5 comments about Wilhelmina Guide to Modeling.

1. Had the modeling industry edited this book it never would have gone to press as it is. It reveals the truth about agencies, the little ones, the big ones--and the obvious and not so obvious aspects of an industry that thrives off of young men and women with big dreams. The coverage of modeling in Italy is especially true to life. This book was used as evidence in a court case that changed the way agencies are allowed to treat models, what they are permitted to charge them for inclusion in agency books, for model cards, and even how much of a cut they are allowed to take from a model's earnings. Some agencies went under because of the secrets so innocently revealed in these pages. Lots of excellent practical advice too. Easily the best book in the business even if it is not so recent as some other books on the subject.



2. I am impressed with the amount of information this book gave. It really guides you step by step & made me realize that even though I'm short(5'2), I can still make it in beauty, print, petite & junior/teen modeling.



3. This book had no real advice. Most of it was just common sense advice any person shold know. Seemed geared for 15 year old girls only.



4. Essentially this book, with its large fonts and generous helpings of superfluous pictures, contained scant information about the modeling industry. The pages are just filled with very shallow and unsubstantiated statements such as, "Your agent will navigate your career, setting in motion a business and promotional plan geared to market fully your unique looks and talent", with no further elaboration. Take for example its chapter on "Ethinic Modeling". It glazes over the subject on how its such a promising area of the industry and tops it off with two short interviews with 2 female black models - 7 pages in all, with plenty of pictures might I add. The interviews themselves were just as disappointing with superficial statements of little substance that only glamorizes the modelling industry. Above all, the author insults the reader's intelligence by shamelessly pitching the Wilhelmina modeling agency almost every other page. In fact, the entire book's message boils down to - try to sign up with an model agency (no less the Wilhelmina) and expect a 20% commission rate. Those who have rated this book 5 stars are obviously the author or Wilhemlmina employees.



5. Like many models getting started in the business, I didn't know which way to turn. The hardest part is to qualify clients and to only work with those that will keep the image of you that you would like to promote in the market place. This book really doesn't outline this aspect of the industry. Good management is what got me a blossoming career in this business. Thanks to Digital White Boy Management, http://www.digitalwhiteboy.com , I've made it in this industry.

2 comments about The Golden Age of Advertising - The 70s (Taschen 25).

1. Julie scoffed at the purchased, and then was seen absorbed in the book laughing and smiling and waht not.



2. As the preface to this book points out, print advertising in the 70s was ugly and uninspired. The book does an excellent job of presenting a variety of ugly advertisements, for ugly products, that support this assertion.
   
   I recommend this book to anyone who is curious what advertising looked like 30 years ago, or if you want to see if advertising from the 70s was as bad as you remember (it is!).

3 comments about Software Essentials for Graphic Designers: Photoshop, Illustrator, Quark, Indesign, Quarkxpress, Dreamweaver, Flash, and Acrobat.

1. This book has been a valuable tool for learning new tricks for the programs I know and for learning the basics of the programs I don't know. Highly recommend!



2. This book is a fantastic survey of 2D graphic design programs. It is well written and has a ton of full color pictures that guide you. Covering the most popular programs, it will surely give you a great foundation for graphic design. The CD included complements the book very well and has many helpful, short, and easily understood tutorials for each chapter. And at this amazing price it's the greatest $20 book purchase I've ever made.



3. Mark Gatter, the author of Software Essentials for Graphic Designers, assumes that as a graphic designer, you may specialize in one of four areas of design which are website design, vector graphics, image editing and page layout. Therefore, you will probably concentrate on those software programs that will help you in your area. But eventually, you may take on a project that will require you to use some of those other software programs that you may have just glanced at in the past. So where do you turn? This quick reference book will help you answer those basic how-to questions you encounter on the job.
   
   Gatter chose to concentrate on the seven most popular 2D graphic software programs; Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver, Flash, Acrobat and Quark QuartXPress. Each program is given its own chapter which begins with an overview of the program, what jobs it can be used for and how it differs from other design programs. The author tries to make the rest of the chapter as version independent as possible, which works to the readers advantage. Instead of concentrating on the new bells and whistles included in the latest version, he concentrates on the basic features which are included in any version. He hopes that by only teaching these basics skills, which are usually the skills you will need on most design projects, his readers will not be overwhelmed with information. Basically, he teaches you the skills you need to accomplish simple tasks with each of the seven software programs and gives you enough knowledge of the software to be ready to learn more advanced skills.
   
   The CD contains the files used in the book and video tutorials that reinforce what you have learned. Mark Gatter has extensive experience in graphic design, web and print production and shares several tips throughout the book. He is also an instructor and the author of Getting It Right In Print: A Guide for Graphic Designers.

No comments about Art and Fashion: The Impact of Art on Fashion and Fashion on Art.

1 comments about Traditional American Tattoo Design: Where It Came from and Its Evolution.

1. great book credit given to the proper people for once,jerry knows his stuff a must read book

4 comments about Etching, Engraving and Other Intaglio Printmaking Techniques.

1. Leaf's text covers a remarkable range of intaglio techniques. The first chapters cover the basics of tools, printing papers, and setting up a workshop. Next, she covers the basics of familiar printmaking techniques, etching (including soft ground), aquatint, and some interesting variations. This section also includes recipes for inks and grounds - not encyclopedic, but a basic set of materials for different techniques. Leaf covers each technique methodically, describing its goals, materials, and process. The end of each chapter offers an especially helpful "what went wrong" section.
   
   Following the basics, Leaf continues with some elaborations, including multiple layers of aquatint and viscosity printing. She also lays out some unusual techniques, including collographs and "tuilegraphs." That's a fascinating variation on linoleum prints, but based on slightly different materials and very distinctive ways of creating the image in the printing surface.
   
   Despite its strengths, this book has a few significant weak spots. Safety standards aren't always what a current reader would hope. For example, discussion of the corrosive etchants talks about flushing eyes with water in case of an acid spash, but doesn't mention goggles. Elsewhere, she mentions protective gloves in the text but omits those gloves from the photos that show the process under discussion. And, when it comes to disposing of spent etchant, I can't agree with pouring "neutralized acid on the ground where you don't expect anything to grow." On the positive side, techniques are profusely illustrated, showing both techniques and finished products.
   
   Those problems just mean that the reader should approach this with a critical eye, not avoid it completely. There's just too much good here to give up.
   
   -- wiredweird



2. I cannot complain about Leaf's intro to etching. My only caveat is that although the title includes engraving, there is only one rudimentary chapter on engraving. But otherwise the structure and clarity of the the text is great. I'm always referring back to it.



3. great reference book - agreed by 4 others who recieved copies



4. This book is stocked as reference in a classroom situation. Lots of detailed information on many techniques in an easy to follow manner along with detailed photographs. Detailed recipes for etching solutions and description of appropriate use. Great for the novice but also valuable as a reference. Lots of valuable information for a small price.

No comments about The Essential Principles Of Graphic Design.

3 comments about Fashion Now 2.

1. This book is a good one but I expected more. I purchased it thinking it would have info about fashion lines and such yet all it has is the history of the desginers and in size 1 font. You have to strain your eyes read it. But still it was very informational (is that a word?) and I did learn a few more designers names.



2. I knew about fahion books published by Taschen during a Fashion Course I took last Summer in Italy. I got this one and another titled Fashion History and let me tell you that they offer really great books considering their price, quality, photos and the information presented about the topic.
   This book contains a summary of the biographies and work of the most renowed Fashion Designers and the emerging talent on the Fashion Industry. I suggest to keep it not only as a reference book but also as a guide for further research.



3. this is one of the best fashion books out there. a breif discription of all the best designers in the industry. a good reference to keep.

5 comments about Design Literacy: Understanding Graphic Design.

1. the book was new as promised but i got it too late though it was 2nd day delivery via DHL.
   i was upset for the late delivery only but otherwise it was good



2. I use this book as a catch me up for everyone one of my students who are interested in graphic design, but don't know anything about it. This book and the sequel "Design Literacy Continued" are easy to read, wide in scope and plow through touchy subjects like Racist Websites and the garbage all over contemporary magazines.

   It's the best education I ever got sitting in the bathroom.




3. This book isn't quite a history book, nor is it a book on design theory. While it has aspects of both, it's more like a series of case studies, in which almost 100 designers, magazines, posters, advertisements, icons, types... are analyzed and discussed and placed in a historical context.

   So if you're expecting a comprehensive book on design history, this is not for you. In no way does it feel complete for a design education. What it does is provide thoughtful pieces to consider, and a perspective on the usage of design, originality, trends, etc. The authors do have a point of view, but it doesn't ruin the book. To the contrary, it makes it even more interesting. Design isn't just art and technique It's grounded in economics, history, culture, and politics. Heller and Pomeroy contribute a useful set of essays to help the reader become more aware of these relations.




4. Design Literacy and Design Literacy (continued) is an excellent introduction to graphic design under the surface. I use Phil Meggs' history book for facts and these books for inspiration.



5. Design Literacy and its sequel, Design Literacy (continued) explain the inner workings (and spirit) of graphic design and some of the best designers. Its been very valuable for my education as a graphic designer.

5 comments about Dragons: A Book of Designs (Dover Pictorial Archive Series).

1. I ordered this book and a book called Dragons and Wizards. When I started to look through Dragons:A Book of Designs, I was sorely disappointed. Everything in this book is in the Dragons and Wizards CD-ROM and Book except the Wizards one had additional media in it. I feel like I paid twice for the same book. BEWARE, THIS IS A LESSER DUPLICATE!



2. For goldwork embroidery which uses large but simple designs, these dragons would need to be greatly enlarged and simplified further. But a useful source anyway and good price.



3. I will not lie, this book has some interesting drawings but from the point of view of a graphic designer most drawings are lacking in graphism. They all are in black and white (with exception of those portrayed on the cover) which I have no problem with; but if you are thinking of reproducing them for logos, decoration, emblems, etc. you will find some dragons unusable since most are awfully complicatedly misdrawn: eyes are often off, lines are shabby, drawings seem childlike and not up to standards with other Dover books of design I have bought. The origin of the drawings is vague and sometimes unexistent, most only state which country they came from and dates are general to entire centuries, no record from where it was taken from or whom drew them, with exception to seven drawings in the whole book. Still if you only want them for looking at it or if you're willing to repair broken lines and seemingly unfinished drawings you should buy it.



4. Many kinds of lovely line drawing dragons. These are b/w line drawings, no colour, despite the cover. Still, very much worth the $$.



5. These dont have color but I bought them for the patterns..to use parts of this one and parts of that one on tracing paper to come up with my own dragons..the pictures are very good quality..and for any dragon lover or artist.Its well worth adding to the library...B.W.