1 comments about The Little Know-It-All: Common Sense for Designers.

1. This small-size, thick handbook for design of visual materials such as educational material and advertising is encyclopedic in its content though not organized as systematically or logically as a regular encyclopedia. Material includes not only technical guidance and experienced tips, but also historical background on some of the countless topics. The section on paper, for instance, notes, "Paper has different qualities according to the way it is manufactured and according to its composition." Then the section continues to cite what paper is composed of and describe its different qualities; after which, many kinds of paper such as coated, art paper, and even cardboard are annotated. "Perception and reading behavior" is discussed in the larger topic of the many types of script and use of appropriate script for a particular project. A chart with small type (about 7 point) on file formats of digital media covers six pages. Differences between and uses of Adobe Illustrator, Quark Xpress, Kodak PhotoCD, and many other file formats are readily picked out from it.
   
   The broad-ranging, eclectic content extends beyond just technical topics and aesthetic considerations to include the business matters of promotion, intellectual property, and project management. Design departments of corporations, small design firms, and freelance designers would all find the handbook equally useful. A detailed index and an outline of the primary sections of each chapter (e. g., Digital Media, Production, Marketing, Law) at its start are helpful in locating particular material of interest and of use.

5 comments about Amano: The Complete Prints of Yoshitaka Amano.

1. The book is well put together and has great image quality, but unless your a big Amano fan than this book is probably not for you. Honestly I wish I could truly give this book 5 stars because I love his ink designs but some of his fairy concepts is not my cup of tea. As for range this book delivers like few art books do and you truly get a feel for his style and what he's about.
   If you got the change to spend and love art books than this will make a great addition to your collection. Otherwise I would go to a store and flip through it a bit to see if it is for you.



2. I've seen his work on the Arts channel and am impressed, but when I looked at this book I was disappointed. I hadn't realized he did violent, prurient comic books for adults, and much of this book is devoted to those examples. However, his line and color and the flowing mystic quality are what attract me, but I am turned away by his subject matter.



3. This is an amazing item! The art work is simply stunning. Since words are inadequate to describe this book, you must buy it immediately!



4. The book is wonderful but keep in mind half of the book is a catalog of his work (for other words ton of pictures that are inch and a half by an inch).



5. This book is a perfect artbook, an wonderful edition, with an excellent paper, and high quality images. Some pages can unfold and form large and amazing images.
   This book has a complete collection of the drawings and paintings more remarkable of the author,and reflects the influence of the traditional Japan and the modern occidental arts.
   It is an artbook that you cannot let have if you really admire Amano's works.

No comments about Cartier: Innovation through the 20th Century.

5 comments about The Artful Bride: Wedding Invitations: A Stylish Bride's Guide to Simple, Handmade Wedding Correspondence (Artful Bride).

1. I think this book has great ideas and styles for everyone. Some of the ideas are very simple that anyone could do (I am not an artsy/creative person at all), while other ideas are for the more crafty person.
   
   This book was so helpful to me, I saved a lot of money and my invitations are much more personable and more my style than anything I could have bought at a store.



2. I have found that I am obviously not very crafty. The book tries to lay out the details on how to make the invitations for those of us that are crafty challenged. I decided that there was to much work involved with making your own invitations. There are very nice designs in the book for those people that are willing to put the time and effort into making the invitations.



3. I was looking for more formal invitation options. The term "artful" is correct in the title, for they were crafty. I did not find them to be "stylish" according to my taste.



4. This is a nice book. However, it would have been even better if there were more invitation styles included in the book.



5. This book has a lot of creative ideas for sending out your standard wedding invitation. None of them are extremely hard (though I would skip the one that has your photo plastered onto some sort of zippered card).

3 comments about All About Techniques in Airbrush.

1. I'm just beginning to learn how to use an airbrush and this book gave me alot of useful information about the different types of airbrushes and how to use them.



2. Great book especially for beginners. How to lessons and step by step guides are very didactic. I also find "Imitating Textures" part fantastic :) I'm just a beginner and learned too many things from this book. Thank you. I appreciate for buying this.



3. I am new to Airbrushing have taken 2 10 week classes, but this book started at the begining and went on to the very advanced and made many things clearer. I would recomend it to anyone who had an interest in Airbrushing.

3 comments about 422 Art Nouveau Designs and Motifs in Full Color (Dover Pictorial Archive Series).

1. I purchased this book along with one by M. P. Verneuil, and, on a scale of 1 to 10, I'd give THIS one a firm "5". The idea starters are here, in some lovely period (although somewhat mono to duochromatic) colors, but most are small and will need much manipulation and skilled handwork to transfer to a project. Because of their small printed size, a scan into digital format can only help so far: I was able to scan a chosen 1.5" X 3" image in at 300dpi, re-interpolating the image at 200% size. THEN I was able to "re-draw" the image by tracing it using Adobe Illustrator, producing my own vector (infinitely scaleable) digital image. It took me (a professional graphic artist) about 3 hours total to produce ONE of the 7 borders I need for several urns I am working on.
   
   When every minute counts, I cannot afford to do this every time I need an image to "accent" a project I've already spent hours on, so, for me, it would be far easier to dream up a design (or use one of the illo's in this book as a 'starter') on my own without going through all of the scanning, re-drawing, image manipulations, tweaking, re-sizing, etc.
   
   For those who KNOW there's no such thing as a "free lunch" (or thick volume of totally usable art for tracing or stencilling), this is still a nice book for referencing, especially if you're having a creative block and need some sparks to get the artistic fire going. But do expect to work at turning out a scaleable, tileable piece.
   
   My only other disappointment was that this was a relatively THIN book (let?), and might've been a little nicer (and heftier!) if they'd NOT tried to squeeze so many illo's onto each page (hence, making most almost too small to work with)...
   
   
   On the other hand, the "other" book I purchased, "Art Nouveau Floral Patterns and Stencil Designs" by M. P. Verneuil, was WONDERFUL (read my review of it there): the illo sizes are comfortable, the colors are bewitching (true color, not mono or duo tints!), and I am eager to use 4 out of every 5 designs (159 total crisp, detailed color plates)in the book!
   
   -- Shea



2. This book is fantastic. Beautiful images and tons of borders, full-color - breath taking!



3. Being a lover of Art Nouveau style, I liked the designs which will be very useful in my artistic endeavours. However, I was quite disappointed with the presentation of colours and sometimes print quality

No comments about Graphic Surf: Decals, Patches, Stickers.

5 comments about Quotable Walt Disney.

1. This is a wonderful book. Easy and enjoyable to read. The quotes bring you closer to understanding one of the true geniuses in American entertainment.
   
   The quotes are facinating, and humorous, and some are quite profound. This is a great book for any writer, or speaker to draw from, and it is historically educational.
   
   If you are a fan of Disney, or just curious about a figure in the world of entertainment who achieved greatness and had a solid philosophy of entertainment, then you will enjoy this book.



2. Why It's Boring

   The quotes are rarely profound, unique, or written well enough to be truly "quotable." For example, "I like symphonic music. A good concert if you're kind of relaxed, it can do something to you. It's sort of an emotional break you get by listening to the music" (p. 98). If you believe that this sentiment is worthy of being presented in gift book form, gussied up with big font and given it's own half page, then order the book now!

   Why It's Irritating

   In the words of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, "Let me count the ways." Hmm...see how I realize that that expression didn't originate in my own mind? The book did contain some quotes that would be somewhat meaningful, were they not cheap, poorly written imitations of another's work. For example, "I think of a newborn baby's mind as a blank book" (p. 130). This concept was even better when first said by John Locke in the late 1600's. And of course, great thinkers often reprise earlier theories but they don't claim them as their own and dress them up in a gift book.

   Perhaps as a society we should stop looking to celebrity-types as "great thinkers" (unless they actually are) and appreciate them for their true contributions and talents. Walt Disney is not to blame though for this embarrassment of a book. It's the fault of the editor who compiled the quotes and the greed of the Disney empire trying to make money from another publication with a limited sense of integrity.




3. Never before has such an exhaustive compilation of Walt Disney quotes been gathered together, all into one neat little package. This officially sanctioned gift book, researched by the founder of the Disney Archives, David R. Smith, is a well organized look inside the mind of one of America's foremost creative geniuses. Some of the most memorable quotes are surprisingly direct, and it don't take much effort to understand. Walt Disney always seemed to be quite sure of himself, his audience (which became the world), and his product. Perhaps that's why Disney's creations are just as embraced and appreciated as they were generations ago when they first appeared. He created the first true "theme" park, Disneyland, which inspired the number one tourist attraction in the world, Walt Disney World. "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" remains one of the most highly successful films of all time, and was honored by the American Film Institute as one of the 100 greatest films of all time.

   This insightful little book makes a nice gift for any Disney fan and is a wonderful reminder of the the main behind the name "Disney".




4. Kids growing up these days lose sight of the fact that Walt Disney was, above all, a man and not just a brand name. He followed his dreams, even though many tried to discourage him, told him his ideas would never work and he stuck with his dreams... even resolutely going through a bankruptcy. The Quotable Walt Disney is just that: quotes. But if you're interested in what made the man who founded an empire (with a little help from a mouse he saw one day) tick...then you need to buy, read and even underline this book. True, these ARE quotes. And, true, as a former journalist (who is now a ventriloquist) I recognize a lot of "statements" in there -- pro forma quotes given to journalists, self-serving statements, etc. But there are also tons of gems. There are inspring quotes you can go back to and read again and again. I'm going to read it again and mark the ones I want to go back to, and paperclip them. Some entail the importance of determination; others such qualities as open-mindedness, the importance of surrounding yourself with capable colleagues, the wonder of finding inspiration for creativity in the least likely places. Yes, this IS a book of quotes. A small book. But it'll save you LOTS of time if you "listen" to Walt in this compact book, rather than having to read the many (and sometimes bad) biographies about him. And amid the formal statements given in countless interviews you'll find true gems. Like any gem, you can look a jewel of quote in wonder again and again. If you apply these gems in your life, it will be worth far more than the price of this quote-filled book.



5. The book is exactly what is claims to be: a collection of quotes attributed to Walt Disney. It is divided into sections according to theme, rather than chronologically, including materials on films and animation, Mickey Mouse, the theme parks, children, family, education, television, art and music, success and failure (there are 16 in all). Some of the quotes are familiar, others less so. Sometimes quotes are repeated in sections.

   One of the book's major flaws is lack of context. Quotes are dropped in without explanation. This is quite common for the genre, but it means that the quotes are not useful for anything other than pithy statement unless the reader is already familiar with the context. The quotes do act as quick sound-bites for those interested in a positive look at Walt Disney's rhetoric. I appreciated the correct version of "I make the pictures for entertainment, and then the professors tell me what they mean" (197). Too often the statement gets changed to the plural we, which reconstructs Walt's statements and contributes to the "Cult of Walt Disney." As this example demonstrates, it should be remembered that, despite his claims to teamwork, Walt was interested in representing his vision on screen and elsewhere.

   For that very reason, what isn't so useful to this book is its editing of comments and its omissions, both of which ultimately help construct the Cult of Walt Disney. Ellided are the comments about EPCOT (as the community of tomorrow) that state Walt's intention was not to let retirees live in EPCOT, or Walt's belief that EPCOT's residents should not own the land. Of course, these statements were said in a context that talked about urban planning, individuals' committment to community, and the need for control. Still, by editing the comments out, the book presents an overly simplistic picture of a complex man. Also missing are quotes that are critical, like some of Walt's statements during the animator's strike.

   It's as if the Quotable Walt Disney simply wants to celebrate the legend and not reveal the man. To be fair, that's what most of these types of books do. But in continuing to reinforce the Cult of Walt Disney, the book avoids presenting Walt Disney as a human being full of incongruities and inconsistencies...it oversimplifies his reactions, influences, and intentions. And by keeping Walt a mythic figure, the Quotable Walt Disney provides a one-sided picture of the man. All on purpose, to be sure, but disappointing nonetheless.

   Again, this unbalaced presentation is to be expected from a quote book meant to celebrate Walt Disney, inspire its readers, and reaffirm the ideas that the converted already hold about Walt. But it would have been nice to see more man and less myth in the picture.

   For those interested in learning about Walt Disney, I would not recommend this book. It doesn't provide enough information for the basis of the quotes. Instead, read a biography--whether an "official" one like Thomas or 100 Years or the far more satisfying and complex one by Watts. If you're a Disneyphile or looking for a stocking stuffer gift for your favorite fan, sure, pick this up. Just remember that it is exactly what it claims to be: a book of quotations, meant to reinforce the "genius" and legend of Walt Disney and not to suggest the significance and implications of what Walt said.

5 comments about Japanese Design Motifs (Dover Pictorial Archive Series).

1. Im in graphic design and using this book has helped me so much! Hundreds of pages bombarded with close to 3x3 thumbnails-so much info that it will probably take a very long time to actually notice each design. Some people dont like this book because all designs are set into a limited palette of insignias. The point is not to look at what the overall shape of the thumbnail is but at the specific contours, combinations. There's a variety from organic to geometric shapes. Some designs look modern, others ancient, others are used today i.e. radiation symbol. All of these designs come from an Asian background which is so design and logo-oriented that it most definitely helps you find that "swoosh" or certain attitude you're looking for. Overall, Dover books have great graphics!



2. It hadn't occurred to me that this could be a research source for geneaology, but i'm glad to see that it's useful for those searching for ancestral emblems. I appreciate this book as a source for small, clip art versions of Japanese graphic design.
   As any user of clip art knows, it only takes one application from a source to pay for the cost of the book and this one has more than paid its way.



3. This book is simply the best. I found my maternal grandfather's mon and my paternal grandmother's crest in this book. It is quite comprehensive. Reading japanese kanji is a plus as you can then read descriptions next to appropriate mon. Graphic artists studying oriental design will find more than 4,000 designs that have existed for hundreds of years. There is inspiration aplenty for all artists.



4. I bought the book for my son and he loved everything about it. The illustrations are teriffic.



5. Supposedly, there are about 2,000 Japanese family crests, with origins that reach back more than a millenium. And while I can't say whether this book contains all two thousand, it's nevertheless pretty comprehensive. They're presented in columns of black images--each image about 2" in diameter--and grouped by theme (e.g., crests depicting one cherry blossom, then crests based on 2 blossoms, then crests based on 3 blossoms, etc.).
   
   Like other Dover art books, this one is primarily for artists and designers, rather than for students of history/culture. (I used these images for stencilling, during an Anglo-Japanese makeover of our 1870s-era house--and discovered that "chinoiserie" abounds, but "japanesque" is rare. This book became part of an invaluable, and small, set of resources.)

5 comments about Calligraphic Ornaments CD-ROM and Book (Dover Electronic Clip Art Series).

1. Buyers shoud be aware that this book has the same content as an earlier Dover book,Ready-to-Use Calligraphic Ornaments by Kiyoshi Takahashi. This is better becuase it comes with a CD, but it is the same collection of images.
   
   The .eps format dissapointed me...like other reviewers, I was hoping vor vector based images. I did have good results with Illustrator CS2's live trace tool. I turned the images into plain linework, then added the thick/thin look of calligraphy by applying Illustrator's calligraphic brushes. A bit if work, but the results are nice.



2. I must say I am glad that I read the other reviews so that I was prepared when I purchased this item. It is a bit misleading that the CD contains files in EPS format because they act just like a placed image in Illustrator. HOWEVER, with a program like Adobe Streamline, the images are absolutely GORGEOUS. I highly recommend this item along with Streamline. In the end, the quality workmanship of a Dover book is found in this product.



3. When i first saw this book, i was very excited because it said that i had .eps files, which to me, mean vector, easy to use etc. These files are all raster, thus if you are seeking full vector, you might need to order a copy of Adobe Streamline and covert these. Big disappointment.

   joshua
   (...)




4. And unfortunately I was looking for true clip art! However, I must say that the ornaments presented are truly stunning, and can easily be used in paper crafting of any kind. I used this book to create labels for gifts and to address holiday envelopes. I am a novice desktop publisher and was not disappointed.

   Cris Cunningham




5. The ornamentation is very nice but something anyone buying any of the Dover Electronic Clip Art series books should take into account is that they are not actual clip art items. Dover has just scanned the art and put it on a CD, the items are not scalable or changeable in a usual clip art format. It is very helpful to have the images already scanned but if you want true clip art, this book is not for you.