5 comments about Designing Interactions.

1. I only read one chapter whose field I am familiar with and then judged about the book, so I might be unfair. However, this book is written not entirely right on the mark. It is a bit sketchy.
   
   When a book is a collection of writings from different authors with topics not carefully organized and crafted, it is usually disappointing. This book is one of them. Though it might just be my prejudice. (I doubt it, but don't tell anyone :-) )



2. The book provides some good insights into the world of interaction design.
   However, it's a bit boring and too much of a history lesson.
   
   While the information provided within is a nice examination of various things previously done, the book provides little about how to go about processing or coming up with the information or general practices for doing so in your own project(s). However, if you have a generally analytical mind, you can definitely pull some of that information out of it. The few gems of knowledge as applied to products already designed are very valuable and the proper descriptions were chosen for each.
   
   The "interviews" contained within the book are a bit too disparate for my tastes, though. There is a lack of general cohesion that causes the book to "feel" off-topic, even though it is all related. Focus seems to be lost on the underlying reason for the book (even based on the forward, description, etc.).
   
   There's a lot there, but you're going to have to pick it out for yourself. The book definitely lacks the ability to state what the intentions of varies arguments and examinations are but what is there is valuable.



3. This book makes you think a lot about how interactions have been designed. It has a lot of great examples and I even picked up a few tricks on storyboarding my interactions and designs. Well done.



4. En este libro se revisan una serie de autores que son relevantes en el campo del diseño de interacción. Podemos encontrar desde Brenda Laurel hablando del desarrollo de juegos para niñas, hasta los creadores de Google. No es un libro que profundice en los temas, es más bién un útil panóptico del desarrollo del diseño de interacción.
   
   Marcos Chilet
   Diseño, Pontificia Universidad catolica de chile.



5. This book is a terribly self-indulgent view of interaction design. There is no real analysis in this book or critical thinking. It's mostly a collection of simple stories from companies or efforts that Moggridge likes. There is no real theory offered here, only anecdotes. It's also a very Silicon Valley-centric view of the world. If you are looking for a partial history of interesting "interaction" design efforts, this book may be for you. Though, perhaps, not at the price it sells for.

5 comments about Building Codes Illustrated: A Guide to Understanding the 2006 International Building Code (Building Codes Illustrated).

1. Interpretation of codes sometime is confusing. With the picture to explain, it is much easier to understand than just read the words. A picture is better than a thousand words!



2. This is an excellent book. It makes it very easy to understand many of the issues addressed by the IBC. In a few minutes of flipping through the pages right after I received it I was able to clearly understand issues that I previously had to read over and over again in the code to try to understand. Any time I have a code issue now I first read the code and then look at the same item in this book to see if my interpretation is correct.



3. Ching always does a good job of clearly illustrating aspects of design and construction, but in this case the book lacks depth. Only the most basic codes are included and it is of little or no help for the building professional.



4. This book does an outstanding job of explaining how to use the building code, what the code means, and the basis for some codes. If you are an engineer, architect, or someone who just wants to better understand the building code, this book is for you.



5. I am not sure why everyone was so high on this. The organization is a bit scattered and it doesn't really cover a great deal of code. If you are using this as a general learning book, it is ok. But if you are looking up specifics about something you are working on, I bet that most of the time it will let you down.

5 comments about Architecture: Form, Space, & Order.

1. This is an invaluable reference for architecture students and professionals alike. Ching's illustrations are amazing and the depth of information presented is incredible. I highly recommend this book.



2. it was realy interesting and the cd which i got was quit good i realy exited 100



3. Its very informative, but feels very tedious to read. Very very good illustrations which aid in learning to draft and understand spacial concepts.



4. I read this book in Chinese when I started to learn architecture many yaers ago, and I bought the English version later when I came to the US. I love it, it is one of the best architectural books that you can have.



5. The book came in good shape. It just took a long time for it to arrive (2 weeks).

3 comments about Decorating Master Class.

1. This book is especially helpful for those who do not wish to employ an interior decorator. It is filled with facts and information that is part of the basic knowledge of every designer. Guaranteed to be of great assistance.



2. Decorating Master Class should be required reading in all interior design firms. As a matter of fact, It is is soon to be a benchmark in the annals of decorating history. The authors have not only captured the essence of good taste and style, but they present their craft in a manner that is easy to comprehend and understand. I love this book!!!!



3. The concept of a "Master Class" is a course taught by a top, often world-renowned, professional in a field, to graduate-level students of the highest caliber. When you really understand what a master class is, you get a better sense of the proper audience for this wonderful book showcasing the work of Cullman & Kravis. BUT be prepared -- while the authors may have intended this as a book for the layman, it's for a more precise niche, either the very knowledgeable amateur, or the young professional hoping to work in ultra-high-end interior design.
   
   I would recommend it highly to someone just starting out in the design world, or someone who wants a better understanding of the options available to those with the checkbook to get anything they want. If, for example, you're planning a major interior design project and intend to work with a designer, this is a great primer on the process and details. It'll likely make you a far more informed client for the designer you'll ultimately choose.
   
   It is emphatically not, however, for the DIY reader. The authors assume that you'll be working with professionals, and present options accordingly. The guidelines in such areas as upholstery & trim, lighting, and flooring are invaluable, but such detail is for those who really want it. Your reaction may be, "Okay, that's more than I wanted to know." They also assume such luxuries as custom cabinetry, custom-colored rugs and upholstery, custom embroidery -- basically, an entirely custom environment. This is, after all, what Cullman & Kravis does so beautifully, but it may not be of help to a reader looking for guidance in the real world.
   
   Such books by top designers are the "in" thing lately -- note Jeffrey Bilhuber's Design Basics: Expert Solutions for Designing the House of Your Dreams, Mariette Himes Gomez's Rooms: Creating Luxurious, Livable Spaces, Rose Tarlow's The Private House, Bunny Williams' Point of View: Three Decades of Decorating Elegant and Comfortable Houses, Michael S. Smith: Elements of Style, etc. They cover the length and breadth of interior design today, and they vary widely in their approach. "Decorating Master Class" is for those who want only the finest, and the authors assume their readers have the wherewithal to achieve it.

1 comments about Transmaterial 2: A Catalog of Materials That Redefine Our Physical Environment.

1. Cannot recommend this book highly enough - it does a great job of finding cool, interesting, ground breaking materials and then providing information on how to source them. A must-have reference for any designer, interior designer or architect who prides themselves on staying abreast of cutting-edge materials. (And since materials are the palette of the designer this book will go a long way to keeping you on the leading edge of design as well.) Not to be missed.

4 comments about Apartment Therapy Presents: Real Homes, Real People, Hundreds of Design Solutions.

1. This book is as good as I expected it would be; tons of ideas and ingenious solutions to space problems. Very talented people who achieve an individual look usually without mounds of money.



2. A couple of weeks ago, I ordered a box full of decorating books. And out of that box, this was by far my favorite! Besides the variety of styles, it was SO NICE to see REAL HOMES for a change. I am SO TIRED of seeing overly dressed homes that I personally would be afraid to sit down in, or that would take an army of hired help to keep clean. I read this book first, skimmed through the other five (Almost all written by well-known TV personality-type decorators)and went right back to this one. The others...are still sitting in the box.
   
   That said, if you are looking for a step-by-step "how-to" guide, this is likely not your book. But I found the pictures and the survey answers by the actual owners very inspiring. It gives you a lot of insight to the thought process behind the design. And the photos are FRESH...not rehashed, like a lot of the books that come out. (Yawn!) So from that perspective alone, it's worth the money.
   
   My favorites-
   
   "turquoise's directional shift" (Turquoise is her name, btw.) I LOVED her design, and her inspiration..."boutique hotels." They inspire me, too!! :) And she 'customized' an Ikea piece...something I have done as well! ;) Her apartment...is absolutely beautiful. Perhaps a few boutique hotels could actually get a little more inspired by Turquoise!
   
   "curtis's paint by numbers" Talk about a great idea!! This guy did a life-sized Paris street scene using a paint-by-numbers kit!! (Directions as to how he did it, included.) I have a huge upstairs landing that has been sitting in limbo, as I had contemplated some type of wall-art...and THIS IS EXACTLY what I am going to do!! Thanks, Curtis, for the SMASHING idea!! How cool of you to think of it!!
   
   "jane and darko's cozy thicket' I loved this, because it reminded me of a very modern cabin. (Hey, I'm from Minnesota!) After looking at the pictures, I was sure this apartment was somewhere in the Midwest...only to find out, it's right in Manhattan. Now that's what I call marching to your own drummer!!
   
   ALL of the apartments were fun to look at, fun to read about, and very, very personal. Something you don't see in most decorating books out there. Not sure how those TV people can keep hawking the same darned rooms over and over, again. IMHO - This book certainly puts them to shame.
   
   Great job, Maxwell!!



3. This book gives a lot of inspiration to people whose tastes run from modern to eclectic, who don't live in huge homes or have unlimitied financial resources. Shows what you can do with resale shops, eBay, and using what you have to make your home reflect your style and be a really comfortable place to live.



4. Apartment Therapy Presents: Real Homes, Real People, Hundreds of Design Solutions by Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan is eye candy for those of us interested in home decorating.
   
   In the introduction, Gillingham-Ryan writes: "More than just a physical shelter, the home is both a second skin that protects us from the world outside and an emotional center that nourishes us and supports our innermost dreams. He also writes: "A healthy home will nurture and support you."
   
   I absolutely agree with both statements.
   
   The author believes that: "It's your home--design it for you!"
   
   With that in mind, each apartment has it's own distinct personality and we get to read about the occupants of each apartment.
   
   While I really enjoyed the book, it does lack one thing, which is why I gave the book 4, not 5, stars. It lacks general tips on how to decorate. I recommend Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify and Energize Your Life, Your Home and Your Planet as a companion to this book, because it provides hundreds of tips on how to decorate, clear clutter, make your home green, and more.
   
   That said, Apartment Therapy is very inspirational and real. The apartments feel doable and lived in--not like unattainable glossies in the home decorating magazines.
   
   A floor plan and basic information, like square footage, is provided for each apartment which is smart, as photos alone can't convey the layout of a home.
   
   Next, there is a description which includes information on the occupants, their style and more. I enjoyed reading about the people and it made the decorating choices make sense.
   
   Great photographs.
   
   A survey was included for each section and included the following: style, inspiration, favorite element, biggest challenge, biggest embarrassment, biggest challenge, proudest DIY, biggest indulgence, best advice, fream sources. FUN to read.
   
   Each apartment also included resources which is always great if you see something you want.
   
   Real people real stuff.
   
   Next,

5 comments about Get Your House Right: Architectural Elements to Use & Avoid.

1. I would have to say this is by far THE best book I have found for designing authentic traditional style homes. Say goodbye to cookie cutter - every designer should have a copy of this book beside them when they design, or else memorize it!
   I am not a HUGE reader, but I was so enthralled with this book, that I read about 125 pages in my first and second sitting. Ok, it has a lot of pictures, but still that is pretty good for me. I usually lose interest quickly. :)
   Don't hesitate to buy this book. It is a deal at any price. It WILL help you "Get Your House Right", save money and increase the value of your home tremendously in the process.
   This should be standard issue at all technical schools, colleges and anywhere that teaches how to design good quality authentic buildings that are pleasing to the general public.



2. This book is a refreshing antidote to the sea of mediocrity being built all around us. It fuses classical design principles, so long lost by architects and the building industry, with practical applications to everyday home design and construction. It's easy to understand by layman and architects alike and is a fundamental primer to building your new home.
   
   I've purchased additional copies and sent them to friends about to build their new homes to share with their architects. It has become one of my book shelf treasures.



3. This may be the best handbook on traditional design published since the 1920s, informative for both layman and professional alike.
   
   If you wonder what makes today's so-called "traditional" houses look so ugly, Marianne Cusato provides answers in a guidebook that walks you through "how things go wrong" (avoid) and "how to do it right" (use). In meticulously-drawn illustrations, she charts the course of design from first concepts to fine details, providing pearls of wisdom on things that can make or break the authenticity of a new old house. Notations accompany each drawing, describing essential building elements and how they go together.
   
   Never before have I seen a more comprehensive or practical guide through the minefield of traditional design. Clear, insightful directions make "Get Your House Right" the perfect learning tool for builders at all levels, whether novices or those needing a refresher course. This book should become the primary text to teach architects the fundamental building blocks of the classical tradition.



4. I live in Naperville, IL, the McMansion capital of the Midwest. I have watched new multi-million dollar houses go up, and I thought most of them were just plain ugly. Over-done, or pompous, or something. Yet they sell, even now, and they keep going up.
   
   I started to think maybe it was just me.
   
   Then I picked up this book, and there, just above the AVOID label that adorns many of the design examples in the book, was a pencil sketch of what could be a typical new-construction Naperville street.
   
   Having read the book through -- and several parts twice -- I now understand what it was that was causing the rejection of this architecture by my inner voice: bad design. I have nailed down the specific elements in many actual houses that hurt the appearance of the house, that make it less -- much less -- than it could be.
   
   And -- surprise! -- I found that the few houses I did like of the newer construction were properly designed to classical principles.
   
   The book is an incredible achievement. Well-written, accessible, and with hundreds and hundreds of beautiful pencil sketches that clearly demonstrate the principles. Marianne Cusato is a young, brilliant and well-educated designer whose vision has been shaking the architecture world for several years. And she's all of 33 years old!
   
   So get this book, read it through, and then have some fun. Start scanning front elevation drawings on house plan sites and see if you can spot the issues that keep each from being as welcoming, as home-y, as they could be.
   
   We are embarking now on designing our own new home, and this book is by far the most important acquisition in our burgeoning design library.
   
   Thanks, Marianne. We all owe you.



5. I have struggled for years with design issues in the buildings I renovate and (sometimes) modify. It is the "just doesn't look right" syndrome where you spend money and time on what you think is a good idea, but when it's done you can tell it looks goofy, or backwards, or convoluted or something.
   
   Well this book is exactly addressed to people like me - indoctrinating the reader to the (seemingly) rigid rules of traditional architecture that have evolved over the centuries since we emerged from caves. It's like getting an abbreviated overview of the lessons learned by earlier generations of builders, condensed into a readable book. Probably the most notable lesson I gleaned from it is the importance of details on the overall look and feel of a building.
   
   I know I'm not going to necessarily follow every rule on every decision I make - economics play an important role too - but at least now I have a little better understanding of where I can cut corners, and where spending a little more on the right details will be crucial. It's like having the wisdom of the ages at your back when making design decisions.
   
   One thing that attracts me to traditional architecture is that it comes from times where buildings were much more monumental accomplishments than they are today. With our concrete and steel, equipment and technological advances, buildings go up in a matter of days rather than years, and will be replaced just as quickly if we decide we don't like them. Sometimes the way they look reflects this lack of thought necessary for their contstruction.
   
   If you follow the guidance provided by this book, you building will at least look like an accomplishment worth celebrating.

5 comments about Graphic Guide to Frame Construction: Details for Builders and Designers (For Pros by Pros).

1. A great reference for the DIY homeowner. Lots of drawings to show you the right way to do things from foundations to framing.



2. This book has a lot of good framing scenarios interesting tidbits. Both a good reference and interesting to page through.



3. I do a lot of non-professional new construction. For me, visualizing the right way do do something is the problem. Once the skin is on a building I have no idea what lies underneath -- I have no 'guide' to model my construction after. Also, building according to convention is useful -- for instance, it's good to know that you can expect to find a vertical stud in a wall every 16 or 24 inches, regardless of who built the building and when -- and this book clarifies what those conventions are.
   
   This is a great book. The graphic representations are exceptionally clear and detailed. Many alternatives are given, and in building you simply choose the alternative that gives you the most of what you want and follow the diagram.



4. Have been using this reference for years as an Architect. Probably the best one out there that covers all the basics. Not overly complicated. Could use an advanced version for more complicated details, especially in roofing (half-hips, etc.) and foundations.
   Great reference for the nomencalture of all the parts.
   Do not expect to build from it as codes and structural sizing are required and vary too much, but good, basic detailing and understanding overall with plenty of illustrations.



5. This is a good reference for framing details, which I turn to frequently as we work on the design for our new home. That said, there are numerous gaps and while some might be excused as esoteric, like framing a swept roof at the eaves (though it is pictured on the cover of the book), many others are not, such as flashing at masonry entry steps. I would like to see the book updated to include more "Building Science" lessons, OVE (Optimum Value Engineering)and perhaps SIPS. Still a good book, overall.

5 comments about Architectural Graphics.

1. I know that Ching is revered in the field and is recommended by virtually all, but I'm just not feeling the love, especially for this particular book. The graphics in the book have a "sketchy" look I don't just don't find appealing or inspiring. A more serious problem is the way the information is weighted: there are pages of illustration/discussion about simple things like line weights and triangles, which would lead one to assume this is a beginner's book. That would be fine, but as the book progresses, the depth of information dissapates, so that a beginner who tries to follow instructions, for instance, on preparing a perspective or isometric drawing would be completely unable to do so. In this way, the book reminds me of certain assemble-it-at-home instructions: Step one is to get out your tools, step two is to take out the pieces, and step three is to put the thing together. If you're already a professional, you don't really need to see an illustration of a lead holder. If you are an absolute beginner, you need more thorough instructions. Really, I can't imagine the audience for whom this book is intended.



2. This book is great for a professional or just in school. Ching points out techniques to further develop and create great schematic and conceptual drawings.



3. this book offers easy understanding of the basic concepts of drafting. good book for interior designer and architects.



4. Get your act together Amazon or Wiley (I suspect Wiley) !!! (especially, note my final paragraph below)
   
   1. This is NOT a hardback.
   
   2. The "et al" is because this is NOT a single volume as suggested by the single ISBN 0471738263, but a COLLECTION of 3 PAPERBACKS - Architectural Graphics 4th ed ISBN 0471209066 (note different ISBN from that for the 3-volume set cited under only Ching's book title; 215 pages) by Francis D K Ching, Construction Drawings and Details for Interiors ISBN 0471109533 (246 pages)by W Otie Kilmer and Rosemary Kilmer, Interior Graphic Standards - Student Edition ISBN0471461962 (452 pages) by Maryrose McGowan AIA and Kelsey Kruse AIA for American Institute of Architects; overall total of 913 pages (NOT 944).
   
   I have owned Ching's book since the first edition and it continues to be one of the best of the best. The Graphics Standards series is, of course, of biblical stature among all interested architectural and associated professionals. The Construction Drawings ... book I am unfamiliar with, though at a glance, it seems worthy.
   
   Frustating thing is that I was especially interested in the prospect of a MAJOR significant enhancement of Ching's book - my take on Amazon's/Wiley's deceptive (or incompetent, to be more generous and kind) advertising. I already owned Ching's 4th edition and had no particular interest in the other 2 volumes, useful as they appear to be!
   
   If only one of these volumes is of interest, any one of these 3 books would cost substantially less as an individual purchase. The price of the package of all 3 is probably a bargain, though I have not verified this.
   
   You can do better Amazon and Wiley, so DO IT! This is sloppy work, which I have seen exemplified in other locations recently on your website; though, this is probably the worst I have seen (yet).
   
   I resent the fact that this review is also being used at the Architectural Graphics (single volume only) webpage - where, removed from it's original and proper context, my comment appears to make no sense at all - as well as at the webpage where Ching's book title is deceptively (or sloppily) used to entice buyers to purchase a 3-book package (not explained at the webpage), when the buyer may only be interested in Ching's excellent book, thinking the much higher price is for a major revision of such (which it is not).
   
   Fredric Lee McLaughlin, Architect



5. this book has taught me so many drawing techniques... this is useful. hightly recommended!

5 comments about Atomic Ranch: Design Ideas for Stylish Ranch Homes.

1. Good book with lots of interior and exterior pictures of houses. Only improvement would be more mod accessories shown, but overall I would recommend.



2. God Bless the folks at Atomic Ranch! I have been a subscriber to the Magazine for over 2 years now and have been dying to get the book. Finally, after a couple of strong hints, my wife got it for me for my birthday.
   This book is chock full of beautiful photographs of incredible mid-century masterpieces. Some are preserved, some restored, and some modernized.
   If this is your thing, (and I doubt you'd be reading these reviews if it wasn't)then this is the book you want. I've gambled on a few other books covering ranch homes, and none of them come close to this book. BUY IT!



3. Very nice book with lots of great photos they are mostly a collection from the magazine but worth having if you are into MCM.



4. I love this book! The author's magazine (of the same name) is awesome and this book covers homes from the early issues which are no longer available (issues, not homes). I love seeing the beautiful interiors and exteriors of modest size homes which most people consider beneath their notice because they aren't historically "old enough" or architecturally significant.
   
   I have learned a lot about mid-century modern homes from reading this book. The photos are great and the book is very informative.
   
   If you live in a plain ranch home, and enjoy a streamlined style of living, then I highly suggest you get this book. It is full of practical tips and resources.



5. I love this book!! I live in an "Atomic Ranch" and this book covers the subject very well. Not only are the pictures great, the text is informative. I also subscribe to Atomic Ranch Magazine published by the same authors. If you are a fan of this genre, both are highly recommended!