1 comments about Signage Systems and Information Graphics.

1. This is a great book on signage systems and information graphics for environmental designers and graphic designers. It's full of great inspirations. If you're looking for a book to spark your ideas, this is the book to have.

5 comments about Manolo Blahnik Drawings.

1. Beautiful book! Truly inspiring (and addictive!) for any shoe addict. Love, love, love it!!



2. I was so inspired by this book, I'm a shoe designer so I totally love this book. The sketches, the colors, it's just awsome! definitely worth buying!!!!!



3. The drawings in this book are amazing. I think the book would be better with photographs of the finished shoe next to each drawing. Also, the about Manolo section is too small, it could have given a longer biography.



4. Maybe I am biased because I personally love the designer, however I think this book was a great idea and very charitable of Mr. Blahnik. He gives us a look into the process which he has artfully perfected



5. For anyone with a shoe fetish or a passion for fashion this book is worth it. Splashy colors, great text. I read half of Wintour's foreward and bought the book without flipping through the rest. BUY BUY BUY!!!!

4 comments about Logo.

1. This is a great reference. Most of the designs are in black and white, which does emphasize the form. As designers, it's important for us to understand that shape might be the most distinctive aspect of a logo. This book includes backgrounds and cites the designer for nearly every of the 1300 logos featured.



2. This is a nicely conceived book but has a few problems. None of which stopped me from buying it!
   The design and typography used to differentiate sections of the book (groups and categories in the book or classifications of types of symbols, logotypes, signatures, etc.) is difficult to use. If the actual type and design to differentiate these sections had been more clearly done, the book would have been much more useful and leveraged one of its greatest assets. (So, whoever designed the book made that mistake!)
   The last section of the book is on multiple solutions used for one identity. This is in contrast to most identity design which uses only one logo or symbol (Apple, Nike, 99% of the book).
   This multiple identity solution (sorry, the author calls it something else but I don't have the book with me at home while I write this) is a trend that is emerging slowly over the past 10-15 years. But the coverage in this book is very thin. There are a number of other examples of this method which are not included. I wish there was more on this.
   One thing I would like to have seen more of is deeper historical context of identities. More text on, about, why, and who of each or most of the designs. Right now, it is just a picture collection.
   Not so much a flaw but something to consider - This book has the greats. Old and newer and very new. But it also has some real silly stinker examples. You wonder, why is that logo in here? For example: the ugly reworking of the UPS logotype shield. Why include this? (and I am not a fan of Paul Rands original although, it would have been far better to included for historical impact purposes)
   Indeed, this is the bible and shows the good, the bad, and the ugly but all on a level playing field.



3. I can't possibly explain the scope of the book briefly; therefore, I will explain some of the benefits, challenges and basic layout of Logo. First of all, the book covers over 1,300 different corporate brand marks currently in use around the world and categorises them by a similar characteristic shared by each logo such as a chapter featuring handwritten typefaces, a chapter on square logos, 3D logos, etc. The book is mostly in black and white with the use of colour being used sparingly, which is unfortunate as colour is an important element of some of these logos, if not the most important. Seeing the Pepsi logo in greyscale, without seeing how it uses its red and blue gradients, is disappointing.
   However, the book is satisfying by the sheer quantity of logos being printed and is a rich source for inspiration and reference. The editors reference every logo, so you know the year and the designer and most references include a little spiel about how a logo came to be, why it was accepted and why it works. A must have for graphic designers just because of its convenience.



4. As a design student, I have been looking for a book that has collection of logo to reference and analyze. This book is a great reference to see logos that are substantial and corporate. It contains logos that are well known to small. Also, most of all the logos are in black and white which I find it better to understand the form.

4 comments about Web Design Index by Content 3 (Web Design Index).

1. I agree with the reviewer who said most the content categories run a little thin. Each page is dedicated to one site with two screen captures from that site on the page. The largest section in this book by far is "design and illustration" which seems to focus on portfolio sites and comes in at 200 pages of examples. No other section has more than 40 pages and most have under 20. There are a ton of international sites in this book and not a single "major" web site. Which is good because that means the majority of the content in this book should be new to most readers. There is also very little text; there is no discussion of the designs, just large colorful screen captures and then credits at the bottom for the designer/agency and a url.
   
   If you need inspiration for edgy or artistic sites, then this is a good resource. If you're looking for more corporate site design, you won't find much of that in here. Personally all my design falls in the later, but I do think this will be a good resource for when I decide to revamp my portfolio site or if I want to experiment with more non-standard design. Since all my work is corporate, I find the more whimsical and creative side of my brain has shut down a bit. And it did have a good selection of sites with a black/dark color scheme which is nice; that style tends to be a challenge for me so having this many examples is handy.
   
   I gave this 3 stars instead of 4 because I would have liked to see a more balanced representation of web design styles.



2. I found this book in my local bookstore, cased in shrinkwrap, and debated whether to risk buying it without seeing the contents first. In the end, I took a chance and am glad that I did. As a beginning designer, I found several designs that gave me some ideas for my own site. Ironically, the biggest section in this book is devoted to graphic designers.
   
   Web Design Index by Content 3 covers a wide spectrum of industries. However, I felt that the majority of the industry sections ran a little on the thin side. That said, the publisher of this book (Pepin Press) accepts submissions and recommendations at [...].



3. As a professional within the area, this is a terrific book, since it provides an insight to what is currently being done, all over the globe. The author doesn't just focus in one particular country, the focus is worldwide and strongly reflects what is done in web design these days. Highly recommended.



4. This is my second Web Index Book from this publisher and they have been great books for inspiration in my freelance work. Filled with great websites and large images to really see the detail and craftsmanship of each website. One cool thing was when I ordered this book and chose 3-5 day shipping I actually got it within 2 days which was a nice surprise. If you only need to get inspired this book is for you.

5 comments about Editing by Design: For Designers, Art Directors, and Editors--the Classic Guide to Winning Readers.

1. I like the book, but the hand drawn illustrations get a bit old about half way into the book. Great info though that I haven't seen in other books. Will be on my reference shelf for possible layout designs and tidbits of info. I would buy it again.



2. I use this book to teach my first year graphic design students. It has some excellent and simple illustrations. The layout of the book is very friendly and easy to follow.



3. First of all, if "Conflicted" found the book difficult to follow, so be it. Mileage varies from person to person. And I will agree, the cover is a disappointment.
   
   However, the part you couldn't read was a design element, not intended as text to be read; the **title** is printed in clear letters at the top of the cover. Second, this book is intended for beginners and - since we supposedly learn 90% of everything we *ever* learn by example - it tries to teach as much by example as by assertion. Hence, the informal style and wonderful profusion of examples. White **shows** as well as tells on almost every two-page spread - that's one of the major strengths of the book, in my opinion. Instead of distracting the reader by content-specific illustrations, he chose **very carefully** hand-drawn illustrations - and, by the way, mostly black and white to keep the book affordable. And for all that concrete terminology you couldn't find - try the Glossary that begins on p. 241.
   
   As I said, your mileage may vary. But to me, this book presents the basic concepts of page and type design for the beginner in a way that really worked for me. 30 years later, I still value it!



4. I have probably never learned more about any subject than I have with this book. Being the eternal student, I can be critical if a book doesn't teach me anything new, or pads itself out with extraneous rot. This book does neither of these things. It is concise, incredibly comprehensive, clear, honest and delivers much much MUCH. How I would love to get inside this man's brain and/or have him partner my business! The attention to detail and range of example is exhilarating. An exemplary work that could very well have delivered the bones of my entrepreneurial idea, or at the very least, given me the vim and knowledge to execute it. Thank you, Mr White.



5. The Good:
   The book contains an abundance of illustrations which can be very helpful. The author uses the text of the book itself as bad examples of design.
   The Bad:
   As a newbie to publication design, I approached this book as a student. I probably would have never even opened the cover of it if it weren't required for a class. The design of the cover (and most of the book) is horrible. I can't read the title and it does nothing to attract me visually. The illustrations are so sloppy they are unprofessional. Although sketches in real life should be messy, the sketches in the book should at least be interpretable. The author never uses any concrete terminology, so it is difficult categorize information as you absorb it.

3 comments about Cuba Style: Graphics from the Golden Age of Design.

1. Like anything by Steven Heller, there's tons of amazing imagery in this book. Great for the price! Fun & exotic!



2. I haven't finished it and I can say that this book is a "must have", this images are worth not a thousand words but a million words (any Cuban could give you a million words speech in a matter of five minutes), this book is going to solve me just that, whenever somebody would ask me questions about Cuba before Castro, all I have to do is show them this book. This book will show you exactly what Graphics and Arts, in general, were before Castro, not the political propaganda that it became after the revolution-take as an example the image of Murder, Che Guevara, shown all over Cuba promising you "Victory"-. For some, this book will bring back memories and nostalgia, for others like me, born and raised during the communist period, a confirmation that things were a lot better, not perfect, not the paradise they proclaimed it was, simply the place to be, it was for most Cubans the place to be born Cuban and die Cuban.



3. Ahhh, nostalgia. Nothing but that. Excellent, outstanding...

5 comments about Hell Beasts: How to Draw Grotesque Fantasy Creatures.

1. "Hell Beasts" by Jim Pavelec represents a book filled not only with original and entertaining illustrations, but with information on many mythological creatures, some not so well known. I enjoy reading about these creatures, and will use the book as resource for my own artwork.



2. Mr. Pavelec's book is an excellent resource for anyone in (or interested in) the fantasy art niche (though, the lessons is just as valid for any type of art, I believe). Though the book is loaded with all sorts of tips about making convincing and interesting creatures, I'd say the underlying focus is on the composition of a figure. Jim displays in many examples how to focus on the primary action or energy of a pose, even if the pose isn't inherently dynamic. The viewer gets to see many paintings evolve from thumbnail sketch to a completed illustration, along with a side commentary about why he makes his choices.
   
   When I was starting out, I would have begged. borrowed or stolen to get my grubby paws on this book. Even as a reasonably seasoned professional, there are still a number of pearls residing between the covers.



3. HELL BEASTS: HOW TO DRAW GROTESQUE FANTASY CREATURES is for any would-be comic or graphic novel artist: it tells how to create and draw monsters, how to make selected monsters even creepier, and how to draw upon imagination to create new monsters. It's a pick not just for graphic novel and comics collections, but for any general-interest lending library reaching out to young would-be artists.



4. This is an extremely well illustrated, and well put together manual on how to draw hellish fanasty creatures. Jim Pavelec's representations of abstract and chaotic beings such as the Demogorgon, Leviathan, and Basilisk (to name a few) are quite phenomenal. His creations are not typical of the common how to draw monsters, dragons, etc.-type books. His hell beasts are one-of-a-kind, carefully crafted works of art. It is very reminiscent of Frazetta. One feature that I especially love about this book is the mythology behind each creature. Jim pulls many of his beasts from Japanese folklore, European folklore, and Greek and Roman mythology, and provides detailed descriptions of their origins. Jim Pavelec is definately a master of his art. I highly recommend this book!



5. I'm not much for the entire fantasy genre and neither do I have the imagination for such macabre concepts. With that being said, let me continue and make you understand why I am writing a review, and a positive one at that!
   
   Jim Pavelec is an amazing artist. I've read instructional art guides before and I never really got much out of them. Out of this one, I received way more than I bargained for! He covers the basics and the tools that you'll need to do what he's about to cover. At the end of the book, he says that he has many inspirations and that it is okay to use that inspiration from other artists to create something of your own. In finding your niche, you can go through many. That may or may not make sense, but it did me a hell of good! I never knew these monsters had names!
   
   It was 18 bucks well spent, thank you very much. It made me want to become an illustrator and offer services to paint nasty aquatic on bathroom walls. I could write another page on how happy I am that I bought this book and the nightmares that Mr. Pavelec's creations dwell in, but I have walls to paint.

5 comments about Graphic Style: From Victorian to Digital.

1. I ordered this book for a graphic design class. It opened my eyes to the history of graphic design.



2. I'm using this book as a college text.. I believe that I have a rather high reading level, but at times this book can be difficult to keep along with. Nonetheless, there is certainly a wealth of information here! Pages and pages of relevant artwork and explanations, along with the key people within each movement covered.



3. Looking at the last updated edition to Graphic Style and that was in 2000 and the one before that was 1988 . . . it is about time for a new installment to this never-ending story.



4. The book was an enjoyable read accompanied by many images. I would recommend this for anyone who is in a graphic design history class.



5. This book is an excellent primer on the most important graphic fashions and styles of the 20th Century. Half the book's illustrations are black and white, but that does not take away from its overall value to students and professionals.

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.

5 comments about Looking Good in Print.

1. Once you've covered first base with the "Non-Designers Design Book" you are well equipped to start reading this book. Since this book also covers the basics (though not as well I find), you could also decide to skip ahead and go directly to second base.
   
   Here you'll also learn about managing grid systems, white space management, basic text composition and the effective use of fonts and illustration. The last sections of the book applies your new found knowledge to the design of various types of documents. Finally, in the last section is a hoge-poge of trap to avoid (the counter examples if you like).
   
   A book well worth the money (all books are cheap compared to IT books ;-)



2. Are you discovering the challenges of desktop publishing? If you are, then this book is for you! Author Roger C Parker, has done an outstanding job of writing the sixth edition of a book that has been in print for 16 years, which is for those who want to make the most of their publishing investment.
   
   Parker, begins by exploring the organizational tools you'll use in creating your published projects. Then, the author discusses in some detail the rules you must follow when selecting and arranging type. Next, the author explores the graphic page elements that are used in conjunction with type, to highlight and enhance the printed word. The author then shows you how to choose graphic elements and position them on the page for maximum effect. He continues by focusing on the techniques of designing a range of documents from newsletters to business communications to coupons. Then, the author discusses planning and design techniques that are important for any larger project. He then lists and illustrates the most common errors that sabotage otherwise effective designs. Finally, the author takes a look at some sample documents that are riddled with errors, while others are teetering on the brink of success; and, shows you how they can be improved, through the application of basic design concepts and a smattering of common sense.
   
   This most excellent book has grown over the years to become the "Bible" for many students and publishers. More importantly, the best part of this book is that it will encourage you to learn while practicing your craft.



3. If you do anything with print or web media (aka desktop publishing), you probably know how easy it is to make mistakes and produce amateurish results. Looking Good in Print (6th Edition) by Roger C. Parker gives you the background and practical advice you need to start, well... looking good in print.
   
   Contents:
   Part 1 - Elements Of Design: Getting Started; Tools of Organization; The Architecture of Type; Building Blocks of Graphic Design; The Art of Illustration; Working with Photographs
   Part 2 - Putting Your Knowledge To Work: Publications; Advertisements; Sales Material; Business Communication; Response Devices - Forms, Surveys, and Coupons; Designing Large Documents and Publications; Common Pitfalls; Redesign; Designing Documents for Web Distribution
   Appendix; Prepress Tips and Techniques
   Index
   
   Any book that makes it past the 2nd edition is one I usually figure has stood the test of time, and must have something to offer. This book definitely fulfills that. It starts off with the basics of fonts, lines, alignment, and all those things that you probably just take for granted. There's a real science behind it, and Parker does a good job of clearly explaining it. But rather than just dealing in generalities and theory, he applies the knowledge to real areas of writing. Part 2 is valuable both for the explanation of how things should be done, as well as visual examples of how things go wrong. Unless you can see "what's not right", it's often hard to know why something would be considered a good practice. There's an abundance of example layouts and samples to illustrate his points, and you'd be hard pressed to find this much quality information in a single source anywhere else.
   
   This will be a book I'll keep close at hand when I do my writing assignments. I'm normally more focused on content rather than form, but knowing what an editor might do to your work (both good *and* bad) can help you make sure that you come out looking polished, and that your content doesn't get lost in the layout.



4. 'Looking Good in Print' by Roger Parker is an absolute must have for anyone working with print media and how it travels from the production house to the reader/end-user. Now in its 6th Edition, this guide provides essential advice, tips, and tricks from someone in the know who has been working with said topic for over a decade and a half.
   
   Discussion in this book revolves around layouts, design, working with images, text, and how to output content itself in the wisest and slickest way possible.
   
   For anyone that works with the design of laying out information in Print form (live or online), this book is an absolute best buy!!
   
   ***** HIGHLY RECOMMENDED



5. The sixth updated edition of Roger C. Parker's LOOKING GOOD IN PRINT tops fifteen years in print with another edition addressing the latest potentials of desktop design. From creating professional-quality letterhead and business cards to learning how to print Internet documents, advice for desktop publishers assume no special program or experience but survey different design pitfalls, how to work with large documents, and how to create designs which 'wow'. Design tips apply to either PC or MAC users alike and are packed with techniques and tips that avoid the common pitfalls.