It can make people listen. And, sometimes it can even change a person's life. THE ONE SHOW ANNUAL VOLUME 26 celebrates all of the qualities that go into making a successful ad campaign or design. Considered by many to be the benchmark in advertising annuals, this year's edition features the very best work from around the world from the 2004 One Show and One Show Design. In these pages you'll find over 1,500 four-color images from the finalists and winning entries, insider perspectives from the Gold Pencil winners, a spotlight on the Client of the Year, the college competition winners and a look into the judging process with a Judge's Choice section. Lavishly produced with full-color throughout, this is the must-have annual for creatives, clients, students and anyone interested in advertising and design. Categories covered include print, design, integrated branding, television and radio. 576 pages, 9 x 12, over 1500 full color images. ... Read more

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

Book Description

Whether a marketing campaign or a museum exhibit, a video game or a complex control system, the design we see is the culmination of many concepts and practices brought together from a variety of disciplines. Because no one can be an expert on everything, designers have always had to scramble to find the information and know-how required to make a design work until now.

Universal Principles of Design is the first comprehensive, cross-disciplinary encyclopedia of design. Richly illustrated and easy to navigate, it pairs clear explanations of every design concept with visual examples of the concepts applied in practice. From the "80/20 rule to chunking, from baby-face bias to Ockham's razor, and from self-similarity to storytelling, every major design concept is defined and illustrated for readers to expand their knowledge.

This landmark reference will become the standard for designers, engineers, architects, and students who seek to broaden and improve their design expertise. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

A must have for every serious designer
---"The best designers sometimes disregard the principles of design. When they do so, however, there is usually some compensating merit attained at the cost of the violation. Unless you are certain of doing as well, it is best to abide by the principles" from the Introduction.--- Really a cross reference whether you are designing for screen, print or industry, to tune and power up your designs. Simple 100 design principles laid and explained clearly by example. You will be amazed how instantly it works out. But if you are looking for an inspiration look for other items like "Big Book of Design Ideas"

Better for the Coffee Table than the Design Desk
Much of Universal Principles of Design lacks depth. The reason for this is that the text needed more colloboration than it appears to have asorbed. For something that aspires to be a sort of objective compendium, the topics (and particularly the examples used) are grounded firmly within the author's sphere of knowledge. I correctly guessed both where the authors lived as well as their occupations long before I had finished reading merely because they use so many examples from Houston and software. Unfortunately, this lack of research and colloboration outside of the two authors and their own knowledge creates a shallow, uninformed book.

Universal Principles of Design is far less academic and objective than it proports. For example, if I had based one of my principles on an example I would have researched it beyond merely using internet heresay (DVORAK v. QWERTY, for example). That's not to say it isn't enjoyable, as the text itself is neat, modernist, clean and is, at times, interesting and informative. However, Universal Principles of Design lacks the academic depth needed for usability and never extends beyond introductions and formalities. The book is something that aspires to belong more on the coffee table as a chic relic of interest in design than as a usable, practical text to earmark, underline in, and really utilize as a day to day guidebook.

Exceptional
Wonderful resource, well-written and attractively designed. I can't imagine any designer in any field not finding this invaluable. Ideal for any experience level as well. Hopefully this will become a standard book.

A dictonary of design guidelines
This is one of the best books I've seen lately, combining theory from usability, perception and design. The book consists of small explanatory texts on the left pages, with examples on the right. The chapters of the book are in an alphabetical order; this means for instance that principles from the Gestalt Psychology are devided over different chapters (closure, constancy, good continuation etc.) However, on the bottom of every page is a 'hyperlink' to related chapters. To categorize the chapters the book has a categorical table of contents, with categories like perception, learnability, usability, appeal and design decisions. Students from technical courses, to whom I showed the book, immediately liked it.

Concise and Complete
This is the **most essential design book** I've had the pleasure of learning from. If there was only one book I could only recommend to design students or for client education, this would be it! The organization of the book follows it's own principles, the content is specific and accurate, and it cites and gives credit where due (also promoting deeper study of a subject/concept). I truly value it because of the quality summaries of design principles I've learned elsewhere consolidated into one book. The ONLY thing I would change about the book is to use a Serif typeface on the body texts for better readability.
Excellent writing, excellent topical content, and excellent diagrams and examples.

My compliments to the authors, as well as Rockport (whose books I usually despise for lacking substance despite their nice graphics). ... Read more

Amazon.com

Sexy, modern, and unabashedly consumer-oriented, Art Deco was a new kind of style, flourishing at a time of rapid technological change and social upheaval. Lacking the philosophical basis of other European design movements, Deco borrowed motifs from numerous sources--Japan, Africa, ancient Egyptian and Mayan cultures, avant-garde European art--simply to create novel visual effects. Art Deco 1910-1939 surveys the sources and development of the popular style with more than 400 color illustrations and 40 chapters by numerous design specialists. The authors track Deco around the globe, from Paris to the United States—-where it got its biggest boost from mass production—-to Northern and Central Europe, Latin America, Japan, India, and New Zealand. The book's broad focus encompasses industrial artifacts (the Hindenburg blimp, the Burlington Zephyr locomotive), as well as architecture, furniture, accessories, fashion, jewelry, typography and poster design. Despite the existence of other prominent artistic movements during the 1920s and '30s, the authors tend to hang the Deco label on virtually any object that portrays the effects of technology or employs color, luxury materials or artificial light in striking ways. It does seem a stretch to include Man Ray's photographs, Sonia Delaunay's textiles and the movie King Kong in the Deco pantheon. But the great strength of Art Deco 1910-1939 is that it reveals the social context of Deco, not just its pretty face. The book accompanies an exhibition (organized by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London) at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto through January 4, 2004; subsequent venues are San Francisco and Boston. —Cathy Curtis ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The greatest book on Art Deco!
This book is an absolute triumph. First, it is positively gorgeous - the images just leap off the pages. Second, the essays are more in-depth, engaging, and informative than any other book I've found on the subject. This book discusses every facet of Art Deco as well: it explores the origins at the Paris Exhibition in 1925, goes through the influence in East Asia, Latin America, and South Africa, not to mention Europe. A great chapter on Deco in Hollywood; also explores all of the sources, iconography - and all of this on top of covering every aspect of the movement - ceramics, jewelry, fashion, architecture, glass, photography, graphic design, bookbindings, travel and transport, and so so much more - with stunning visuals. A fantastic read, a great resource, a beautiful work, and an absolute MUST for anyone interested in the subject! Well worth the money, and a fantastic addition to any library. Highly recommended!

The first and last word on Deco.
A sumptuous coffee-table book of this exuberant art style and I think it could well become the standard book on the subject. The forty essays are divided into four sections, Sources and Iconography, 1925 Paris Exhibition, Spread of Deco and finally Deco World, and I liked the way, especially in Sources and Iconography, that the authors explain how various art styles were moulded into deco art which culminated in the very influential 1925 Paris show.

I thought the last two sections were a fascinating coverage of how Art Deco spread around the world, mainly as architecture and fashion, though in Europe also as a fine art style. In North America, it influenced a huge range of commercial products. Perhaps this was the only art form that was truly democratic in that it was available (as streamlining) to be seen or bought on any Main Street across the Nation.

The design and printing are excellent. Many of the photos, especially color, are presented whole page, the rest are all well sized, and they all have captions. The back of the book has a very comprehensive bibliography, fortunately listed as relating to each chapter rather than just an alphabetical list, the index is divided into two, Names and Subject. I was very impressed with this attention to detail and with the excellent text, images and production surely 'Art Deco 1910-1939' will be read for many years to come. ... Read more

Book Description

The Designer's Complete Index. It's creative, powerful, inspiring and real - providing all the insight and problem-solving muscle a designer needs to produce the best work of their life.

This super-cool boxed set contains all three of Jim Krause's best-selling "Index" books, including Idea Index (graphic effects and typographic treatments), Layout Index (your secret weapon for effective, dynamic layouts) and Color Index (over 1100 color combinations with CMYK and RGB formulas). Each volume is packed with hundreds of stimulating ideas, creative solutions and practical instructions.

And the collector's box itself is a prize worth having, a slick yet practical carrying case you can use long after having put the books on your "most valuable resources" shelf. ... Read more

Book Description

Approach page design in a revolutionary new way! Unlike other graphic design books, The Elements of Graphic Design reveals the secrets of successful graphic design from the unique perspective of the page’s "white space." With the help of carefully selected examples from art, design, and architecture, the role of white space as a connection between page elements is thoroughly explored. Clear, insightful comments are presented in a dynamic page design, and interactive design elements, thought-provoking captions, and scores of illustrations challenge designers to "think out of the box." This unique resource is guaranteed to inspire more creative and thorough thinking. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A Strategic Communication Tool!
If you have an intuitive sense of what makes a design good or bad and yet have difficulty conveying that understanding in terms that others can readily grasp, this book is for you.

The Elements of Graphic Design is a great resource not only for qualifying intentional design, but it will also help a designer effectively communicate the necessity of well-thought-out design to the stakeholders of a project. I think most creatives have, at some point, had to justify the design process to people who think of design simply as pretty pictures rather than a strategic marketing platform. While every designer has-or should have-intuitive understanding of the concepts White discusses in this book, his approach gives a very logical framework to follow in explaining why good design processes and planning are necessary. The Elements of Graphic Design is very clear, succinct and densely packed with the most relevant and fundamental aspects of design, which makes this book an excellent resource.

White discusses the concept of negative space (for those of us with formal art training, or simply white space for those with graphics training), the imperative function of truly "seeing" the elements of design and arrangement, and the difference between style and fashion. He also outlines the basics of Purism, simplicity and elegance in design and the communication strategies behind achieving these states of implicit, visual meaning (ie: communicating much in the little). He also delves, briefly, into the way the human brain processes visual information and why certain elements of planned design are effective. In relation, he discusses wayfinding, a concept dealing with how people maneuver through information on a page via visual pathways. Again, a concept as intuitive to an artist as the spring breeding of a hare, but White presents the material in a way that can help designers or artistic directors bridge the gap between the strategic marketing plan and the platform. It will also help you objectively and diplomatically deliver the unfortunate but necessary negation of the ugly, confusing, counterproductive but well-meaning ideas that plague the "idea factories" of many organizations.

A GOOD SOLID BOOK FOR DESIGNERS
Very solid book (but short) packed with examples of why one strategy or tactic might be better than another. I learned a lot and intend to reread the book to make sure I get as much of it absorbed as I can. Very good discussions on type with discussions on line spacing, type size, small caps, grids, symmetry vs. asymmetry, negative and positive space.

Wish I would have read this book before I went to design school. I would have learned a lot more. I also would have been able to speak more intelligently. I learned a lot of terminology that will help me. I'm a better designer now. It's given me more confidence.

Highly recommended for beginners and intermediates. Might be a little thin for experts.

A solid primer for graphic design students
Alex White has hit a home run with his book The Elements of Graphic Design. This definitive introduction to the basics of what makes a succesful visual composition should be in every design classroom and student backpack. The writing is clear and the principals easy to understand and apply. I especially liked the examples and advice on the use of "negative space" and typography. Although the book is geared toward the beginning designer, there are enough advanced concepts and examples to make this a worthwhile reference for designers at all levels. A fine addition to design literature.

Wonderful - An Instant Classic!
A fantastic overview of the principles of layout and how to understand space and "the page", with special concern for the issue of functional white space and learning how to activate it, sculpt it, and not waste it. In a milieu of visual clutter, this gift to the design world (if its message is taken to heart) will help restore order and readability in the communications that surround us. ... Read more

Book Description

We're filling up the world with technology and devices, but we've lost sight of an important question: What is this stuff for? What value does it add to our lives? So asks author John Thackara in his new book, In the Bubble: Designing for a Complex World.

These are tough questions for the pushers of technology to answer. Our economic system is centered on technology, so it would be no small matter if "tech" ceased to be an end-in-itself in our daily lives.

Technology is not going to go away, but the time to discuss the end it will serve is before we deploy it, not after. We need to ask what purpose will be served by the broadband communications, smart materials, wearable computing, and connected appliances that we're unleashing upon the world. We need to ask what impact all this stuff will have on our daily lives. Who will look after it, and how?

In the Bubble is about a world based less on stuff and more on people. Thackara describes a transformation that is taking place now -- not in a remote science fiction future; it's not about, as he puts it, "the schlock of the new" but about radical innovation already emerging in daily life. We are regaining respect for what people can do that technology can't. In the Bubble describes services designed to help people carry out daily activities in new ways. Many of these services involve technology -- ranging from body implants to wide-bodied jets. But objects and systems play a supporting role in a people-centered world. The design focus is on services, not things. And new principles -- above all, lightness -- inform the way these services are designed and used. At the heart of In the Bubble is a belief, informed by a wealth of real-world examples, that ethics and responsibility can inform design decisions without impeding social and technical innovation. ... Read more

Book Description

Since its first appearance, The Art of Floral Design has become the definitive standard in teaching design techniques. In-depth and illustrated in full color, it offers comprehensive information on the principles and mechanics of flower arranging, basic flower anatomy, and arrangement styles for all occasions. This well-written text combines theory and practice to familiarize readers with the basics and guide them through more advanced floral techniques. This book is sure to remain on your reference shelf throughout your career in floral design. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

A Student's Review
A comprehensive guide to floral care and designing. The author has complete instructions with illustrations which are very helpful.
The author also teaches concepts through repetition and ties the chapters together by reviewing past concepts.

Excellent Textbook of the Basics of Floral Design
We used this textbook in our 'intro to floral design' course at Texas A&M University. I thought it did an excellent job of teaching all of the basic design principles, and it also had very good pictures and diagrams to aide in the learning. Unfortunately, I sold this book at the end of the semester, and I wish that I had kept it. I have been looking for a more economically priced floral design book, as complete as this one, and have not been able to find it. I you are a beginning designer, or need the ultimate floral design reference, this is the book for you!

Textbook Style Book
This is a great book. It is a textbook style book, so it is a little on the technical side. If you are interested in retail floristry then you will find it to be a great book. But if you are a hobbyist or are looking for a book to give you ideas for arrangements to place around the house/office this book maybe more technical than you want.

Lacks good design, but great practical knowledge.
Norah Hunter was my floral design instructor, so of course, we used her book. Coming from a strong design background, I think that the arrangements are at best mediocre and lacking creativity. Some of the design theories seem over simplified to me as well. However, although the design instruction falls short in my opinion, the practical knowledge she teaches about flower names, running a floral business, care and handling, etc. are invaluable to anyone working in the floral industry. The book also contains an excellent appendix of flower and foliage names with illustrations.

The Art of Floral Design
"This is the BIBLE OF THE FLORAL INDUSTRY! " That is the exact words my instructor used five years ago when I attended design school. Since that day, I still refer back to it again and again. The techniques and illustrations are wonderfully formatted in such a way that is easy to understand. Everything from the history of floral design up to todays job opportunities within floristry are covered. If you strive to be a knowledgable designer in all areas, this book will surely lead the way. More examples of topics covered are; wiring techniques for corsages, proper care and handling of flowers, understanding color, design principles, controlling cost, holidays, funeral arrangements, the list goes on and on. This is a must have book for any designers library. Sincerely, Julie E. Bargeron ... Read more

Book Description

With over 700 vivid images and illustrations along with the wisdom of numerous practicing designers, this book provides a practical approach to introductory interior design.Covering the profession for both commercial and residential environments, the Ninth Edition introduces readers to the history, design fundamentals, and building systems (construction, electrical, mechanical) of design. Exploring topics such as the space planning process, environmental sensitivity, and multicultural design, this book contains both the necessary information and applications readers need to be fully prepared for the field.For professionals with a career or interest in design, interior decorating, architecture, construction, carpentry, and environmental design. ... Read more

Book Description

A complete revision of what is considered the classic introduction to color for all graphic designers and artists. This book provides a solid foundation for the development of personal color sense, and a practical examination of the myriad effects that can be achieved with color. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

principals of color design
good condition and very fast service

Good for newbies
I haven't got any formal art background and have found this book to be extremely useful. However, it may or may not get much higher - I can't tell since I'm a newbie, but I keep in mind my experience with some other books on other subjects: while I was a beginner I found them great; now I think they're just fine for beginners.

OUTdated
This is not the best book out there. The first section of the 5 section book goes into form and shape theory, which although useful in design, is just filler to give the book more pages. The color theory sections are fairly basic. I think there are better books out there, especially for the price.

the truth about this book
It explains very well the color principle and some design techniques. It is a good book for beginning graphic artists with no formal art background (those who never studied art/GD in school). There are 5 parts to this book. Part one establishes desing principles, part 2 examines common color principles related to the use of color pigments, part 3 helps the beginner develop systematic color thinking with the aid of excercises, part 4 introduces priciples and techniques for generating colors on the computer and part 5 presents color sets and guides for attaining color harmony.

Note, however, that this book is a bit outdated. It showed when trying to explain certain design techniques using old version Photoshop tool bar.

Fabulous!
I actually perchased this book two years ago in college for an art class and have used it in almost every assignment and project I have completed there after. ... Read more

Book Description

Graphic Design Solutions, 2E, now in full color, demystifies the design process by outlining step-by-step procedures readers can apply with confidence to solve their own design or advertising problems. Projects and exercises featured throughout the book are interactive, allowing readers to experience a design element, principle or application. Exercises included are a work out - an informal nudge that fosters a willingness to experiment.Projects develop hand as well as critical and visual thinking skills.New projects include web design, web logos, annual reports, branding and new portfolio projects. This edition also features new samples of works by master and contemporary designers and offers guidance on how to objectively assess and critique designs. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Great Book for all types of designers...
This book covers every single topic with designing...I totally love it I read it over and over because of all the good advice the author gave out to us...I totally recommend this book for students and professionals...Good Luck and Enjoy!!

extremely helpful
Ms. Landa has done a terrific job once again. This book helps you to find different solutions to design problems you probably would'nt think of initially. In addition I'm proud to say I am a student of hers, and her classes are just as engaging.

the best out there!
this is the very best graphic design and advertising text on the market. The advertising chapter and branding chapter are worth the price alone! The examples and ideas are brilliant.

Brilliant!!!
This book is the essence of graphic design. It is a must for any design student. The book itself makes one of the strongest visual statements that I've seen in any Design text. It's great for both the experienced designer and those who aren't accustomed to the nuance that so many overlook. The best parts of the book are the exercises. With problems that are enjoyable and challenging, Ms. Landa has created something that Professors around the globe should take notice to. This is the bible for graphic design students and is a great improvement over the first edition (which was great in and of itself).

Also recommended: The Education of a Graphic Designer(Heller), Design Discourse, The History of Graphic Design(Meggs)

A great guide to Graphic Design.
A well-illustrated step-by-step guide to the process of designing graphic images. The author covers the basic components of design, the effective use of type, how to produce a layout, and how to design specific categories of work (i.e. logos, posters, packaging, etc.). Twelve pages of color are included. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

How to find more reviews
This is a great book. I found it much easier to read than the other LaTeX books I looked at, most of which, in my opinion, are very poorly written. I came to rely on it very heavily as I wrote my thesis, and am very glad that I bought it. For more reviews on the book, do a search for "kopka daly latex" in the standard amazon search box. There are 23 reviews for the third edition, which should be relevant to this edition. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Well worth the money-Entertaining, colorful & well-written!!
I love American Idol and I loved reading this book. The photos are great and so are the interviews. I read stuff in this book that I didn't hear anywhere else. Anyone who is an American Idol fan will really enjoy the inside look that this book provides. Kudos to the author and the photographer! The book gives great insight into the whole audition process and what it's really like to be a contestant trying out for the show. The free poster was a great bonus too!

I love American Idol!!!
This book is awesome. It has tons of great interviews and photos. I love this show and I love this book. If you want to learn all about American Idol and see behind-the-scenes stuff, read the book!!! ... Read more

Book Description

Get to know Photoshop, and go beyond the basics with this friendly step-by-step guide. Teaches you how to run this sophisticated image editing application like a pro. Learn to use all the tools, work with color palettes, create textures, import images, apply filters, use layers, and so much more. This beautiful four-color book also features an art gallery displaying professional work to help illuminate the lessons and inspire you. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Another Master Piece by Colin Smith
Colin has a well established presence in the gurus of Photoshop league. The book is nothing short of what you would expect. It is well layed out, with easy to follow instructions and helpful screen shots in color, to guide reader. I recommend it for beginner to advanced level users of Photoshop CS.

Exceptional Quality from Expert Teacher
Colin does it yet again... Although this book at first glance appears targeted at beginners to the software, Colin steps things up a few notches by delivering sound information and quality techniques that intermediate and even advanced users of Photoshop will find useful and informative. Colin is not only an exceptional teacher of all things 'graphic', but check out his forum and website at www.photoshopcafe.com and you will find he is a heck of a nice guy to boot. 4000+ members to his forum alone can't be wrong!

A must have!
This books serves as an excellent teaching tool and all around great resource for Photoshop users of any level. It's well structured, with easy to understand content. What I like the most is that the book is filled with full color images and screen shots for easy reference. It's very hands on. Excellent value for the price.

A great way to learn
The below review was written by someone who clearly does not value good advice.

I learned abotu so many features in photoshop, that I would have probably never ever explored! Really gives you insight to things you never thought neccesary.

You don't need images to have this book teach you, the instruction is perfect as is.

Amazing Book, Targets all user levels
I got the book a little while ago, and couldn't wait to go through it. I was afraid it would be a step by step droning writer, but I don't think I could have any further from the reality. I think everyone will benefit from the in depth examples, and the greatest part about the book is so much valuable content contained in those pages. If you haven't ordered this book, I highly urge you to as soon as you possibly can.

Before I end this review I would like to add that the Camera Raw plugin is only valuable to people that own those cameras, and I am sure that is why the author didn't include it.

-mkeefe ... Read more

Book Description

Graphic Artists Guild Handbook: Pricing & Ethical Guidelines, 11th Edition is the industry bible, containing information all graphic artists and their clientsneed to buy and sell work in a totally professional manner. This edition hasbeen revised and updated to provide all the information you need to compete inan industry moving at lightning speed. ... Read more

Reviews (26)

Useful, but time for a new edition
I find the book very useful for many purposes, and it was right on the mark when it came out four years ago. However, considering how quickly technology and the internet change, I think it's time for a new edition; a lot of the "digital design" information is woefully out of date. For instance, under "Questions to ask when designing a web site," the book asks, "Does the client understand the difference between the Web and an online e-mail service such as American (cq) Online?"

In addition, pricing is based on "screens" or "pages" for web sites. The overall rates in the book seem to be realistic, but it would be helpful to know exactly how projects are priced. In the rapidly evolving world of database-driven and fully animated sites, "pages" don't mean much anymore. This is a fine reference, but don't expect it to keep you on the cutting-edge of technology. Go into a client's office and talk about "American Online" and I can almost guarantee you won't get the job!

A Must Have Resource Guide
The GAG Handbook rates high on my list of must have resources for the novice graphic designer. The information is valuable in setting standards for pricing and ethics in the Graphic Design industry. As an educator I recommend this book to all my graphic design students for the print graphics and web graphics information. The benefit to the novice is the contracts that have been well written specifically for a large number of specializations within the industry.

the best of what's available
Pros: Covers a lot of ground; defined creative terms and boundaries for the profession, fees, moral issues, client relationships, salaries, photographer relationships, illustrator relationships, etc. Rare is the book that has the guts to put actual numbers on project fees, rarer still to see it in this field. The only guide of its kind available.

Cons: Shape/bindery of the piece. It's a pain to even open it wide. (This was designed by the guild?) Some of the fee quotes/ideas are too vague, to the point of offering little guidance. The flow of the chapters is odd. Example: It starts with illustrator relationships(?!), when you'd think the first chapter would be an overall state of industry, issues facing communication arts employees and employers, trends, etc. The section on digital/non traditional media is still a little shaky, but better than it was.

Last thoughts: To the review that said they need a new version, they've done two in the last 3 or 4 years. The most recent being 2003. To everyone else: it's a guide, not a law book. The prices are at once too high and too low. Fees/salaries will vary no matter how accurate it is.

Updated again and more useful than ever!
The 11th edition is out,(although Amazon may not be displaying the most recent cover) and they did it again. The Graphic Artists Guild has produced the definitive industry resource for designers, illustrators and anyone even remotely interested in making a living in the graphics field. The book provides a terrific introduction to professional practices for anyone expanding their existing business to include web projects. This is a publication that keeps improving with age. Trying to encapsulate all situations is impossible, but the care taken in putting this survey together shows. Ta da! Even the web design section catches up to the situation on the ground.

At first glance it seems slimmer than previous editions, but a deeper look reveals that more information makes it onto each page, with a more efficient typographic treatment, and some judicious editing deleting duplicate information in some chapters

Please note: The prices reported in the book are the results of a survey of real working professionals. A spot check reveals that some reported price ranges have increased over the intervening years since the 10th edition. Some are the same, or similar. In the end, the producer (that's you!) has to insist on higher prices, you can't expect a book to negotiate for you, can you?

Some of the charts are improved. For instance, the Chart and Map Design section is more useful, including ranges for 4 different possible uses for a piece: advertising, in-house, editorial and textbook. this replaces the not-always-useful "client annual revenues" breakdowns in the 10th edition.

In the age of easy image stealing a new cease and desist form letter is included on p. 250 for you to use. May you never need it!

Hats off to the Guild for putting facts and figures at every working graphic artists disposal. It's a lumbering, exploding field where standards are in short supply on the fringes, but solid guidance is only a bookshelf away. I'll say it again... If you're unsure about what to charge, or how to structure an agreement (you're using an agreement aren't you?), it'll pay for itself with your next job.

The Unreal Pricing Guidlines
I found that the prices given in this book were way off for my demographic and line of work. With the knowledge of bidding my own freelance jobs and hiring designers for the firm that I work for that the pay scales in this book are way out of wack. I'm not saying that they are all over priced like other readers might assume. I found that many estimates to be quite low.

You run the risk of losing a job because your bidding estimate is to high in some instances and in other given estimates you are going to lose a lot of money. The given freelance hourly rate for an Art Director is $55.00. That is way under what the market pays in the area and industry that I work in.

You will also find pricing like this: National advertising campaign (Print Media) between $11,000-$25,000. There are no specific variables given to this enormous disparity in pricing.

There is a heap of useful information in this book, but pricing isn't one of them. In fact it's bloody useless. ... 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