5 comments about Design Management: Using Design to Build Brand Value and Corporate Innovation.

1. This book repeats itself in almost every chapter. It's three sections are chopped up by quotes that make sinking into each topic almost impossible. A book labeled Design Management, I would think, would be designed better for an enjoyable experience. Good for reference, not for reading.



2. While the title is promising the book turns out to be more of a collection of literature on the subject. Great quotes about the importance of design can be found throughout the text. Unfortunately, the book never goes into how to use design to build brand value or corporate innovation, although it proves that it should be done. Anyone looking to strengthen their case through quotes, or anyone who is just interested in what people throughout history have done should get this book.
   Overall, it is a great effort that doesn't quite fullfill the promise. Worthy nonetheless.



3. Good overview of the history of Design Management and the value it brings to companies



4. This is a very thorough treatment of a new and growing topic, design management. Brigitte has effectively jumped the gun here, coming up with one of the first significant books in this area. There are often splits between the design and marketing functions in a company, yet she shows, in careful, methodical detail, how they best work together to come up with successful new designs.



5. This author takes a practical approach to define the key competancies of the field of design maangement. Her scholarship is strong, and her examples and stories are meaningful. If anything, she sees this field both too broadly and too narrowly. Broadly--one might think that design management is the new business religion, seeking to fix it all. Narrowly--She spends less time on the process of design in favor of the activities possible. it is very good in the sense that it is not about industrial deisgn, but truly management.

3 comments about The Usborne Book of Art Projects (Miniature Editions).

1. When you first look, this looks like a book for kids....well it sure can be....but I (not being a kid) LOVE this line of art books (I even bought a set for my dad). There are so many ideas in this book for some many different mediums. Both kids and adults will love this book for a long time.



2. This book has lots of good ideas for the crafty kids. It is small and easy to handle. My kids found many things they want to make with items already at home.



3. I teach art to kindergarteners through 8th graders and will be able to use a majority of these projects (or parts of them) with all ages. Easy to read, beautiful color pictures, great step by step instructions. Well worth the money.

1 comments about Goble's Fairy Tale Illustrations: 86 Full-Color Plates.

1. Good collection. Representative of some of the great artists that have braved this subject. Children of all ages are very discerning critics.

5 comments about Medieval Calligraphy: Its History and Technique.

1. Medieval Calligraphy; Its history and technique, is a comprehensive book on the whys and wherefores of Medieval Calligraphy.
   It covers the development of different scripts and letterings. It gives a bit of background on each script, how it was used and when it was used. It then gives details of each letter and some variations as well as how to form the letter.
   As well as the focus on calligraphy itself this book puts scripts into context. It gives individuals the tools to use the scripts to complete a project with a medieval tone and flavour. It talks about page layouts, how to alter scripts for capitals, additions of ligatures and numbers. The book also covers materials that can be used to produce a completed piece that looks very close to medieval without going to all the bother of making the inks and other items yourself- although this too is covered.
   This book is fantastic for anyone with a serious interest in calligraphy in the middle ages.



2. The book provided an excellent history of the evolution of letter formations used in medieval manuscripts. Especially interesting was the impact that the Emperor Charlemagne and a Benedictine monk had on standardization of text forms throughout much of Europe.



3. Pros: Nearly half the book covers the history of calligraphy as well a selection of various scripts. The other half covers basic technique and specific instructions for 13 different scripts plus numerals.
   
   Con: No colour images of period examples.
   
   Great for SCA/reenactor



4. This is an excellent book with the exception of the glaring lack of colour in the photos.
   Great explanations, good connnections between the different eras and styles, but again, if one is depending on a book for colour suggestion, this is not the tome.



5. Medieval Calligraphy by Marc Drogin is comprehensive and historically informative, certainly worth having in your collection.

1 comments about Introductory Lectures on Aesthetics (Penguin Classics).

1. This book presents the text with a great introduction and a superb appendix, thus making the book half text and half commentary ... perfect for the student. this text might be a nice way to slide into Hegel. Plus, Penguin Books smell so nice.

No comments about Persian Rugs and Carpets: The Fabric of Life.

No comments about Henri Rousseau's Jungle Book (Adventures in Art).

2 comments about Jack Vettriano: Studio Life.

1. I'll confess it now, I'm not much of one for most modern art. I tend to find it too loud, or too busy, or just plain awful. But, as they say, there are exceptions to every rule, and Scottish born, self-taught, artist Jack Vettriano is one of them. You might not recognize his name right off, but if you saw his work, you would know right away who he is. The best known of his works are the two paintings, Elegy for the Dead Admiral and The Singing Butler. It seems that nearly every poster shop in the world has these two available.
   
   But I prefer his moodier, darker works. In those, men and women are shown in intimate moments. Some have dangerous overtones, others are very sexual in nature. Sometimes there is nudity, but not very often. But what does come across in every one of them is a sizzle of passion and intensity.
   
   With his book, Studio Life, Vettriano lets us into the world where he creates his images. Even more interesting, he shows us just how he gets there -- from the places where he gets his inspiration from -- Scotland, London and Nice, France -- his models, where he works, and finally, himself.
   
   The book is filled with photographs and reproductions of Vettriano's works, from the inital sketches and rough ideas, to how he sets up his models for a shoot -- and sometimes uses himself as a model, all the way through to the final painting.
   
   Other intriguing aspect is how culture has both influenced, and has been influenced by, Jack Vettriano's work. I was rather pleased to see that some of my own favourites were there too -- musicians such as Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan, to name a few. There's edgy glamour in his paintings, the women in them leggy and made up with scarlet lipstick, the men in suits and ties and impeccably turned out. In our age of open sleaze, and Hollywood excess, what I like about them is that it harkens back to a time when there was a bit of danger to being in love, that being with someone sometimes was a risky thing indeed, and everything could be bundled up into a single glance or the turn of a head. And sometimes, in Vettriano's work, the cigarette in a hand, or a glance.
   
   An interesting touch is the introduction to the book, penned by none other than a fellow native son of Fife, Scotland, long time mystery author Ian Rankin. He discusses some about the nature of both the writer's and artist's life -- namely, they work alone, they have to, or otherwise nothing would ever get done.
   
   I rather enjoy Vettriano. He's got a rough and tumble honesty to him that strips away most of the elitism or obfuscation that most modern artists cultivate. And there is a real skill underneath there, his figures are very alive and there. While his people are nearly too perfect, in a stylized film noir way, the viewer's eyes keep going back. There's a story in that painting, a snapshot of time, and you've just been allowed a peek inside. But just a peek, mind, it's up to you how the rest of it will play out.
   
   If you can handle the sometimes disturbing, sexual, tone of his work, Vettriano is an artist that is worth a second look. While I know that there is a snowball in hell's chances of ever owning one of his works, his books do let me have a bit of his work for my very own. And that is enough.
   
   Five stars. But not for everyone. Proceed with caution.



2. I appreciate Vettriano. He's a fairly decent craftsman and his ideas are nice. He is an artist who has found a nich and is able to make a living off of it. There isnt an artist I know who wouldnt honestly trade places with him. (That tells you something about the artists I know.) The feel of the book is quite contrived. I love seeing artists' studios. ONes work space call tell you ALOT about a person. His studio is functional and boring. The best photo is of him in his artist get up. Old ripped clothing that has a huge red smear of paint across the front. How the hell did that happen (!!), apart from on purpose. Silly. The text is interesting. He explains his process, which does have merit.

5 comments about Henry VIII and His Wives Paper Dolls.

1. The images in this are wonderful! There is even a paper doll of Henry VIII before he was the over weight King we have come to know him as. A brief history of each wife is given and the costumes and undergarments are updated according to each reign. I loved this book! I would highly recommend this for anyone interested in costumes as well as history.



2. If you enjoy paper dolls and are interested in English history, you'll love this book. Tom Tierney has captured the period with beautifully rendered portraits of Henry VIII and his wives.
   I did feel however, that the doll of Anne Boleyn didn't resemble any of her extant portraits, and some of the costumes were not based on paintings of the time, but were instead invented by the artist (eg Anne of Cleves's German costume, Catherine Parr's green gown).



3. this paper doll book is a must for fans of the king and his wives or for people who are in terested in the time period. With short biographies for all six wives and notes for all there outfits this is a perfect set. In this book there are three versions of the king, the beginning of his reign, his middle age, and in his later days. For each doll there are outfits that are very detailed and the dolls look magnificent. This is a MUST and i HIGHLY recommend this book.



4. This is a beautiful book of paper dolls of Henry VIII and his Wives. It's full of nice little details but in the front page Jane Seymour have one of the dress of Catherine of Aragon and Catherine got one of the costume of Jane and Catherine Howard got one of the dress of Jane.



5. I have other books by Mr. Tierney, but this is one that I recommend most highly... Mr. Tierney does an exquisite job of rendering one of my all time favorite historical periods with his usual flair, and yet each figure is easily recognizable. Like Hans Holbein, the court painter for Henry VIII, he delivers ART!

5 comments about Sketching Your Favorite Subjects in Pen & Ink.

1. Claudia Nice always offers wonderfully detailed instruction in how to realistically capture detail and texture. This is a wonderful addition to your art library.



2. I had a couple of books that covered the subject of Pen and Ink drawing, but none were as easy to follow and helpful as this one. The pictures in the book are simply to die for. She shows you exactly how she creates line, shape and form with ink. There is also an explanation of the tools you will need (not much and not expensive really) to do this kind of work. If you are looking for a good instructional book on drawing with pen and ink I highly recommend this book. However, beware, your paints may dry up in their tubes as you get addicted to doing pen and ink. Fun stuff, the author writes in a way that is easy for anyone to follow.



3. Claudia Nice always does a fine job with details and examples. In comparison to her pen & ink with watercolor books, this one is a little boring. If you are really interested in using pen & ink as a medium, then this is a good book. If you are looking for reference material and drawing examples with intructions, then I recommend a different Nice book.



4. I love the step by step instruction and the real life examples. With no formal training I can sketch the way I always wanted to.



5. Very thorough directions for various pen and ink techniques. Really breaks down the process into easily understandable steps.