No comments about Art and Sole.

5 comments about The Tokyo Look Book: Stylish To Spectacular, Goth To Gyaru, Sidewalk To Catwalk.

1. I'm not someone that's into fashion too much on a personal level. I have my own style, but I don't particularly care to spend all of my money on clothes and a particular look, but I can appreciate why people do and find it interesting on a certain level. Judging from what I've seen on television and in movies, etc. the love affair with fashion is taken to an entire other level in Tokyo.
   
   The detailed descriptions of the fashion "dos and don'ts" of particular subcultures was interesting and infinitely more intricate than anything I could've possibly imagined. I figure if I found it interesting and I'm not even particularly interested in the subject, then I imagine this is a treasure trove for the folks that live for fashion. The text is certainly interesting, but it can be enjoyed even as a coffe table/picture book type of things as well. I've always wanted to go to Japan and it's made me want to factor in an entire day just to people watch in some of the fashionable neighborhoods of Tokyo. If a book can make you want to explore something further that you never had a great interest in then the author and photographer have done a good job.



2. As a total Japanophile, I really loved this book! The pictures are beautiful and its just a perfect example of why I love those Tokyo Fashionistas. Unlike North America, where we are slaves to what we think other people want to wear and try to "fit in", a lot of the young Japanese people on the streets where what they want and have no qualms about standing out and looking unique!
   
   The book shows and describes the different looks, and often which district the look is from or originated. The text is mostly narrative, but I would've preferred some more informational style text. Such as a list of what elements compose each style and/or how to recreate the look for yourself.



3. My current ringtone on my celly is a short clip of "Harajuku Girls" by Gwen Stefani - it's been on phone for over a year now. As someone who has spent a formidable amount of my life in Japan, I covet and collect anything remotely "cute" from or even inspired by Japan, ringtones included. So it's no wonder that I love this book. Published by Japan-based Kodansha International, The Tokyo Look Book (2007) is a motley collection of photographs and interviews of Japanese fashionistas and fashion designers. "Motley" is probably a huge understatement, given what Philomena Keet (the author/editor) calls the "fashion spectrum" that exists in Tokyo. The photographs of Japanese guys and gals make me smile knowing that those pictured often follow their own drum beats. Even in the most outrageous and incongruous outfits, the Japanese youth wear their clothes with confidence or paint their faces with layers of make-up without second-guessing why they do it. If anyone has ever wondered who these "Harajuku Girls" are that Gwen Stefani sings about, pick up a copy of this book. They are fantastic!



4. i love japanese street style! this book gives so many different pictures of fashionable people on the streets of tokyo. it gives a little bit of background information about the culture and background, but if you want to get a more in-depth background and information on japanese styles and and designers and shops, i recommend Style Deficit Disorder by Tiffany Godoy.



5. Since I'm an author, and my novels often feature both Asian Americans and Asians who have moved to the US from overseas, I was very interested in this book as a research tool. I was not disappointed.
   
   This book is rich with pictures showing the different fashion styles prevalent in Tokyo. For someone who only visited Tokyo a couple times with family (and who didn't meet anyone my age), this was an eye-opener.
   
   I like the fact that there are often several photos showing examples of each particular style, rather than just one photo to show each style. It helped me get a better feel for the trends of the "look" rather than just one person's ensemble.
   
   The book shows the entire breadth of styles, from conservative to garish. I liked the hair and makeup showcased on the people photographed, as well.
   
   The fact that the people were all from off the street gave the book an air of greater credibility, since they didn't arrange a photo shoot with models. I felt like I was getting a slice of Tokyo life and culture.
   
   For me, this was an excellent research tool.

2 comments about Deconstructing the Elements with 3ds Max, Third Edition: Create natural fire, earth, air and water without plug-ins (Autodesk Media and Entertainment Techniques).

1. First off the book is great, and Pete Draper comes through again with many great tutorials. You will learn much from the book itself once you are able to download some of the files. Once the web issues are fixed, this book should be second to none.
   
   I was tempted to give four stars because of the support media, which must be downloaded from a website(which still doesn't work properly as of today(Jan.5th 2009)). But the book deserves a high rating and should not be based on actions of the publisher. Pete has made mention that he is frustrated with the website, and I do not blame him for this.
   
   I cannot download all the files and the larger ones 441MB quit about one third to half way through. Also the video tutorials on the site play for 3-5 seconds, then something happens to the audio(slow streaming?). The video tutorials are long I often could not sit through an entire tutorial, and had to watch them in pieces, which is no longer an option on the web site as I don't see how I can get to the same spot a day later. And many of the tutorials are not available online yet.
   
   I believe the DVD was a much better distribution format and hope they will go back to that.(PLEASE!!!)



2. Good book.
   
   Unfortunately, the advertised in the book link to the website with all files and video tutorials does not work.

5 comments about The Surface Designer's Handbook: Dyeing, Printing, Painting, and Creating Resists on Fabric.

1. Ms. Brackmann's years of experience as a working artist and teacher provide a bounty of tips for even the most seasoned surface designer. Clear, concise instruction for those trying a new technique. Insights from years of experimentation for those wishing to push boundaries in their own work. The wire bound handbook makes a great studio companion. The extensive photographs are informative and inspiring. Nice to see the work for lesser known but important northern California artists like Lolli Jacobsen included here. It's a great book.



2. Just could not imagine a more comprehensive handbook - I learned so much and developed a great appreciation for our fabric artists and a strong desire to try many of these techniques myself.



3. While this book is technically excellent, I found the majority of the visuals so-so leaving me wondering why to bother learning this!



4. I would like to say that this book posted to me to the correct address has never arrived and I cant find anywhere else to tell you this important fact. Lillian Smith



5. Others have already related the key points about this book. I just want to further confirm for everyone looking to buy it that this author really did an EXCELLENT job. She obviously is a art and TECHNICAL expert in this field. She could've taken less time and put out a book that would've gotten her a solid 4.5-star rating. Instead she obviously put in twice the time and ended up with a 10-star book. She gives you all the details that people serious about trying complicated crafts look for but rarely find without studying in the studio of a professional. I just picked this up from the NEW BOOKS rack at the library because I am generally interested in the subjected. Like the one person so far who has given her a lower rating, it did make me think that this is probably too difficult for me. But on the other hand, she has many photos showing the possibilities of what I might be able to accomplish if I did try and it's very seductive. Nothing very special worth accomplishing comes easily and that seems to also apply to fabric art. I also appreciate the thoughtfulness of her making the binding a spiral so the pages lay perfectly flat for easy reference while you follow the directions. If I decide to seriously try this craft, it will be this book that I buy and I doubt I'd even need to buy another one ever.

No comments about What I Wore Today: Fashion Remixed Online from Beijing to Berlin.

5 comments about Calligraphy Alphabets Made Easy.

1. I had this book years ago and lent it to someone who did not return it and just recently got another via Amazon. I was so happy it was still in print, I missed this book.
   This book is not for a beginner but don't despair the author has a beginner book that is excellent "Calligraphy Made Easy".
   If you are looking for the next step up from beginner this is the book to own.



2. I found the layout really confusing. Also if you are a beginner I would say this is not for you. It doesn't contain much "instruction." I would suggest "The Calligrapher's Bible" instead.



3. I'm trying to teach myself this beautiful art. This book is certainly not for the beginner. The concept of a new alphabet each week and weekly projects is a great one, however there isn't enough instruction on materials or form to make it very helpful to those of us new to this art. I'll keep it for reference but must continue my search for a great teaching tool.



4. I was given 3 books on Calligraphy, as a Christmas present from my daughter, and this book is at the bottom of the list.
   
   It does contain many different fonts, and the idea of having a practice lesson every week for a year is a novel idea indeed. However, I found this book disorganized, and try to do the lessons with one arm trying to hold the book flat.



5. This book is more complete than I expected and it is written in such a way that you are eager at trying your hand at the next alpahbet. Great for the person who already knows how to handle the pens.

4 comments about Garden Fairies Stained Glass Coloring Book (Dover Pictorial Archives).

1. This book is filled with wonderful fantasy pictures of fairies and flowers. The fact that they are stained glass pictures means that the pix are on a clear paper that can be displayed in a window once its colored, therefore producing the stained glass effect. When I purchased it, I didnt know that, but its really awesome! I have several of the stained glass books. I would recommend this book.



2. I bought this for my 9 yr. old daughter. I was very pleased with the pictures in this book. Great coloring book. Bonus: you can hang the finished pics in the window when you run out of room on the fridge.



3. These stained glass coloring books helped my daughter learn to color inside the lines! And they are great for any child who loves to use markers... rather than crayons or colored pencils. The pages pick up the marker color nicely and do not bleed onto the other side (as in traditonal coloring books). It was so much fun to tape them on our sliding glass door, and save them for a week or so. My daughter was extremely proud of her coloring and loved to see the pictures hanging up in our dining room. I really recommend the Garden Fairies Stained Glass Coloring Book as it is as much fun for Mom as for child!



4. The pictures have nice detail. Colored pencils work well with this paper. My fairy-loving daughter treasures it.

4 comments about The Complete Kake Comics (French and German Edition).

1. Seems to me, with due respect, that some people may complaint a bit too much. I have just bought a copy from a bookstore, where (and I was happily surprised by it) it was displayed on the new releases table without wrapping, as it should, for anyone to sample it. This is the intensely erotic and higly personal work of a fascinating artist, regardless of what selfrighteous and hypocritical bigots may still claim. I happen to like the size, it is big enough to appreciate this one-drawing-a-page series and, let's face it, Tom's artwork looks sharper and, in my opinion, better, a little bit reduced from its original size. The quality of the paper is first class and the not so little and thick book feels great on your hands and good enough to eat. The price is ridiculously cheap. So thanks Taschen!. Keep on the good work.



2. For openers, the material is well drawn and EXTREMELY exciting. This set of fantasies will set your fantasy engine on fire, and the printing is very nearly perfect with some breakup of electronically transmitted images seen as acute jaggies in the close-up pages. The paper is excellent; hi-clay art stock of sufficient weight to hold the large black areas without show-through.
   
   Why only three stars? Two MAJOR flaws:
   
   1) The book is too heavy and bulky to be held for easy (lustful) reading. The publisher would have done everyone a favor had each "Volume" been printed separately ( as in the originals) and then gathered into a single sleeve to show the "weight" of the publication. This may not bother collectors, but for those of us looking to resurrect years gone by, this volume is just too much for weakened old wrists.
   
   2) The title is "The Complete Kake Comics". The collection --- isn't! "Beachboys", and what others are missing?



3. He transforms a sexual inclination into a concrete visual image. Many of them together to express a cohesive whole. It is very erotic, and I think should be erotic for just about anyone... I'm biased. Compelling, inspired, and high quality work.



4. Wish it were in its original release size and not thick digest form.
   Otherwise a comprehensive collection of Tom's work.

5 comments about Fruits.

1. I got this book after seeing the live exhibition of the same name in Sydney years ago and I just adored it!
   Even if you don't like the particular styles shown in the book, it is just such a different and creative take on fashion!
   I find the styles inspirational, happy and fun!
   It is also interesting to see how the styles have morphed from different eras in history and from certain sub-cultures both native and foreign to Japan.
   After seeing this book, studying it and just absorbing it madly, I developed a hankering for all things lolita, and have been wearing the fasahion on and off for about 3 years now.



2. I used to see this book all the time at the nearby music store, and one day I received it as a gift. I'm not going to suggest that everyone should dress like the people in this book, but I will say that I loved how they were able to put together something different and interesting, completely unlike what I've seen here in the U.S. Even the most outrageous outfits I've seen at clubs in LA can't hold a candle to what's in this book. Very creative stuff here.



3. This is an interesting book. The author/photographer documents street fashion in the Harajuku district of Japan. Each page is a photo of an individual and a brief description of their outfit. If you are into this style of fashion, this is a book worth owning. The only short-coming is that the descriptions are printed in colored ink and sometimes get lost in the background color of the photographs.



4. My high school art class, Costume Design, LOVE this book. It's fun to see teenagers in another culture taking western fashion and personalizing it. Every time I pick up the book I see something new. We've only had the book a couple of weeks and it is already dog-eared.



5. Great book, made my girlfriend quite happy. She is very into Japanese street fashion and this book just captivated her, she looked through it about 20 times the day i gave it to her.

5 comments about Logology.

1. Lots of current logo directions. The book is beautifully organized and bound.
   Awesome find.



2. Okay this book is a treasure of informations!!
   
   Great ideas, great logos, great layout...
   everything is very very good in this book and even the book is gorgeous (the orange that sticks to your finger is not really cool but it is not that important, just be careful when reading it that's all)



3. This book is a must-have for graphic designers. Even the cover is inspirational. I'm dying to implement the soft hardcover with deboss on a future project. This is the real deal. You won't be disappointed.



4. First of all great looking book, a vinyl crackle embossed finish with matching orange printed page ends.
   The great thing about the opening section is a selection of case studies that is broken down into: The Assignment, Development, Solution, and Application with words and visuals. The remaining 2/3 is what you would expect a bible of great logo design. Some pages are devoted to a one designer as well, and some logos get more attention and are given a whole page of display. A bit like the Los Logo series but not as cramped full, a bit more room to breath. My mate took one flick through when I got it and ordered it, a very good book.



5. hello,
   
   I really would like to say something about that book but, I'm still waiting for it.