2 comments about Contemporary Newspaper Design: Shaping the News in the Digital Age : Typography & Image on Modern Newsprint.

1. This book gives a very nice graphical look at many different newpapers from around the world. Not only is it a terrific resource for any designer who is looking for inspiration, but it is also an interesting read for any curious person.



2. I stopped subscribing to a daily newspaper nearly ten years ago, and if it weren't for the ubiquitous copies of USA TODAY shoved under hotel room doors, my direct experience with contemporary papers would be limited for the most part to leave-behinds on subways and airplane seat pockets. True, I shove coins in the corner box when confronted by a major headline event, but the web is ever beckoning.
   
   That's why I'm surprised how much I enjoyed CONTEMPORARY NEWSPAPER DESIGN. I've long been familiar with John D. Berry's writing on type, of course, but to see him focused on (ahem) yesterday's news didn't at first appeal. But then I took a closer look. Beginning with his insightful initial essay linking technology, economics, and the different needs of commuter train and subway car readers to the practical decisions of design and type, he goes on to illustrate his themes through well-chosen pages from papers around the world, from the most formal to the rawest tabloids, accompanied by a series of thoughtful, insightful, well-written essays from leading practitioners.
   
   While this book is rich enough for the more knowledgeable and demanding reader, it's accessible and interesting enough for those of us with a more casual relationship to the daily newspaper. I hadn't expected it, but I ended up agreeing with Berry's conclusion, that "those who think carefully about the best ways to give us our news, and the entertainment and punditry and advertising that go with it, will do us a service and will probably be in demand for a long time to come."

2 comments about Fantasy Clip Art: Everything You Need to Create Your Own Professional-Looking Fantasy Artwork.

1. I was going to buy this book when I saw it in a local bookstore. I decided against it, however, when I read the highly restrictive license the authors/publishers placed the book and CD under.
   
   Basically, I'm prohibited from using any derivative works I create with this book for any reason, any time, without paying royalties. So, if I really like the look of the _arm_ of one of the characters in the book and attach it to a character of my own creation in one frame in my 30 page, 180-frame comic, I'm screwed.
   
   Other clip art books (e.g., Dover) wisely note that the clip art is for actual use, and as long as I don't try to sell their clip art in a clip art book (thereby competing directly), or make a derivative work that is mostly their stuff, they allow me free use of the art I purchase. Unfortunately, Crossley (or his publisher) doesn't understand the purpose of clip art books, and sadly places his "valuable" intellectual property safely out of my reach in any practical way.
   
   Thanks, but no thanks.



2. This book provides a wealth of top-quality fantasy art resources which can be used for all sorts of creative projects - including board, card and even video games. It's a really attractive book to own, with top quality color printing throughout. If you know your way around Photoshop, but don't have the talent to create artwork for yourself then this book is a complete gold mine.

3 comments about Whiting and Davis Purses - The Perfect Mesh.

1. IF YOU COLLECT WHITING AND DAVIS FROM EARLY YEARS UNTIL NOW YOU WILL BE AMAZED AT THE HISTORY IN THE BOOK. I LIKED THE FACT THAT IT GAVE YOU INFORMATION ABOUT EACH ERA, OWNER AND HOW IT WAS CHANGED. IT IS LIKE STROLLING THROUGH TIME. IT DOES SHOW YOU WHAT THE VALUE IS FOR A PURSE IN GOOD CONDITION AND MINT. THE ONLY THING I WISH IS THAT IT LISTED PLACES THAT WOULD REPAIR THE PURSES OR SHOW PLACES YOU COULD ORDER PARTS.
   IT IS GOOD FOR COLLECTING ANG SELLING IF YOU NEED AN IDEA OF HOW MUCH TO ASK OR OFFER.



2. Fine photos, well organized, comprehensive, price range given. This was a present for my wife, and it was just what she wanted.



3. There are many antique purse books which include some mesh but this is by far the best for just mesh. Many members of the Antique Purse Collectors Society have this on their shelf!

2 comments about History of 20th Century Fashion.

1. _A History of 20th Century Fashion_ is best appreciated as what it is; a basic, introductory text to the subject of fashion history in the past century. Author Elizabeth Ewing doesn't aim at extremely detailed, in-depth examination of every subheading of the subject of fashion, preferring instead to show the major trends, ideas and designs of the century. The book is very well-illustrated, _always_ a plus in a book on such an inherently visual topic (in fact, I consider good illustration so important in a book on fashion that I'll deduct a full star from my review of any book on the topic that doesn't have a decent selection of pictures). Be sure to check which edition you're buying if you want the latest one; the book has been updated several times since its original publication (the edition listed here is the 4th revised edition, dated 2001). Best appreciated in conjunction with other good texts on the subject (such as Caroline Millbank's _Couture_ and Ruth Lynam's _Couture_, or James Laver's _Fashion and Costume_), but nonetheless definitely recommended for a costume student's library.



2. 
   History of 20th Century Fashion contains information on the styling and designers that made them. It starts in the 1900's and goes to 1980's. It tells about the trends and fashions of that era and the designers who made them. The book goes into detail about some of the designer's life and his or her achievements. The book also makes the connection to the Paris inspirations. Not only does this book discuss the clothing but it also discusses the shoes and the hairstyles. History of 20th Century Fashions covers everything that happened from 1900 to 1980. if you need a book for fashion history this is it this is extremly detaled and self explanatory.

No comments about Mythical Creatures (Design Source Books).

3 comments about Japanese Ink Painting: Beginner's Guide to Sumi-E.

1. Informative, explanatory, detailed and with beautiful images! Definitely a good buy if you would like to start sumi-e.



2. I have been teaching and practicing this artform (Chinese Brush Painting) for about 5 years and have found this among the very best of the available books on the subject. Ms. Frame takes us through the basics, with descriptions of the materials and brushstrokes that one can actually follow and put into practice -all the time keeping true to the tradition. She then takes us beyond the basics with lovely projects incorporating colour along with the ink. I would highly recommend this book along with Ning Yeh's instruction books and videos for anyone seriously interested in learning the techniques of this beautiful artform.



3. I have done ink brush painting for over 20 years in Japan, China and now in Alabama. Japanese Ink Painting is a clear, beautifully illustrated approach for all experienced or new to the art. It is a valuable resource to everyne who desires to utilize a brush with ink, watercolor, or any medium and be sucessful with it.

1 comments about Period Costume for Stage & Screen: Patterns for Women's Dress, Medieval-1500.

1. I already own and love "Period Costume for Stage & Screen, 1500-1800 Vol 1," so I rushed right out and bought this book as soon as it came out. I was very disappointed.

   It is a decent book, especially for theater use, but it lacks the excellent understanding of period cut displayed the 1500-1800 book. I expected mush more from Hunnisett.

   There are many poorly-drawn illustrations which manage to get the point across, but they do not always show what is really in the paintings they purport to be redrawn from. No explanations are given for some of her more unusual cutting decsions, such as the use of big obvious darts on 15th cent. bodices. In other cases, period garments are pictured next to pattern layouts that could never produce anything resembling them-- almost as bad as Hill & Bucknell. None of the example costumes shown in the book are actually intended as authentic-looking medieval dresses-- all are more or less fantasy-inspired.

   If you are looking for a general book on how to make pseudo-medieval fantasy costumes (that look like tie-dyed nightgowns), perhaps for children's theater, this is an okay book, but not great-- nothing inspiring here. If you are looking for a book showing an expert cutter's conjectures on period cut to use as a starting point for developing an authentic-looking costume, either for theatrical or historical reenactment use, don't bother with this one except to check the one page bibliography in the back, and the single useful one page spread of 15th cent Italian sleeves. The rest is nothing special at all. Like so many of these books, you must take everything she shows you with a big grain of salt.

   On the other hand, I cannot recommend "Period Costume for Stage & Screen, 1500-1800 Vol 1" highly enough.

No comments about Victorian and Edwardian Furniture and Interiors: From the Gothic Revival to Art Nouveau.

1 comments about Ready-to-Use Heraldic Designs (Clip Art Series).

1. A great book filled with wonderful art. I haven't seen such clear and clean art giving samples of so many classic designs. I have been hired to design a logo with the romance and authentic look of the early Heraldic designs. This book has been very very helpful.

1 comments about 120 Great Fairy Paintings CD-ROM and Book (Full-Color Electronic Design Series).

1. Excellent , excellent quality on these cd images. This isn't a huge book but has a pretty nice selection. The images print out big and beautiful.