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43rd out of 112 books
—
24 voters
The Non-Designer's Design Book
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. I...more
Paperback, Second Edition, 191 pages
Published
August 28th 2003
by Peachpit Press
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I read this book about a year ago and I’m going to complain about it first, and then rave about it.
Complaints:
Some of the text inside is too faint – it is actually quite difficult to read.
Some of her ‘examples’ look quite unattractive even when they are ‘finished’.
Raves:
This is a very clever book. If you are visually hopeless, like myself, it talks you through what to look for in step by step, no assumptions. This is a book that explains both the four elements of visual design (I’ll get to that...more
Complaints:
Some of the text inside is too faint – it is actually quite difficult to read.
Some of her ‘examples’ look quite unattractive even when they are ‘finished’.
Raves:
This is a very clever book. If you are visually hopeless, like myself, it talks you through what to look for in step by step, no assumptions. This is a book that explains both the four elements of visual design (I’ll get to that...more
8 likes · like · see review
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This book had been a long time in my reading list. I've wanted to read The Non-Designer's Design Book by Robin P. Williams for few years already. I've read some design books before and customer experiences are also my favorite work subject. Design is such a big part of experiences, that I've wanted to learn much more about that subject for some time.
I had read so many good reviews about the book, that expectations towards the book was high. When I received the book and started scim the book thro...more
I had read so many good reviews about the book, that expectations towards the book was high. When I received the book and started scim the book thro...more
This is quite possibly the best graphic design book I have read. The first part teaches you the four basic principles of design, CRAP. Or contrast, repetition, alignment, and proximity. It gives a clear overview of each concept and then provides examples of when it is working and when it is failing. It also asks you to actively get involved, not by pointing out all the errors, but by asking you to look for them yourself. Once the four basic principles have been detailed, it moves on to an equall...more
Wow! This book is very easy to read and full of good ideas for considering the effects of visual choices (font size/style, color, organization, etc.) on communication. I found myself much more aware of options in the texts I viewed after I read it--and more willing to consider choices in the texts I create. I will definitely bring this into lessons that deal with written communication since even a traditionally-styled piece of writing says something with its font choices, white space, etc. In to...more
This book succeeds in fulfilling its promise: educating visual novices about design and typographic principles. It's remarkable to me that this book works so well when I've seen others fall flat (I'm looking at you, Nancy Duarte!) in educating a beginner audience about design principles. It's especially impressive when you figure in the fact that this book is not very long or slickly produced. Hell, it's not even in color! But I think this is a part of Williams' success. The book's message is si...more
2 likes · like · see review
It does what it says on the tin! An excellent introduction to the principles of design and typography for anyone wondering where to start - or indeed for anyone needing to clarify why some things work, and what to do about the things that don't.
Update: I bought this, The Non-Designer's Type Book and The Non-Designer's Web Book all together. Not sure if that was the author's intent, but there you are.
I've now read them all, and found them all useful in different ways. But this is the one I found...more
Update: I bought this, The Non-Designer's Type Book and The Non-Designer's Web Book all together. Not sure if that was the author's intent, but there you are.
I've now read them all, and found them all useful in different ways. But this is the one I found...more
Delivers on the promise of its title, showing a non-designer how proper use of Contrast, Repetition, Alignment and Proximity can make pages easier to read and understand. All carefully explained, and lavishly illustrated with examples,
A few more of the many useful things I learned from reading this:
The difference between conflict and contrast.
Just Say No to Times, Helvetica and Arial.
For best readability in body copy, use a classic oldstyle serif face such as Garamond, jenson, Caslon, Minion, or...more
A few more of the many useful things I learned from reading this:
The difference between conflict and contrast.
Just Say No to Times, Helvetica and Arial.
For best readability in body copy, use a classic oldstyle serif face such as Garamond, jenson, Caslon, Minion, or...more
Nov 23, 2012
Claire
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
nonfiction,
reference-how-to
An excellent introduction to design principles (contrast, repetition, alignment, proximity) with lots of examples for practical application. I will be designing my next business cards differently.
There's also a section on designing with type. Some of the type stuff I didn't agree with, but I think that has more to do with my disinclination to use certain type categories than a flaw in the theory.
I would've liked more examples relating to web sites since I don't have a lot of print needs for news...more
There's also a section on designing with type. Some of the type stuff I didn't agree with, but I think that has more to do with my disinclination to use certain type categories than a flaw in the theory.
I would've liked more examples relating to web sites since I don't have a lot of print needs for news...more
The Non-Designer's Design Book was clearly written by a non-writer. I'm not a designer so I won't dispute the validity of what the author, Robin P. Williams, teaches. But getting through this book is just so excruciating because her writing is so amateur. She's a writer in the most basic sense of the word: she knows words and knows that sentences usually need a subject and predicate. That's about as far as her skill extends.
One of my biggest critiques is that Williams writes in a vacuum. She wri...more
One of my biggest critiques is that Williams writes in a vacuum. She wri...more
Good, clear, simple book on design basics.
Notes:
Proximity: put related things together. Separate unrelated things.
Alignment: align stuff along a strong line whenever possible--left or right. Don't randomly stick stuff in corners or indent unless to show hierarchy.
Repetition: add cohesion by repeating elements (ex. bullets, typefaces, lines, colors, graphics)
Contrast: be bold
Do things in concord (the same) or contrast (very different), not conflict (similar but not the same--looks like a mistake...more
Notes:
Proximity: put related things together. Separate unrelated things.
Alignment: align stuff along a strong line whenever possible--left or right. Don't randomly stick stuff in corners or indent unless to show hierarchy.
Repetition: add cohesion by repeating elements (ex. bullets, typefaces, lines, colors, graphics)
Contrast: be bold
Do things in concord (the same) or contrast (very different), not conflict (similar but not the same--looks like a mistake...more
A fine book introducing some basic rules about Graphic design.
The first half of the book takes you through 4 simple rules to apply to all your design work. Delivered with a simple and easy to remember acronym. I can testify that applying these rules does make a difference to even the simplest of documents that you may create. the first half is worth the price alone.
The second half deals with type and needs more thought to apply and as such is a little heavier going and is more difficult to app...more
The first half of the book takes you through 4 simple rules to apply to all your design work. Delivered with a simple and easy to remember acronym. I can testify that applying these rules does make a difference to even the simplest of documents that you may create. the first half is worth the price alone.
The second half deals with type and needs more thought to apply and as such is a little heavier going and is more difficult to app...more
AN easy to read little Design book: the style of the writing is approachable, reading it is almost like listening to a friend...
Here are some my favourite quotes:
'...Don't be afraid to create your Design (or your life) with plenty of blank space - it's rest for the eyes (and the soul).
Don't be afraid to be asymmetrical, to uncentre your format - if often makes the effect stronger. It's OK to be the unexpected...
There is one more general guiding principle of Design (and of life): DON'T BE A WIMP...more
Here are some my favourite quotes:
'...Don't be afraid to create your Design (or your life) with plenty of blank space - it's rest for the eyes (and the soul).
Don't be afraid to be asymmetrical, to uncentre your format - if often makes the effect stronger. It's OK to be the unexpected...
There is one more general guiding principle of Design (and of life): DON'T BE A WIMP...more
excellent simplification of graphic design principles for the newbie. written in an engaging style, and loaded with tons of examples. the second half is all about typography (font structure) which i thought i would find too boring and just skip it, but by the time i finished the first half, i found myself interested in typography and read the whole thing! this focuses mostly on print materials, though the basic design principles can be applied to web design. will likely pick of the web-specific...more
Great presentation of basic design principles for layout and typography, with clear presentations and opportunities to practice. I came away with a good grasp of how to use
* Contrast,
* Repitition,
* Alignment, and
* Proximity
All with a handy acronym.
I also learned about the basic font families and some pointers on how fonts can be used and combined.
The book has an odd tone at times, more of the writer's personality than is really helpful. It could be edited down to a slimmer volume.
* Contrast,
* Repitition,
* Alignment, and
* Proximity
All with a handy acronym.
I also learned about the basic font families and some pointers on how fonts can be used and combined.
The book has an odd tone at times, more of the writer's personality than is really helpful. It could be edited down to a slimmer volume.
الكتاب يوضح لكل مبتدئ أساسيات التصميم الأربعه التي تجذب المشاهد ولا تشتت انتباهه وهي:
التباين، التكرار، المحاذاة، التقارب.
وهي مفيدة في أمور كثيرة من ملفات الوورد والباوربوينت، إلى التصميم الاحترافي بالبرامج المتخصصه من فوتوشوب وغيره
الكتاب مدعوم بالصور التوضيحية وبلغة انجليزية سهله يستطيع تتبّعها كل من لا يتقن اللغة الانجليزية.
أعجبني تسليط الكاتبة الضوء على أنواع الخطوط المختلفه التي من الممكن أن تثري التصميم وتزيد من جماليته وجذبه للمشاهد.
بصفة عامة الكتاب ممتاز، وأسلوب الكاتبة رائع، أتمنى تر...more
التباين، التكرار، المحاذاة، التقارب.
وهي مفيدة في أمور كثيرة من ملفات الوورد والباوربوينت، إلى التصميم الاحترافي بالبرامج المتخصصه من فوتوشوب وغيره
الكتاب مدعوم بالصور التوضيحية وبلغة انجليزية سهله يستطيع تتبّعها كل من لا يتقن اللغة الانجليزية.
أعجبني تسليط الكاتبة الضوء على أنواع الخطوط المختلفه التي من الممكن أن تثري التصميم وتزيد من جماليته وجذبه للمشاهد.
بصفة عامة الكتاب ممتاز، وأسلوب الكاتبة رائع، أتمنى تر...more
Straighforward, an easy read, a fantastic reference for document design. Desktop design.
May sound obsolete for the web designers, but the rules in this book still apply in a ton of scenarions - and yes, even in web design if you wish.
Definitely keep it handy in your office or in a shared space - a lot of non-designers have still a lot to learn about to lay out a Word document or how to design an office kitchen/cafeteria ad in order to convey the right message and attract the intended audience.
May sound obsolete for the web designers, but the rules in this book still apply in a ton of scenarions - and yes, even in web design if you wish.
Definitely keep it handy in your office or in a shared space - a lot of non-designers have still a lot to learn about to lay out a Word document or how to design an office kitchen/cafeteria ad in order to convey the right message and attract the intended audience.
original review:
http://www.reemer.com/archives/2005/0...
I have no idea why I picked this up well over a year ago, but I'm glad I finally found the time (read: about an hour) to read it. It gives an overview of basic design principles, easily remembered using the mnemonic C.R.A.P. (for Contrast, Repetition, Alignment, and Proximity). What I found most interesting, however, were the chapters on typography.
I'm consistently amazed by the designers that I work with who are easibly able to identify a...more
http://www.reemer.com/archives/2005/0...
I have no idea why I picked this up well over a year ago, but I'm glad I finally found the time (read: about an hour) to read it. It gives an overview of basic design principles, easily remembered using the mnemonic C.R.A.P. (for Contrast, Repetition, Alignment, and Proximity). What I found most interesting, however, were the chapters on typography.
I'm consistently amazed by the designers that I work with who are easibly able to identify a...more
This was our assigned textbook for a visual communication class, and it was absolutely fantastic. Though I knew the basics of design from an Editing & Graphics course, this book really went into depth and provided great examples for each point.
The examples were definitely the best part for me. There were several examples per point, taking the same design from terrible to four kinds of fantastic. It really helped me understand design basics, especially for print publications.
The examples were definitely the best part for me. There were several examples per point, taking the same design from terrible to four kinds of fantastic. It really helped me understand design basics, especially for print publications.
I bought the second edition of this book when I saw it listed on Joel Spolsky's Fog Creek MBA reading list. I never regretted it, and this new edition is a very welcome improvement over the old one, especially thanks to the use of color.
It's still the go-to book on design for people, like me, who tend to see the world in 16 colors and use Helvetica. If you're not a professional designer who wants to be a little bit less clueless (more clueful?) about design, run get this book.
It's still the go-to book on design for people, like me, who tend to see the world in 16 colors and use Helvetica. If you're not a professional designer who wants to be a little bit less clueless (more clueful?) about design, run get this book.
The title is very clear: this is a book for non-designers (or beginners in design). The concepts are clear and well explained, and might serve as a good (basic) reference and an introduction to concepts, such as color theory and typography, for those who want to learn some foundations and find out what interests them for further studying.
I'd recommend this one to anyone, especially those who don't care as much about design but occasionally need to design invitations, business cards, signs, etc.....more
I'd recommend this one to anyone, especially those who don't care as much about design but occasionally need to design invitations, business cards, signs, etc.....more
This book is one great read for designers and non-designers trying to figure out how to make eye-catching, easy-to-read designs. Williams shows how aesthetically-displeasing flyers, ads, and general marketing materials can be turned into satisfying works on the eye. I found the background on different fonts and types interesting and useful in creating materials. If you're a total pro, maybe you won't need this book, but it's still good to keep for reference.
I read this book for an online design class. It's organized very well, features examples for every concept she discusses, and offers small quizzes at the end.The language is easy to read and engaging, and the book offers several design techniques such as rules to follow (alignment, repitition, etc.) as well as an entire section on text and fonts. If you know nothing about design, this book is definitely a good starting point.
This is an excellent reference work for those who want or need to design something, but who do not have the luxury of going to design school. The information is presented clearly and concisely, and there are many examples of the principles being discussed found throughout the book.
I first got this book for one of my college editing courses, and I still reference it regularly. It's helped to give me more tools to use in explaining why something does or doesn't work from a design standpoint.
I first got this book for one of my college editing courses, and I still reference it regularly. It's helped to give me more tools to use in explaining why something does or doesn't work from a design standpoint.
This book is full of crap. Well, make that, C.R.A.P. Okay, I'm almost certainly not the first to make that particular joke, but I couldn't resist.
This book is a legend in design circles (which I observe only from the periphery). It simplified design to a few basic principles (Contrast, Repetition, Alignment, and Proximity) and made those principles accessible to everyone, even people who have no design experience or even talent. That is what makes this book exceptional.
I use this book in my tech...more
This book is a legend in design circles (which I observe only from the periphery). It simplified design to a few basic principles (Contrast, Repetition, Alignment, and Proximity) and made those principles accessible to everyone, even people who have no design experience or even talent. That is what makes this book exceptional.
I use this book in my tech...more
This books proves that you don't know what you don't know until you know it! :)
I will never look at a page of print with the same eyes again.
This easy to read and humorous book taught me enough to just be dangerous with fonts and contrast and colors.
But seriously a few hours reading has immensely improved the look of the documents that I prepare for work, school and my personal stuff.
I will never look at a page of print with the same eyes again.
This easy to read and humorous book taught me enough to just be dangerous with fonts and contrast and colors.
But seriously a few hours reading has immensely improved the look of the documents that I prepare for work, school and my personal stuff.
My brother has this as a college textbook and I picked it up to flip through. It was really pretty interesting, once you get past the first half of the book going over some basics (alignment, contrast, etc.) it gets into the meat of typeface and creative juices. I can't say I'm a novice at any of it, but I liked playing "Guess that font!" and picked up a few ideas for beautifying my resume.
Dec 08, 2010
Laura
added it
Design demystified: Writers who want to improve the look of whatever they write will find some excellent information here. This book will also suit anyone who wants to understand the basics of graphic design. Williams' engaging writing style makes this both an entertaining and useful read. Make sure you do the exercises and quizzes - they're fun and extremely helpful.
This is a great book to gift to folks who aren't designers. I keep a stash of these at work for clients that find themselves having to manage some design-work on their own internally. It's not going to make them magically great designers but it will guide them in the most important basics. It will not replace farming out design so no worries there.
I recently re-read this book and was reminded how fabulous it is. Along with Williams' other works, including The PC is Not a Typewriter, this is essential reading for anyone who works on newsletters and other print materials but is not professionally trained. It's one of the most clearly-written, helpful, practical, and informative books I've ever read.
This is a great reference tool for design, using the principle of CRAP (contrast, repetition, alignment, proximity). The book is easy to follow, and has many examples of good design, along with the rework of bad design examples.
The latter part of the book deftly explains the use of color and typeface choices in a design piece, then incorporates the CRAP components into the finished design pieces.
The latter part of the book deftly explains the use of color and typeface choices in a design piece, then incorporates the CRAP components into the finished design pieces.
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Robin P. Williams is an American writer of computer-related books. She is particularly known for her manuals of style The Mac is Not a Typewriter and The Non-Designer's Design Book, as well as numerous manuals for various Mac OS operating systems and applications, including The Little Mac Book.
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