3 comments about Supersonic: Visuals for Music.

1. Plenty of modern album covers and posters. This is not a album cover history book. Good source for every graphic design student or professional.



2. Cover to cover this entire book is everything I could have hoped for.
   Jam packed full of the best music related graphics around.
   As a professional graphic artist myself, this book is very inspiring.



3. A good sized hardcover book, 336 pages of good quality photos and lots and lots of cool visuals by some of the top designers and poster artists and album cover artists in music, including Martin Kvamme, Big Active, Emek, Brian Ewing, Insect, Ultrabazar, Methane, The Small Stakes, Dirk Rudolph, Todd Slater, Stylorouge, Heads of State, Yokoland, Stephan Doitschinoff and many many many others. A few interseting interviews as well.

No comments about Magic Eye: A New Bag Of Tricks.

5 comments about How to Write for Animation.

1. I'm not saying it's a bad book. On the contrary. It's very good.
   But you have to know what you are buying.
   It's a book for writing Scripts for ANIMATED SERIES FOR KIDS.
   The case study with which you will go through this hands on course is
   THE MUTANT NINJA TURTULES.
   This will be great for some but not for all.



2. I'm in the process of writing a proposal for a new animated series and though familiar with writing in general have no experience in animation. Scott's book is a clear, step-by-step primer and is a terrific source of info for the beginner. Every writer approaches his work differently, of course but I find Scott's one-block-at-a-time method of putting together a solid animated story to be highly efficient while leaving room for a good deal of creativity and fun at the same time.
   When I feel my energy and ambition start to flag a bit, opening up Scott's book and reading a couple of pages is a great way to get the fires burning again. He writes in a clear, friendly style that neither condescends nor misses any of the major questions a newbie might have.
   "How To Write For Animation" is obviously the product of a highly experienced pro - which is much to the benefit his readers.
   Highly recommended.



3. I didn't know who he was before buying the book but you bet I learned who he is and what he's done. Great person to read and learn from. The book was very inspiring but specially was technically estimulating to the level that for the first time in my life I think I can give it a shot and write something. He explained writing the script not as an art but a science. Most of the times when he mentioned that writing is also an art he refered to this a "something that takes years to develop" so instead of making me feel bad about this, he went ahead and taught me the basics, the basic structure, the basic approach and it was killer to have some actual samples of his work the reinforcing his words. The books is technical so dont expect an "about my life" book which is great... it's clear that Jeffrey has forged his talent and reputation by his work and not by saying how great he is. The book starts technical and ends in a more conversational way when Jeffrey tells you his "points of view" on different media types including internet. One thing I would love to ask him is to release an updated edition or even a new book on writing for a) writing for the internet and b) full length picture writing. When he wrote this book, internet animation was booming, now it's here so, some advice from him on this regard would be useful.



4. I am a published comic book writer developing an idea for an animated series and have been thoroughly impressed with `How to Write for Animation'. In it, Jeffrey Scott takes you through the entire process of animation writing, and provides examples for every step. He demonstrates how to write a premise, beat outline, outline, and script. He then tells you how to make contacts in the industry, including finding an agent. What I especially like about the book is the wealth of information Jeff shares on how to develop a series idea, including writing a bible and pilot script and how to pitch the idea to Hollywood.
   
   A previous reviewer misstates Jeff as saying that writing a feature is impossible. This is not the case. What Jeff did write was that `to the best of my knowledge, at the time of this writing, no spec animated screenplay has ever been sold or produced'. He goes on to write, `Someone IS going to sell an animated spec one day and it might as well be you.' (Emphasis added). This book will equip you to do just that.
   
   For those of you wanting to take the next step in your animation writing career, I highly recommend Jeffrey Scott's Cartoon Writing Apprenticeship Program offered through his website (www.jeffreyscott.tv). In this program, you learn directly from the master and I can tell you from personal experience that Jeff does an incredible job of teaching you how to improve and polish your writing.
   
   The book and the apprenticeship program are incredible resources to help you succeed as an animation writer.



5. I was disappointed in this book since it focussed almost exclusively on creating TV series scripts, and drew virtually all examples from one of Scott's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles scripts. When it comes to features, there's only a small chapter and Scott basically says 'Forget about it - no film scripts have ever been bought from outside a studio - they're only developed in-house by execs.' There's also only one paragraph devoted to creating 'direct-to-video' projects, and no mention whatsoever of strategies for writing for independent films or any less 'orthodox' ways to get your work seen and developed.
   
   Given all the other glowing reviews I read, I expected more.

1 comments about Career Diary of a Fashion Stylist: Gardner's Guide Series (Gardner's Guide series).

1. I really enjoyed reading this little volume. There is so little written about the career of Photo Styling. Kim describes the day-to-day reality of the field and marketing herself in the fashion styling arena so clearly. Susan Linnet Cox, author of "Photo Styling, How to Build Your Career and Succeed"

No comments about The Master of Illusions: Pictures to Ponder from a Visual Virtuoso.

5 comments about Design Motifs of Ancient Mexico CD-ROM and Book (Dover Electronic Clip Art).

1. This Dover Clipart Book on Ancient Mexico has the classic small imagery useful for designing in a variety of art media. Refer to these for quick designs, particularly in print making, stamp making, borders, and so much more. This book compliments the Dover Book - Ancient Mexican Designs, which has the more complex imagery taken from ancient wall art and carved stonework. Both provide cultural imagery that inspire.



2. I don't think so :-(
   You can get the same motif for free on the internet.



3. This is a remarkable collection of images taken from ancient Mexican stamps. These stamps were usually made from fired clay; the author believes they were mainly used to stamp designs on pottery. My guess is that's not always true, as I've seen a lot of Precolumbian Mexican pots, and not many have that type of decoration. The author mentions that the stamps were also used to make temporary tattoos, and to stamp designs on fabric and paper. It would be interesting to know what the current archaeological thinking is on the uses of these stamps.
   
   Butterflies were a popular motif in the Precolumbian Valley of Mexico. It's interesting to note that the Nahuatl (Aztec) word for butterfly is "paplotl", intriguingly similar to the French "papillon". Owls, another popular motif, were tecolotl, the source of the Mexican Spanish word tecolote.
   
   The stamps illustrated are primarily from the Valley of Mexico, with a few from Vera Cruz and other localities. This edition is a reprint of the 1947 book. Dover currently sells Design Motifs of Ancient Mexico, a book and CD collection, but the book appears to be a 48 page abridgement of the original. My advice is, buy the book first, then buy the CD if you want to actually use the designs. The book is the usual high-quality Dover product -- my copy is the 1953 reprint, and it's still in fine shape 50-some years later. Highly recommended.
   
   Happy reading--
   Peter D. Tillman



4. if your fed up of looking at the same old rubbish for your tattoo have a look in here folks!!! its full of great designs for you to get on yourself.... the mexicans tattooed themselve anyway.. eerr i think .. well watever have a look its top stuff.



5. Good reference book. Full of designs that can be reproduced. If one is trying to teach a unit on Aztec designs this is the perfect book to get. Students can reproduce the designs and have fun. If the purpose is to create graphics, there are several great designs to choose from.

1 comments about What is Product Design? (Essential Design Handbooks).

1. From a product design student:
   
   I was very impressed with the organization and presentation of information in this book. Good balance of images, text, and charts. It has four basic sections: Issues concerning product designers; the Anatomy of design (from essential skills to understanding the design process to distribution and IP of designs); Portfolio examples of companies and individuals - it shows not only high profile ID but especially inspirational and exploratory design work; and finally at Etc. section for resources, glossary, index, and credits.
   
   
   This book completely answers the question posed by its title in a clear and thorough manner. 'Nuff said.

1 comments about Fashion (Oxford History of Art).

1. Fashion Primer for the serious student/follower of womens couture, costume design, and ready to wear. Concise and informative.

4 comments about German Expressionist Woodcuts (Collections of Fine Art in Dover Books).

1. very happy with the contents but would like to have known if prints were actual size?



2. An excellent introduction to German Expressionist Woodcut artists and easily worth the price.



3. wonderful collection of woodcuts- like all dover books, it is a great buy!



4. Some much to see, feel and love in this rare compliation of some of the best art to be created in this century. I'll open it for any kind of creative inspiration i need, and it has never let me down!

No comments about Packaging Design (Portfolio).