The Elements of Typographic Style
by Robert Bringhurst
from Hartley and Marks Publishers
This lovely, well-written book is concerned foremost with creating beautiful typography and is essential for professionals who regularly work with typographic designs. Author Robert Bringhurst writes about designing with the correct typeface; striving for rhythm, proportion, and harmony; choosing and combining type; designing pages; using section heads, subheads, footnotes, and tables; applying kerning and other type adjustments to improve legibility; and adding special characters, including punctuation and diacritical marks. The Elements of Typographic Style teaches the history of and the artistic and practical perspectives on a variety of type families that are available in Europe and America today.
The last section of the book classifies and displays many type families, offers a glossary of typography terms, and lists type designers and type foundries. The book briefly mentions digital typography, but otherwise ignores it, focusing instead on general typography and page- and type-design issues. Its examples include text in a variety of languages--including English, Russian, German, and Greek--which is particularly helpful if your work has a multinational focus.
The Non-Designer's Design Book
by Robin Williams
from Peachpit Press
So you have a great concept and all the fancy digital tools you could possibly require—what's stopping you from creating beautiful pages? Namely the training to pull all of these elements together into a cohesive design that effectively communicates your message. Not to worry: This book is the one place you can turn to find quick, non-intimidating, excellent design help.
In The Non-Designer's Design Book, 2nd Edition, best-selling author Robin Williams turns her attention to the basic principles of good design and typography. All you have to do is follow her clearly explained concepts, and you'll begin producing more sophisticated, professional, and interesting pages immediately. Humor-infused, jargon-free prose interspersed with design exercises, quizzes, illustrations, and dozens of examples make learning a snap—which is just what audiences have come to expect from this best-selling author.Illustrating Children's Books: Creating Pictures for Publication
by Martin Salisbury
from Barron's Educational Series
The successful book illustrator starts by understanding his authorÂ’s flight of fancy, then rendering the ideas and actions imaginatively in pictorial terms. This unusual and inspiring book was written for art students and ambitious beginners. It instructs on methods of developing both imaginative powers and the technical artistic skills to produce high quality illustrations that will please authors and childrenÂ’s book editors. Separate chapters focus on:
- Media, materials, and techniques
- Developing different drawing styles to fit specific storytelling methods
- Instilling visual personality traits in story characters
- Creating effective sequential images for storyboards and picture book outlines
- Design, typography, and preparation for print
- Illustrating story books for older children
- Illustrating nonfiction and educational books
- Breaking into the childrenÂ’s book publishing business
Great Book of Celtic Patterns: The Ultimate Design Sourcebook for Artists and Crafters
by Lora S. Irish
from Fox Chapel Publishing
79 Short Essays on Design
by Michael Bierut
from Princeton Architectural Press
79 Short Essays on Design brings together the best of designer Michael Bierut’s critical writing—serious or humorous, flattering or biting, but always on the mark. Beirut is widely considered the finest observer on design writing today. Covering topics as diverse as Twyla Tharp and ITC Garamond, Bierut’s intelligent and accessible texts pull design culture into crisp focus. He touches on classics, like Massimo Vignelli and the cover of The Catcher in the Rye, as well as newcomers, like McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern and color-coded terrorism alert levels. Along the way Nabakov’s Pale Fire; Eero Saarinen; the paper clip; Celebration, Florida; the planet Saturn; the ClearRx pill bottle; and paper architecture all fall under his pen. His experience as a design practitioner informs his writing and gives it its truth. In 79 Short Essays on Design, designers and non-designers alike can share and revel in his insights.
Massive Change
by Bruce Mau
from Phaidon Press
Massive Change is a modern illustrated primer on the new inventions, technologies, and events that are affecting the human race worldwide. The book is a part of a broader research project by Bruce Mau Design intended to provoke debate and discussion about the future of design culture, broadly defined as the "familiar objects and techniques that are transforming our lives."In essays, interviews, and provocative imagery aimed at a broad audience, Massive Change explores the changing force of design in the contemporary world, and in doing so expands the definition of design to include the built environment, transportation technologies, revolutionary materials, energy and information systems, and living organisms. The book is divided into 11 heavily illustrated sections covering major areas of change in contemporary society #151; such as urbanism and architecture, the military, health and living, and wealth and politics. Each section intersperses intriguing documentary images with a general introductory essay, extended captions, and interviews with leading thinkers, including engineers, designers, philosophers, scientists, architects, artists, and writers. Concluding the book is a graphic timeline of significant inventions and world events from 10,000 B.C. to the present.
The Book as Art: Artists' Books from the National Museum of Women in the Arts
by Krystyna Wasserman
from Princeton Architectural Press
Culled from over eight hundred unique or limited-edition volumes held by the National Museum of Women in the Arts these books explore the form as a container for ideas. Descriptions of the works are accompanied by colorful illustrations and reflections by their makers, along with essays by leading scholars and a lively introduction by the most famous book artist in our culture, best-selling author Audrey Niffenegger. The exquisitely crafted objects in the The Book as Art are sure to provoke unexpected and surprising conclusions about what constitutes a book.
Layout Index: Brochure, Web Design, Poster, Flyer, Advertising, Page Layout, Newsletter, Stationery Index
by Jim Krause
from North Light Books
Idea Index kick-started a revolution in graphic design books, unique in size, feel--and most important--wealth of ideas. Layout Index is the next step, a compendium of layout idea-generators that will help designers explore multiple possibilities for visual treatments each time they turn the page. The visual and textual suggestions are divided into eight major areas, including newsletters, flyers, posters, brochures, advertising, stationery, page layout, and Web pages.
Each of these examples are designed to inspire effective solutions in the viewer's mind, rather than simply give specific answers to design problems. The tone and temperament of the design problems, as well as their solutions, vary from traditional to cutting-edge, from corporate to crazy. Designers will learn to solve their design problems, produce fantastic work and become better, more creative thinkers.
* Both creativity books and layout books are extremely popular
* As proven by Idea Index, the format of this book is a proven winner with designers
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Design Originals Handmade Books & Bindings Handmade Books & Bindings ISBN: 1574215787
This book offers a wonderful array of irresistible projects that will entice even the novice bookbinder to dive right in and start binding their own unique treasures. Books & Bindings presents updated tools and techniques that make this ancient art form accessible to today's crafter. Author: Mary Kaye Seckler Format: paperback, 52 pgs., 8 1/2 in. x 8 3/8 in. Publisher: Design Originals, 2005
Design Originals Book Arts: Beautiful Bindings for Handmade Books Book Arts: Beautiful Bindings for Handmade Books ISBN: 1574215302
This book is a must for everyone who loves the creativity of paper. Learn how to make books from scratch. The binding process is broken down into simple terms with an abundance of clear illustrations and diagrams. All the most popular bindings are featured: piano hinge and accordion, stab binding, concertina, and more Ingenious closures, beads, papers, and personal treasures highlight every project. The book arts world is waiting for your creativity, so let it fly Author: Mary Kaye Seckler Format: paperback, 52 pgs., 8 1/2 in. x 11 in. Publisher: Design Originals, 2004
Design Originals Cards, Mini Books & More Cards, Mini Books & More ISBN: 1574215639
Dozens of creative ideas and techniques are packed into this one popular book. Make and decorate projects with bottle caps, stickers, photos, and images. Every page in this valuable book is packed with great ideas and innovative projects. Editor: Suzanne McNeill Format: paperback, 52 pgs., 8 1/2 in. x 11 in. Publisher: Design Originals, 2005
Chronicle Books The Space Planner: A Home Decorating + Design Workbook The Space Planner: A Home Decorating + Design Workbook ISBN: 0811852903
Whether giving a current surrounding a makeover, or starting fresh in a new place, The Space Planner helps do-it-yourself home decorators identify the right design approach for the home. With an in-depth introduction and sections for each room in the house, this interactive journal provides the tools needed to turn an ordinary room into a haven that reflects both individual style and needs. Map out a room design on one of the included laminated grids, rearrange it until something clicks?and then get to work making that vision a reality The book includes: Design tips and guidance Sections for bedrooms, baths, kitchen, dining room, living room, family room, and office Lifestyle questionnaire and budget worksheet for each room Graph and note paper Over 300 vinyl furniture stickers Laminated grid pages Pocket for inspirational photos and articles Book specifications: wirebound paperback, 112 pgs., 8 1/2 in. x 8 1/2 in. Publisher: Chronicle Books, 2006.
Lark New Directions in Altered Books New Directions in Altered Books ISBN: 157990694X
Push creative boundaries with an original approach to an exciting, contemporary craft. With the advice and inspiration in this book, you'll try new ways of turning any volume into art, including a fabric triptych shrine, a sculptural picture frame with a 3-D collage, and a hinged format that incorporates mini-books into its ingenious design. You'll find these inventive projects a rewarding starting point for your own work. Book specifications: hardback, 144 pgs., 8 3/4 in. x 10 1/4 in. Publisher: Lark, 2006.
How Books Fingerprint: The Art of Using Handmade Elements in Graphic Design Fingerprint: The Art of Using Handmade Elements in Graphic Design ISBN: 1581808712
Inside you'll find examples that showcase a variety of design methods including mixed media, illustration, letterpress, screenprinting, and collage. You'll find inspiration from outstanding designers and see how traditional elements can make a more powerful statement than anesthetized computer-only work. Editor: Amy Schell Format: hardback, 178 pgs., 9 1/4 in. x 10 1/4 in. Publisher: How Books, 2006
Betterway Books The Prop Builder's Molding & Casting Handbook Molding & Casting Handbook
This is the first book to contain, in one comprehensive volume, every molding and casting procedure of use to the theater props builder. It guides you through the use of more than 30 molding and casting materials in the design and construction of theater properties and scenic elements. Includes a section on designing and building a vacuum forming machine for use in constructing theater props. Written in an easy, conversational style, the book will be useful to anyone involved with theater properties, puppetry, and costuming whether they are professionals or amateurs. Paperback book measures 8 1/2 in. x 11 in., 236 pages. Betterway Books, 1989. ISBN 1558701281
Stackpole Books Basic Jewelry Making Basic Jewelry Making ISBN: 0811732630
This fully illustrated guide shows how to make all kinds of funky and elegant bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and pendants using beads and wire. It begins with the basics ? planning a design, attaching fittings, making secure crimps, selecting beads ? so crafters can quickly get started creating one-of-a-kind pieces. Simple wire-bending techniques allow crafters to make beaded drop earrings as well as more elaborate necklace and bracelet designs. Advanced techniques use metallic, sterling silver, even 14-carat-gold wire to make gallery-quality jewelry in almost any style and size. Featuring design ideas by a variety of jewelers, this book includes pictures and descriptions of tools and materials, a guide to common types of beads, advice on proper lengths and fit, and inspiration for creating a wide range of styles. Book specifications: wirebound paperback, 116 pgs., 8 1/2 in. x 11 in. Publisher: Stackpole Books, 2006.
Canson Photo Books black
These supple albums have rich paper covers for a unique feel. They are simply bound with black wire and filled with acid-free, black, 70 lb. photo pages. The books come in a go-anywhere size, with a window in the cover that makes them ideal for personalizing. Albums contain 12 sheets (24 pages). They measure 7 in. x 7 in.
Canson Photo Books cabernet
These supple albums have rich paper covers for a unique feel. They are simply bound with black wire and filled with acid-free, black, 70 lb. photo pages. The books come in a go-anywhere size, with a window in the cover that makes them ideal for personalizing. Albums contain 12 sheets (24 pages). They measure 7 in. x 7 in.



