2 comments about SustainAble: A Handbook of Materials and Applications for Graphic Designers and Their Clients (Design Field Guide).

1. This book is a masterpiece in both design and content. It is timely and applicable to all designers, but especially those studying in a university and/or art school environment. Each spread is a gem as is the cover. All aspects of the book are visually intriguing and the book teaches visually about good design while the content combines the need for quality design to be integrated with environmental ethics. It is a must read for all designers, or those who hope to enlist in the field in the years ahead. I will be recommending it to all of my students.



2. very important book on a crucial topic. while this is a very worthwhile contribution to any library, it is essential reading for anyone in the field of design or advertising.

5 comments about From Word to Image: Storyboarding and the Filmmaking Process.

1. I used this book to help teach a class. It has more than enough for a semester class to absorb, and all of the information is relevant, real-world and useful



2. All of what this book says could have been said in 5 or 6 pages. There are a few basic concepts the book covers that are worthwhile, but I found it to be heavily padded and very basic. A much better book is Profores' Film Directing Fundamentals, which comes at storyboarding and other visualization tools from a director's viewpoint, rather than an illustrator's.



3. I found the book invaluable as it gives a great insight into the real world of storyboarding. I am a 3d previz artist trying to establish an economical previz solution to productions of smaller budgets.
   I believe the traditional storyboard artist and illustrators are an integral part of the process of previz, all my 3d previz begin with boards all sketches.
   
   I think this book is excellent for anyone wanting to tune their skills towards a professional storyboarding career.
   tony
   [...]



4. I found this book an excellent read and a great tool. I write screenplays, so my characters have specific duties. This book helps me determine what the camera shots should look like (without having to direct the director, which is a big no-no in screen writing).



5. Very informative and interested. The best book I have read on storyboarding. This book is a page turner with funny, real-life experienced stories at the end of each chapter. It explained clearly, in full detail how stoyboards are done and even got into perspective and technique. I learned a lot of important information that got me thinking about filmmaking on a whole new level. I have used what is detailed in this book for my short film. I highly recommend reading it before making a film or if you are going to be doing storyboards.

5 comments about Your Career in Animation: How to Survive and Thrive.

1. A fantastic book that gives you concrete areas on which to take action. Both practical and inspirational, this book will help you combat creative inertia. Just buy it...it's way more helpful than a few lattes or a movie ticket plus popcorn...



2. This is a definite keeper. The insights and insider tips, the personal stories and motivational powers of this little book are not to be underestimated. I'm about halfway through and just finished the chapter on "independent animation projects". It's like being reborn, knowing that others have gone through the dark tunnel and sweated their way through personal projects using every spare second they have.
   
   I would recommend this book to anyone needing a motivational boost or info on how to succeed in the animation industry. It's insightful and personal, the latter point being where most of its educational value perspires; especially when giving interview tips, how to play it safe in the workplace, not burning bridges, personalities, choosing which battles to fight and which to lose..
   
   I haven't read anything about samurai jack yet... which im kind of hoping is in the book. still... half of the book to go, so who knows.
   
   thumbs up



3. This is a wonderful book for the starting artist as it will show some incite on the life of an full/freelance employed artist. I state artist as the term animator seems to narrow the field of what and who this book really points at. Read the book make your own option.



4. As an Animator going to SVA in NY, David Levy was my professor. He recommended us to get the book for class. It totally gives you all the great advice and inside look in the animation/film industry, like how he would normally talk to us in class about it, but the book definitely adds more in detail. He is an awesome teacher, great in his field of work and a great author. If it weren't for him and this book, I wouldn't be so confident and in the know on getting a job in my field. Very inspiring and not at all a boring read. There's also advice from other working professionals in the industry in the book.



5. Just finished this book a few days ago, read at a leisurely yet studious pace. Wow! There are so many insightful observations presented in an anecdotal and conversational nature, as opposed to a thesis type structure. This will help me immensely as I segue career-wise into the animation field. Great illustrations throughout too. The author is that rare combination, a gentleman and a scholar. Your Career In Animation will cause you to have many imaginary lightbulbs (ideas) floating over your head in rapid succession. My only complaint is that this book does not come with a highlighter marker. All kidding aside...a great read. Highly reccomended!!!

No comments about Exploring Package Design (Design Exploration Series).

5 comments about Positively Crochet!: 50 Fashionable Projects and Inspirational Tips.

1. I ordered my book from Amazon and it came quicker then I had planned.
   I was so excited to get it I opened the pack right away and started looking through the book.. I am a long time crocheter and have many many crochet books but think this one will be one of my favorites for sure... I has great usable patterns, sometimes ya buy a book and there maybe only a few you will really use... Love the way the pages were laid out with the little hints and Words of Encouragement they really add personality and warmth to the book.. It was also very interesting to read about the Author Maryjane and the Life and Crochet article...by the end of the day I received my book I had got out some yarn I had and started one of the patterns!! Think I just might wear out this book... I would strongly suggest this book to those who crochet.. Have already told a few friends, relatives about it.



2. There are some great patterns and inspiring ideas, but I was disappointed because the majority of patterns are for scarves - many of which are meant as fashion statements and are not practical.



3. I recieved this book as a gift. I love it. There are 3 fantastic tops all on my "to make" list! There are several creative and fun accessories. Mary Jane Hall uses a wide variety of fibres, and still gives enough information for the crocheter to make substitutions as desired. I am an avid crocheter, and have been for many years. It is a thrill to see designs with excellent shaping and drape, classic, modest and fun patterns, all in one book. I highly recommend this book!



4. I bought this book hoping for a fun crochet book with a variety of patterns, and it met my hopes marvelously. The patterns are all cute. There is a lot of variety: sweaters, lacy tunics, shrugs, purses, scarves, and jewelry, just to name a few. Everything is hip and would dress up a pair of jeans nicely.
   
   One of the best things about this book is that the author gives ample information about the materials of each project, making yarn substitution very easy. She lists the name, yardage, and colors of the yarn she used, as well as the weight of the yarn. Every project has a gauge. In several projects she even gives specific suggestions or advice for a substitution. Most of the projects are knit up in inexpensive yarn. It is clear that she has given consideration to the affordability of her projects.
   
   Unfortunately, the only pattern I've tried (Chain of Flowers Scarf), I could not get the written instructions to match the picture. It was not hard for me to adjust the pattern and the scarf came out beautifully. However, such mistakes could give the novice crocheter a good bit of a headache. Hopefully, the rest of the book is better.
   
   I should mention a few things that this book /isn't/. This book /isn't/ a learn-to-crochet book. There is absolutely no instruction on how to crochet. However, the projects are fairly simple and (given that there aren't too many mistakes) would be an ideal for a beginner who knows the rudiments and wants to do something with them.
   
   This book also /isn't/ a beautiful, heirloom quality crochet book. Nothing is particularly lovely in the classic sense. Although the patterns can be adapted, the current photography and yarn choices are aimed mainly at teenagers (funky and cute come to mind). There is no lace to speak of, only fishnet and mesh. I wouldn't count on finding anything in here for an elegant-evening-out occasion, nor anything that is anywhere near heirloom quality.
   
   As a last note, I have to say that I was very disappointed with the author's attitude in her introduction: As a young crafter who loves both knitting and crocheting, it just makes me sad when knitters or crocheters feel obliged to snipe at each other. Knitting and crocheting are both fun and beautiful. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, and I don't see why anyone would want to dwarf one with the other. I encourage every crafter to learn both.
   
   All in all, a good casual accessory book, a good first book of crochet patterns, and especially good for younger people.



5. This is a great book if you're not plus-sized. If you are plus-sized, or if you frequently crochet for plus-sized women, consider that you will invest extra time resizing several of the projects. I've noticed that even the largest sizes in the book sometimes do not fit the dimensions noted, even when gauge is religiously checked.
   
   Still, the designs are beautiful and very wearable, so it is worth the money. If you buy this book and are concerned that you may need to know more about sizing, consider picking up Crochet Me and this month's Interweave Crochet, both of which have a lot of information about sizing and lots more great projects!

5 comments about Little Nemo: 1905-1914 (Evergreen).

1. After having only had the opportunity to read a handful of Little Nemo strips in the Smithsonian Collection of Newspaper Comics (another great book), I was happy to find that this was available. Even though the size of the pages are smaller than the original newspaper prints, I think this collection is definitely worth it, particularly since it's a fair price for so much material.



2. I discovered Winsor McCay only 2-3 months ago when reading the Sunday book review supplement in the San Francisco Chronicle. The column was about several different books and authors, however one of them was about the recently (July 2007) published Dream of the Rarebit Fiend (complete), edited, published, masterminded, etc. by the German Ulrich Merkl. I probably wouldn't have noticed the review but for a graphic showing several of McCay's sketches. It turns out that they were from the front cover of Merkle's book. They are, of course, illustrations from McCay's Dream of the Rarebit Fiend series. I was immediately taken with McCay's obvious genius and I immediately looked up McCay at my local library and checked out a copy of Little Nemo in Slumberland, the "Best of..." book edited by Richard Marschall. I was highly impressed by this and looked online and bought this Taschen/Evergreen version and at the same time the inexpensive but very nice reprint of the 1905 book published by Frederick A. Stokes of early Dream of the Rarebit Fiend strips.
   
   The Taschen/Evergreen (the book reviewed here), it turns out, has renderings of Little Nemo in Slumberland that are evidently taken from the same source as those in the Richard Marschall book I just referred to. The colors and even the occasional imperfections are the same, as well as the size. This volume, however, has many more episodes, over 400, probably. The Marschall has a few that are not in this, but they appear to be mainly late (after 1920) episodes, and are generally not up to the quality of the earlier work.
   
   Looking at the reviews of the Peter Maresca 2005 version of Little Nemo in Slumberland ("So Many Splendid Sundays"), I was highly impressed and I discovered that my library had a copy, and of course I checked it out. The full size presentation and superior production was so astonishing that I decided to buy a copy of my own, and it arrived yesterday. I'm still glad I have the Taschen/Evergreen because it has more than three times as many episodes as the Maresca (which has about 110 episodes) and it's nice to have that for continuity (there are often serial runs of episodes). This book is adequate to get the stories and conveys a lot of the majesty and McCay's genius, but having seen the Maresca it's hard to be satisfied with the 2:1 reduction and the inferior colors. They are certainly OK, but the Maresca is breathtaking.



3. This book is the quintessential collection of Winsor McCay's "Little Nemo" Sunday strips. Every single page is lovingly reproduced herein, guaranteed to delight the devotee and novice alike. I cannot and will not try to expound on the oft-repeated acknowledgment of McCay's brilliance. The focus here is the completeness of this compilation. It's all here, in one handy volume for all to see and be dazzled by. The only thing that could have been better would be full-sized reproductions (hint, hint). My thanks to the editors and everyone else who brought it into reality!



4. This is an excellent collection to own.
   
   The visuals in Little Nemo are excellent, leaps and bounds above what most filmmakers can do, even with technology and money.
   
   And Little Nemo was probably one of the ten most important comic strips of the early part of the 20th century.
   
   And this is a reasonably affordable edition that contains all (or at least claims to contain all) of the strip.
   
   That being said, I'm not sure that Little Nemo is really something that would hold the interest of a lot of contemporary readers, comic and otherwise. This was kind of a hard thing for me to write because it is an important work in terms of comic history.
   
   If you do plan on buying this, think of it as a reference book or a picture book (when I bought this at the comic store, the employee said it really existed solely for the art and, history aside, I'm not entirely sure I disagree with him). It is incredibly useful in that regard. In terms of an actual plot or characterization, don't really go in with high expectations. This is an attractive volume worth having on a shelf and consulting every few months but it isn't something that you are probably not going to read cover to cover.
   
   Little Nemo has little to speak of in terms of plot or characterization. And, like the Walt and Skeezix collection, racial stereotypes come in occasionally, something that would probably have flown in 1905-1914 but something that is unacceptable now (though I regret that the dislike of such things often comes at the expense of a reasoned view of the historical context).
   
   And I really wish that I could give this a better review due to its historical importance. Overall, it gets three stars but with a qualifier of some kind.



5. Little Nemo in Slumberland was introduced to America over a century ago, and these pages still have the power to astonish and touch anyone that reads them. The utter timelessness of this strip, both in artwork and vision, is the kind of testament to genius that very few graphic artists ever receive. Winsor McCay was such a genius and his major work, Little Nemo in Slumberland, is a vastly rich exploration of human dreams.
   
   What is it about Little Nemo that was so special? First and foremost, we have the pure draftsmanship of Winsor McCay. The man could (and with his imagination, often did) draw anything. Where a great deal of comic art from the time was somewhat static and stiff, McCay's figures had fluidity. His characters seemed to be caught in motion, captured in very difficult angles and postures to draw. McCay handled it all with incredible ease. When McCay drew Little Nemo climbing over a wall, it captured perfectly the struggle of a nine-year-old boy, fighting both his own small size and his pajamas. The man had a sense of perspective and composition that was nearly superhuman. He could portray an entire make-believe city, with shimmering towers and distant castles, in a single panel and give it a quality of detail and depth that barely seems possible.
   
   Secondly, of course, was the breadth of McCay's imagination. Sometimes little Nemo dreamt beautiful fantasies, sometimes disturbing nightmares (Nemo's journey toward Slumberland at times resembled Dante's journey through the nine circles). Suffice to say that the details of these dreams are simply mind expanding. One can only imagine the impression they made on a 1905 comic strip reader.
   
   Lastly, and for me most importantly, was the character of Nemo. McCay's portrayal of a six year old boy was completely spot on and timeless. Anyone that has ever had a boy child will instantly see their own son in Nemo, and this superb characterization was done more visually than with text or dialogue (if this doesn't make sense, have a look at the strip to see what I mean. Nemo's very posture suggests all the heartbreaking vulnerability and innocence of a young child). There is a subtle and complete sweetness that underlies the entire work that makes it emotionally memorable and captivating. The staggering beauty of McCay's panels often overshadows the fact that Nemo was nearly always the terrorized victim of his dreams. Yet no matter how hostile and threatening his dream world became, he never responded with anything but trust and hope (amazingly, this quality never seemed sentimental but always rang true - such was the power of McCay's art). It is the kind of work that has a place in both your heart and your mind.
   
   This is a very affordable and worthwhile edition of McCay's historic series. The colors are well reproduced, the paper stock is excellent, and the binding is superb. Lovers of the graphic arts should be very grateful to Evergreen for producing this well-done and reasonably priced book. I highly recommend it. ---Mykal Banta

1 comments about Graphis Design Annual 2008 (Graphis Design Annual).

1. Bought this book for my daughter who is a graphic design student. She really loved it and I thought it was great too.

1 comments about The Redstone Diary 2009: The Black and White Diary (Redstone Diary).

1. I been through Filofax and PalmPilot, but this engagement calendar seems to work the best for me and I have been buying them faithfull for several years. Most engagement calendars are very pooly designed. Redstone, however, is well thought out. The size is good, the paper quality is excellent and takes ink well (unlike most calendars with that terrible shiny paper), there is adequate writing space on the calendar side, and the pocket page has been reinforced. What is very important to me is that the calendar page is consistently on the right with the art work page on the left. The art page generally leaves room for additional notes...I somehow manage to write all over it. I tend to staple invitations, brochures, etc. on the left as well. Every year Julian Rothenstein and Mel Gooding come up with a very interesting theme with fabulous art work.
   
   This year they eliminated the blank pages for notes, which I think was a big mistake. Instead they provided 24 pages of a monthly calendar with artwork on opposite page. For me this does not work. They also moved the pocket page from the front to the back, which makes it bulky for writing because I usually have the pocket page jammed with junk. Still, it is the best engagement calendar I have been able to find...and I have looked at them all.

5 comments about The Monster Book of Manga: Fairies and Magical Creatures: Draw Like the Experts.

1. You're not going to be a master artist by reading this book, but here's what you can expect to learn.
   
   The book has lots of great examples of all types of fantasy characters in different poses. The book walks you through a 6 step process for the characters:
   
   Stick Figure - Work on the pose and proportions
   Basic Shapes - Block out your character
   Anatomy - Draw in the muscles
   Clothing or Detail - Add accessories, clothing, or details
   Shading - Pick a light source and add your shadows / reflective light
   Color - Bring it to life
   
   On each step, there is some text that points out some of the details and explains why the artist drew them that way and what it does for your characters.
   
   You can follow the examples in the book and you'll get good at this process. It will help you become a better character artist. If you need help on a particular step, the practice will help you out as well.
   With this book and some discipline, you can become a better artist.
   
   I've had the book for a month and I've gotten a bit better at proportions, anatomy, and shading. I also draw about 25% faster.



2. I own all three books in this series and I was pleased with every one of them.
   
   I must stress however that if you are seeking to learn how to draw then this isn't really a book you should purchase. They do go through various stages of each drawing with one or two comments but overall it isn't an instruction on how to draw manga.



3. This is the third in a series and the first the producers have concentrated on a specific genre, which is fantasy and magic. I own all three and I love all three. However, I don't use these to learn anything.
   
   The art in this book is outstanding. I find this book and the other two to be very inspirational. I look through these books to find ideas and even to draw what they have in the books.
   
   The downside is you will not learn anything from this book, especially if you are a beginner. They try to give you some tips and some progression pictures of each piece of art, but it doesn't help to teach you anything.
   
   Buy this book simply for the appreciation of the art that is in it. Look somewhere else for "how to draw" instructions.



4. I had really high expectations from this book....
   I you are thinking
   - it will teach you how to draw or colour
   - give you step by step instructions
   - teach you how to you media
   
   well then your wrong... its just like a cool coffee book with lots good illustrations.



5. The illustrations are beautifully done and there are step-by-step instructions on how to draw each model. The only problem with this manual is that it only shows one model for each character type, a bit of a disappointment since the ones that I usually get 3 to 4 four each type, and that some of the costumes are a bit raunchy. Otherwise, very good resource for anyone starting out.

5 comments about Complete Digital Photography, Third Edition (Digital Photography Series).

1. Complete Digital Photography (4th Ed) is a good basic explanation of how digital photography differs from film. Having browsed the 3rd edition before buying the 4th, I found much of the 4th Ed to be repetitive and there was not substantive new material. That does not diminish the value of this book if you are getting started in digital photography. This book should be of value to the novice photographer as well as the accomplished amateur who is switching from film to digital. Warning: if you are looking for a book to guide you through the artistic side of photography -- the 'how-to-take-a-great-picture' instructions, this is not the book for you. This book explains how things work, why they work the way they do, and can serve as an excellent reference for the novice digital photographer as he or she gets more into the craft and wants to try new things. As a relatively accomplished amateur film photographer, it has eased my transition to SLR-digital.



2. While Ben may have some good ideas, he clearly lacks in the knowledge of the cameras. This shows through time and again. For example, the fact that he will choose a camera of a specific brand over a better camera from another brand only because of the name printed on the body is simply laughable. Very biased towards certain products without regard for what works best. Sometimes when he gives advise that is completely wrong simply because he doesn't know enough on how to use a particular device or technique.



3. In depth yet easy to understand topics regarding digital photography and use of dslrs. highly reccommend.



4. I have never written a review on anything, but I felt compelled to write a few lines about this book. It is simply AMAZING! I went from nearly zero knowledge about digital photography to producing great looking images with my Nikon D40. As a matter of fact, I just put one of my first photos in a frame and I'm ready to hang it and display it in my home. The feeling of accomplishment is just great.
   
   This very thorough book begins with a non-intimidating review of technical aspects of digital photography (focusing on digital SLRs), follows with tips for better shooting (composition, exposure, etc), and finishes with post-processing (color and tone adjustments) and output (printing). It truly offers EVERYTHING you need to dive into digital photography. The post-production tutorials are particularly useful. I would suggest that you download a trial version of Photoshop CS3 or get a copy of Photoshop Elements in order to enjoy tutorials in the included CD.
   
   Five stars! No question about it.



5. I got this book for a digital photography class and I love it. It is easy to undersand and well put together.