5 comments about Layout Workbook: A Real-World Guide to Building Pages in Graphic Design.

1. I love the Rockport series of graphic design books. Eye candy all, but a major bone to pick. What's with the teeny-tiny type? Is layout more important than the content? Does style trump purpose? One needs a magnifying glass to read anything. Or maybe it's not meant to be read, but goggled? I sadly returned my copy.



2. So what if it's not a workbook. The content more than makes up for the misname. This book is designed for people that are annoyed by those books filled with "content", that really only repeat the same thing over and over again. This book was written in a brief concise writing style and, to me, that is priceless. That title says layout workbook, but in reality it deals with more than just that. It deals with design process, which is very important for every designer, the overall mentality of what a designer should think like, and most of the fundamentals that all designers should come to learn in their long and hard design journey. Most people that write 5 star reviews only say things like it's a great book or truly wonderful, which I find very useless. Nonetheless, it's a great book, and I strongly recommend you get a copy as it will change the way you view design, especially if you starting out, or find yourself being an auto-didactic person. Thanks to this book I'll be starting my freelance carrier soon.



3. Deceptive title. Expected more in-depth material on layouts, grids and publication design. Turned out to be more of a graphic design basics book that gives surface level info on various design concepts. Not really a workbook either - no interactive exercises or anything. Last 1/3 of the book basically profiles various design firms and certain print publications they've created. Again - very surface level analysis.
   
   Not recommended for intermediate/advanced designers.



4. This was a great buy and I am very happy. The delivery was quick and the book is in great shape. Thanks!



5. I like this book a lot and it is clearly influenced by the authors graduate education at RISD, her undergraduate education at UIUC (with influence by Renate Gokl) and her on the job experience in the Chicago design world.
   
   I think the reason why it has the word "workbook" in it is that is the title of a series of books by Rockport. This is, unfortunately, a persistent trend in design books which is forcing authors to title, change, or redesign books so they fit an editor's idea of a series. Even if it really does not fit that series.
   (Why can't publishers let design authors simply publish a book on type, a book on identity design, whatever..., and not have it be part of a "series"?!)
   
   One criticism is that some of the typography is a little crazy in section spreads and chapter intro pages. I think a bit more restraint could have been used for these to make them more functional in nature while still interesting. But it is a minor thing.
   
   Forget the title. It is simply a very useful book. I wish I had found it in 2005 when it was first published or at least in 2007 for the paperback.

5 comments about Picture This: How Pictures Work.

1. If you want to really understand, get this book. It is a pearl! Every photographer should have this in her/his bookshelf!



2. This is a very simple book. It consists of cutouts of construction paper. Each page looks like a small project for Kindergarten through second grade. However, I loved it. I am currently spending a lot of time thinking about composition and emotion in photographs. This book helped me clarify and elucidate some key concepts. Neither my wife or daughter thought much of it, though. If your expectations are right ... then enjoy. Think of this as a yoga session with a new teacher.



3. This book should never have been allowed to go out of print! It is indispensable for developing a visual sense for telling a story. Theatre & film directors can use it constantly. For students, it can teach one how to think and construct in abstract terms in order to illicit an emotional response from the viewer.



4. I am a little bit amazed what professional photographer such as Thom Hogan has found in this book. Yes, it is very pleasant and quick read. Yes, it does give you some valuable tips about shape and color in composition and what psychological effect it has on a viewer. Yes it might be useful book for beginners in photography, but professionals?
   The author seems to be very knowledgeable about the subject, but when you discard the pictures in the book, you get about 20 pages to read. Since, this book has become so popular, I think the second edition is a must.



5. Before you even THINK about ordering this book for $190 do some research. The list price for the hardcover original is $19. Granted, it is out of print and unavailable, but $190? A brief search on the net will provide you with plenty of purchasing options for far less than what sellers are asking here.

5 comments about Graphic Design Solutions, Third Edition.

1. This is a great book for those who are new to graphic design as well as those who have been familiar with the concept and studying it, but want to get an overview of the field and it's practices in more organized and detailed way. The book is organized in three major parts of fundamentals, applications and at last careers. Each part then its divided to chapters that talk in length about different concepts. There are a ton of pictures and examples in the book which are all up-to-date.



2. This book was so helpful in my Graphic Design class. It was very informative and easy to use.



3. This is the first time I have even thought of ordering my Sons college books on line. Typical busy parent I ordered the books at the book store on campus and picked them up. After seeing the exact same book on Amaaon for $50.00 less I was very happy.
   I ordered the book and it arrived in quick time and in perfect condition. Days of throwing cash away are gone. Amazon Thank You!



4. It was my first time ordering a book from amazon.com and I am pretty sure now that it was not the last time.



5. I received my book in gret condition. Also I received it in a few days.

5 comments about Making Comics: Storytelling Secrets of Comics, Manga and Graphic Novels.

1. I found this book both helpful and fascinating as it shows the secrets to making comics stand out. I am considering being a comic book writer/artist (although the video game field is first priority for me), so this book can prove useful. Of course, I feel this book can be useful in other ways...



2. I love this book.The illustrations are great and the information and instructions are valuable.It's fun to read and look at the cartoons.



3. I'll keep it short and sweet...With Making Comics, Scott McCloud gives a quick overview of the large points of his seminal 'Understanding Comics' and then proceeds to teach the reader the language of comics. If you're here looking for a book to teach you the craft of making a comic, do it. Commit. This is your book.



4. If you are an aspiring comic book creator/writer/artist, this book is for you, it gives you the broad technical overview of comic book making that is just not available in most art books nowadays, including the DC Comics books on comic book writing (to be fair the DC comics series does have all the material it's just spread out over several different books and not nearly as well organized nor as concisely communicated). Making Comic Books is a fun read and is a worthy companion to its predecessor, Understanding Comics. Buy this book, and if you haven't bought Understanding Comics, buy that too, and read them in order (not that you have to, but you'll just enjoy it more that way).



5. this teaches you everything you need to know, from paneling, to creating believeable characters, to perspictive, and covers everything pretty much...

5 comments about Design Basics Index (Index Series).

1. I ordered this book for a class. Since school began we've only had one assignment from the book so I really can't rate this book fairly from a technical point of view. I did consider using the book as a reference and the book does an workmanlike job on fleshing out some of the concepts, however, it did not fit with my concept of a resource book. In completing the assignment, the material could have been presented in an more engaging format. I am past my prime as regard being a student and perhaps this is how stuff works now-a-days. I'll reserve my opinion as neutral until I have more class time/resource check time to investigate it. Stay tuned!



2. I found this book to be outstanding!
   
   Whilest most design books go into design trends, Jim Krause goes into details about design fundamentals that are essential not only for begining designers, but more advanced designers as well. Also, the book is layed out in such a way that it is not subject to time. This book will still be a good read even ten years down the road.
   
   If you're interested in getting into design, this book is an absolute must-have.



3. This is the best design book I've ever read. Has great info and gets right to the point. Also nice just to have for easy reference!



4. This book may be fantastic, but I have no idea as the width of the book is too small to properly open the book. Why would a designer approve this book size, makes me question how good he can be. I wished I had saved my money as it is too frustrating to battle out holding the book open to read.



5. This book was mis-listed for one of my classes, but after buying it, I found myself taking it everywhere with me and reading it anytime I had spare time. Every time you look through it, you learn something new. As most artistic people are, I'm very visual, and all the examples really enhance the book and help to cement the ideas and rules. Very colorful, helpful and ultimately FUN TO READ! I love this book and recommend it!!

5 comments about Stop Stealing Sheep & Find Out How Type Works (2nd Edition).

1. This book is a fundamental knowledge for all designers. The content describe in a very understandable and memorable way. Good book, a must reading.



2. As other reviewers have said, this book is WAY too basic.
   
   Once the authors say that you should pick the right typeface for the job, they run out of things to say. There's pictures of shoes from the 15th century to the present, photos of a woman pulling faces, pictures proving (proving!) that type styles have changed since the 15th century (boy, what a shock, eh?) and heaps of other irrelevancies.
   
   I find the book pleasant to look at but, as textbooks go, it's a real waste of money.



3. This book is required reading by my professor. It's one of the easiest books to read and understand. Because it is designed by a graphic artist and type developer, I would assume that this book would communicate ideas and information easily (which it does).
   
   Created for a European audience, the book has smaller sized text and a column of red footnotes on most, if not all pages. This could distract, annoy or put off many who are not used to smaller sized fonts in a book.
   
   Overall, I enjoy looking through this well designed, informative book and would definitely keep it for reference in the future.



4. Anyone interested in the use of type and the impact on visual communications will enjoy reading this book. Easy to read and follow with excellent analogies to help the reader understand the why and hows of typography.
   
   While it was written in 1992, the information is still insightful tracing how the look of typefaces evolved from several sources: from handwriting, from etchings, and the printing press.
   
   I've been designing with and studying type for thirty years and found the book interesting and informative.
   
   Appears to have been sponsored by Adobe, Inc., but that didn't affect the content or presentation.



5. this is a nice introductory book about typography; I've read quite a few, and this has very visual explanations of some concepts and ideas like . Recommended.

5 comments about The Non-Designer's Design and Type Books, Deluxe Edition.

1. This book is pretty good stuff to know typography and it has also good condition.



2. This book is actually two books in one.
   The first book (Non-Designer's design book) opens your eyes for good design. I just read it once while watching TV and the next day intuitively started applying what I had browsed. It affects the way you structure Emails, Word documents, ... Basically everything.
   
   I was not happy with our website and all off the sudden could actually put in words what I didn't like about it. I could write a design guideline and ask web designers for quotes. I even started re-designing our companies trade show booth with over double the impact (enquiries, sales,...) as result.
   
   If you are a small business owner or have to deal with anything design this is a great starting point.
   
   I included research in my headline because I worked in research for a long time and know how crucial the reports, presentations and publications are for the career. I wish I would have had this book at that time.
   
   The second book (type) got a bit dry and detailed for me but opened my eyes for effects of fonts. Needless to say that I changed my standard fonts in Word straight away.
   
   Cheers,
   Edward



3. The Non-Designer's Design and Type Book, Deluxe Edition (Paperback)
   
   Robin Williams is the queen of Macintosh design and her new book is it's Bible. The book is exactly as described: a design book for those people not trained as designers. The book is actually divided into two sections, design and typography.
   
   The design book goes over the basic principles of how to design using a few basic concepts most anyone can learn such as white space, proximity, layout, and contrast. She gives copious amounts of real world examples to help lay people give a bit of "oomph" to such things as newsletters, business cards, and stationary. For someone trying to go out on their own, this book is an invaluable aid in basic design work while saving money to get a true expert on board. The book is a very quick read, but it's a good book to keep around whenever you do design work.
   
   The typography portion was a bit over my head. It's all about fonts, typefaces and so forth. She clearly tries to made the topic accessible, but I found the content difficult to understand as someone not in the design field. The typography portion of the book can be used as a reference guide when deciding which font would work in specific situations.
   
   This book is perfect for the small business owner or the group secretary who suddenly gets called on to create a newsletter or a basic identity for print.
   
   Pros: Accessible and understandable principles of basic design made understandable to everyone
   Cons: Font portions a bit over the novice's head
   
   Four out of Five Dogcows



4. I actually bought this book before for school & for some reason decided to sell it after the course was done. Now I have bought it again because I decided that I wanted this book in my collection. There are lots of examples and quality images in the book so you can see what the writer is talking about. It gives you great font ideas & advice on how to create effective flyers, invitations, layouts, etc. Now I use it as a reference guide whenever I am creating something that needs to stand out or look special.



5. If you don't know nothing o know a little about design, but, the most important, you care about how your work should be presented, this is a great guide to learn the basics and the rules for design.

5 comments about Color by Betty Edwards: A Course in Mastering the Art of Mixing Colors.

1. A great book on color. I am not a person that likes to read a lot
   but the book was very educational.I read it daily until finished!
   and that saids a lot for the book.I recommend for cake decorators
   and people that love the beauty of flower arranging. Understanding
   color is KEY. I Loved it. But I must say sometimes I felt like I
   was in a colledge book. But very,very,educational.



2. I thought it ironic that the author who's claim to fame is from a book about drawing totally ignored in this book people who do nothing but draw (with colored pencils). There was no work around or options for anyone who does not own or have any interest in owning a brush.



3. I am an artist. This book is extremely helpful to learn all about color, an important part of painting . I highly recomend it.



4. While this book covers basic color theory adequately, all the exercises are designed for acrylic painting. There was no information in the description of the book to indicate that ONLY acrylics were being used for the exercises. If there was and I missed it, it wasn't stated clearly enough. As a watercolorist working to master color mixing (not a beginner, however) I must alert people interested in watercolors that this will not be the best book for you. Color theory is based on certain rules true for all painters; however, when you start mixing colors, there's a big difference between acrylics and watercolors. In the end, this book wasn't of much use to me. I'll donate to library.



5. After many years of painting, Betty Edwards's book on color has finally made me a lot more confident in knowing what I'm doing when I use color. She has broken a complex subject into great little lessons that are challenging but attainable. I think she is a great author.

5 comments about Graphic Design: A New History.

1. I find the textbook I need for my class, it cost $41.30, it says the order has been placed and should be shipped out within the next day. Later in the day, more like night, I get an email saying the order from book_holders (the seller of the book) has been canceled and that I have not been charged for it. Well that maybe the case, but that money is still tied up in the bank by Amazon, they say that cause I placed the order, the funds will sit there until they are released, so now I have to wait until the funds get released to go buy the book elsewhere, I should of just bought from the campus bookstore and not had to put up with this, now my class is close to starting and I don't have the book nor the money to buy the book, I think this is the last time I will use Amazon now.



2. This book is nicely set up very easy to read and quite informative. It is also a great value!!



3. I love design and I love this book! It is way more updated and comprehensive in its approach than others that I have read. Plus, it is an easy read that's never dull.



4. Got this book for a Graphic Design history class, wasn't too excited about the thickness of the book, but it's not that bad. It has a bunch of pictures to show you what he's talking about. This book has taught me soo much, my work has greatly improved and I know where to cite references, so I sound smarter. Goes into a more than just the work, but what's going on in the world at the time and why it's affecting it. The book jumps around at times when certain movements overlap, but overall I think it's a great book, and well worth the money, and when your done with it it'll make a nice coffee table piece.



5. This is the text book for my History of Graphic Design course...the pictures are great and the text is easy to follow, interesting to read. I've enjoyed it so far.

5 comments about Print & Stamp Lab: 52 Ideas for Handmade, Upcycled Print Tools (Lab Series).

1. This book is so fun. It is full of great ideas and all using items you probably already have or can at least get your hands on very easily. I've already completed 6 different tools and that's a record for me considering I usually buy the books, love them, but don't follow up on them. Traci Bunkers is so creative!



2. I am an art and craft book junkie. I scour the bookstores and websites looking for books to inspire me and help me create. I can without doubt say this in the BEST book in my library. The ideas are simple, do-able and extremely resourceful. The items you need are probably in your house or just around the corner. Imagine creating with ease seriously beautiful stamped images with humble everyday stuff. Then imagine your kids turning away from their video games to join in on the fun! I am absolutely enthralled with this book and very excited about the potential for me to grow and take my new found skills to the next level! It is all here. Don't hesitate to purchase!



3. The author has a plethora of ideas for creating your own surface design tools- stamps, stencils, and my favorite, roller stamps. She uses items that are thrown out or easily found at the dollar store. Lots of visuals so you can see how her ideas look on paper using both stamp pads and paint. Her ideas are also very applicable to fiber art, which is what I do. If you create on paper or fabric, and want your designs to have your individual 'mark' on them, this book should get your creative juices going. Best of all, trying them out won't put a big dent in your pocketbook.



4. "One of my superpowers is that I can turn just about anything into an interesting stamp, printing block, or tool," writes Traci Bunkers, author of this thoroughly enjoyable and highly creative how-to manual that lays out cool printmaking projects for every week in the year. Each project comes with clear instructions, detailed materials lists, well photographed examples, and expert tips. Perhaps the most important thing that Traci brings to this book is a spirit of adventure, an artistic license that offers the reader permission to have fun and get funky with colors, textures, and patterns.
   
   As an experienced printmaker, I was a bit skeptical whether this book was right for me, but I find Traci's projects engaging, her instructions clear and precise, and there's a little something on every page to inspire me to kick it up a notch and have some fun. She offers practical tips about foraging for materials in every unlikely "art supply" store you can imagine --from Home Depot to the Dollar Store-- and provides excellent suggestions for upcycling tired, old items into beloved art pieces.



5. I have bought a fair number of how-to books on the topics of mixed media and paper art, and I have to say that this is one that I will be using on a regular basis. The ideas are simple enough to implement in minimum time and with everyday materials (mostly), but lend themselves to endless invention and creative twists.
   
   This is not a book about how to make complicated, single-purpose artistic inventions, nor does it focus on a printed gallery of artwork. Instead you can think of Print and Stamp Lab as a manual, one that you can grab from the shelf to be creating awesome layers in your artwork in no time flat.