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Product: Book
ISBN-10: 1-59253-352-3
ISBN-13: 9781592533527
Publisher: Rockport Publishers
Country:
Year: May 1, 2007
Size: 22.61 x 22.86 x 2.03cm
Number of pages: 240
Weight: 816gr
Binding: Paperback
ISBN-10: 1-59253-352-3
ISBN-13: 9781592533527
Publisher: Rockport Publishers
Country:
Year: May 1, 2007
Size: 22.61 x 22.86 x 2.03cm
Number of pages: 240
Weight: 816gr
Binding: Paperback
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Product Description
New in Paperback! An inspired resource for creating excellent layouts
Layout Workbook is one of five volumes in Rockport's series of practical and inspirational workbooks that cover the fundamental areas of the graphic design business. In this edition, author Kristin Cullen tackles the often perplexing job of nailing down a layout that works.
More than a collection of great examples of layout, this book is an invaluable resource for students, designers, and creative professionals who seek design understanding and inspiration. The book illuminates the broad category of layout, communicating specifically what it takes to design with excellence. It also addresses the heart of design-the how and why of the creative process.
Cullen approaches layout with a series of step-by-step fundamental chapters (a »how-to« of layout) addressing topics such as The Function of Design, Inspiration, The Design Process, Intuition, Structure and Organization, The Interaction of Visual Elements, Typography, and Design Analysis. The book offers inspirational quotations and a unique, progressive design that truly reflects its content.
reviews
one of my favorite books 
i bring this book around with me a lot because its small and light. its filled with great information. mostly basic design concepts but very critical to know. there are many inspirational quotes scattered throughout the book from other well known designers.
i bring this book around with me a lot because its small and light. its filled with great information. mostly basic design concepts but very critical to know. there are many inspirational quotes scattered throughout the book from other well known designers.
Not a Workbook, and Not Much Layout 
It's too bad that this book is not a workbook and that it does not provide very much information about layout. Primarily, it's a look at what the authors consider good design in print media. The book discusses the function of design, the design process, the role of inspiration and intuition in design, the function of grids, the factors that effect composition, typography and the importance of design analysis. The book concludes with a look at several examples of design with some comments on each. There are no exercises or tutorials. Most designers would agree that the layout of printed materials should enhance the ability of the printed media to communicate its message without calling attention to the layout. I presume that there are some principles to laying out a piece of media to achieve that goal. The authors recognize that there are such principles and even offer some of those in general terms. Thus the authors suggest that using more then one typeface or font in a piece may enhance communication, but also point out that some fonts are unattractive when combined. The logical development of this point would have provided readers with some examples of combinations both compatible and in conflict, and perhaps even a discussion of why fonts fit together or conflict. The authors offer profuse illustrations that they believe show good design. Unfortunately most of illustrations are so small that they provide little help in understanding the teaching points. The examples in the final chapter are larger. For the latter, the accompanying text often illustrates the design considerations but just as often the text is merely descriptive. I found that most of the examples throughout the book called attention to their design, without showing how the design contributed to the communication. For me, the chapter on compositional factors seemed like it would be the real meat of layout. The authors listed fifteen factors ranging from space to tension. Several of the factors are then discussed in a few paragraphs. For the space factor, the authors point out that grouping several items together, with space around them, leads the eye to them, and that centering a visual element renders it ineffective. I accepted these principles, but wanted the illustrations to show how and why these principles worked, which they did not. Moreover, only 12 of the fifteen factors were explained. I was driven by an interest in the layout of images in photographic books. The compositional factors were useful in a general way but I wanted just a little bit of spoon-feeding. I went away hungry. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe layout is such an intuitive and inspirational process that it is impossible to deal in specifics, but I don't believe it. In almost every art and craft field there are principles of general application that good practitioners then press against to create unusual products. Unfortunately this book only shows us the outliers. This book may provide inspiration to experienced designers, but won't be of much help to those with less experience.
It's too bad that this book is not a workbook and that it does not provide very much information about layout. Primarily, it's a look at what the authors consider good design in print media. The book discusses the function of design, the design process, the role of inspiration and intuition in design, the function of grids, the factors that effect composition, typography and the importance of design analysis. The book concludes with a look at several examples of design with some comments on each. There are no exercises or tutorials. Most designers would agree that the layout of printed materials should enhance the ability of the printed media to communicate its message without calling attention to the layout. I presume that there are some principles to laying out a piece of media to achieve that goal. The authors recognize that there are such principles and even offer some of those in general terms. Thus the authors suggest that using more then one typeface or font in a piece may enhance communication, but also point out that some fonts are unattractive when combined. The logical development of this point would have provided readers with some examples of combinations both compatible and in conflict, and perhaps even a discussion of why fonts fit together or conflict. The authors offer profuse illustrations that they believe show good design. Unfortunately most of illustrations are so small that they provide little help in understanding the teaching points. The examples in the final chapter are larger. For the latter, the accompanying text often illustrates the design considerations but just as often the text is merely descriptive. I found that most of the examples throughout the book called attention to their design, without showing how the design contributed to the communication. For me, the chapter on compositional factors seemed like it would be the real meat of layout. The authors listed fifteen factors ranging from space to tension. Several of the factors are then discussed in a few paragraphs. For the space factor, the authors point out that grouping several items together, with space around them, leads the eye to them, and that centering a visual element renders it ineffective. I accepted these principles, but wanted the illustrations to show how and why these principles worked, which they did not. Moreover, only 12 of the fifteen factors were explained. I was driven by an interest in the layout of images in photographic books. The compositional factors were useful in a general way but I wanted just a little bit of spoon-feeding. I went away hungry. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe layout is such an intuitive and inspirational process that it is impossible to deal in specifics, but I don't believe it. In almost every art and craft field there are principles of general application that good practitioners then press against to create unusual products. Unfortunately this book only shows us the outliers. This book may provide inspiration to experienced designers, but won't be of much help to those with less experience.
Excellent and inspired
This is a wonderful book for inspired layouts and design. A professional designer can never have »too many« sources to draw inspiration form, and to stretch their design. The book is an excellent addition to a designer's arsenal … and it's well-laid out too (couldn't resist). :)
This is a wonderful book for inspired layouts and design. A professional designer can never have »too many« sources to draw inspiration form, and to stretch their design. The book is an excellent addition to a designer's arsenal … and it's well-laid out too (couldn't resist). :)
Good Overview 
A very good overview of design and layout. Nothing gound breaking, but just a nice refresher.
A very good overview of design and layout. Nothing gound breaking, but just a nice refresher.
A good investment
I agree with the reviewers who said that the title of the book is a misnomer. It is certainly not a workbook, but an informative guide to understanding the graphic design process. The examples used to illustrate the various aspects of design are a great inspiration to anyone working in desktop publishing and design. Shrimati Charan Trinidad and Tobago
I agree with the reviewers who said that the title of the book is a misnomer. It is certainly not a workbook, but an informative guide to understanding the graphic design process. The examples used to illustrate the various aspects of design are a great inspiration to anyone working in desktop publishing and design. Shrimati Charan Trinidad and Tobago
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last update: 3/16/2010
URL: http://www.book-info.com/isbn/1-59253-352-3.htm
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