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The Elements of Graphic Design: Space, Unity, Page Architecture, and Type
Approach page design in a revolutionary new way! Unlike other graphic design books, The Elements of Graphic Designreveals the secrets of successful graphic design from the unique perspective of the page’s “white space.” With the help of carefully selected examples from art, design, and architecture, the book illuminates the role of each design element and how it can be ren...more
Paperback, 160 pages
Published
November 1st 2002
by Allworth Press
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If you are starting a career in graphic design this book can give you a short but effective overview of the basic principles professional designers follow in their work, and the aesthetics behind it.
But if you are simply someone that, for some reason or the other, needs to build some graphical skills, and apply what you learn to some practical work, you are going to find this book just too theoretical.
The only part which seemed to me to be a bit more down-to-earth is the last section (the fourt...more
But if you are simply someone that, for some reason or the other, needs to build some graphical skills, and apply what you learn to some practical work, you are going to find this book just too theoretical.
The only part which seemed to me to be a bit more down-to-earth is the last section (the fourt...more
Okay. Book on graphic design. You expect it to be well-designed.
I'm not sure if this one was or not: maybe that was the purpose. It was incredibly informative (especially on typesetting, for some reason), but the layouts and graphics seemed to break a lot of the rules that he was trying to get across. You'd look at a page and have no idea where to start reading, there were so many text boxes on it. And yet it wasn't hard to read, or boring, or confusing--you just had to dance around a lot.
Recomm...more
I'm not sure if this one was or not: maybe that was the purpose. It was incredibly informative (especially on typesetting, for some reason), but the layouts and graphics seemed to break a lot of the rules that he was trying to get across. You'd look at a page and have no idea where to start reading, there were so many text boxes on it. And yet it wasn't hard to read, or boring, or confusing--you just had to dance around a lot.
Recomm...more
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This is probably the best book on graphic design I've ever read. Usually, Graphic Designers are fairly incommunicative verbally. They will try to show you; ask you whether you "see" it or "feel" the harmony or balance or whatnot of some design. Of course, I don't see it. If I did, I wouldn't have to ask in the first place. Thankfully, this Alex W. White doesn't do that. His prose is clear about every concept Graphic Designers have ever introduced me to and neglected to explain.
Majority of the bo...more
Majority of the bo...more
Yet another book that I wish my coworkers would read. This is written at just about the perfect level for me, covering a broad amount of content without going too deep. It was a good overview, and definitely showed me that I could stand to learn some more about this topic. (Especially typography, which was quite fascinating. I've read a bit about typography in the past, but this presented the topic in pretty much the exact amount of detail that I wanted.)
Besides being a very well-designed book (as one would expect), this is a very practical and down to earth handbook for graphic designers. The emphasis throughout is on the techniques needed to convey a message, as opposed to simply satisfying a designer's desire to be different or to stand out.
This book is obviously useful for aspiring or professional graphic designers, but I think it would be useful as well for anyone putting together a website, writing a brochure, putting out a newsletter, etc...more
This book is obviously useful for aspiring or professional graphic designers, but I think it would be useful as well for anyone putting together a website, writing a brochure, putting out a newsletter, etc...more
Read this book 3 times... Can't wait to get my copy. Really go with learning the basics... Read it in school.
very useful set of checklists at the end
My one problem with this book is that I found it hard to read--it was difficult for me to latch onto and remember the content. I think this was due to the busy, overstimulating design, which made me feel that I had to process everything at once. That said, it is a visually rewarding book with plenty of good examples. One lesson in particular that benefited me was the discussion of whitespace. Perhaps if the book design had followed through on this I would have had an easier time.
Some good info, but its buried in pages of disorganized filler. Readability is sacrificed for visual flare on each page which makes for a hard read. (Ironically, this is what White instructs designers not to do). He introduces terms without defining them until chapters later. He can't seem to decide whether he is writing a guide for beginners or his grand treatise as a designer with years of experience. Generally his tone is pedagogical and snobby.
Apr 03, 2007
Jessica
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
graphic design students and graphic designers
This is a great book for designers and students to read in order to find out what graphic design is about. Designers and students will benefit from this book, Alex brought up very good example of what space is about and why it is important in graphic design, when applying elements onto layout.
Aug 18, 2007
W.C.
added it
I was going to just write a review of this book when I saw it on my shelf, but an hour later I'm done reading it through again. In a long tradition of books about graphic design being overly stylized and self-indulgent, this is a mediaful fun-fest of knowledge and artsy-fartsy discovery.
This book will make you more cool in a Bauhaus, European, wear-lots-of-black, visual arts sort of way.
Or maybe it will help see the world anew... ordered and chaotic.
At the very least, you'll learn a lot about the power of active white space in graphic design.
Or maybe it will help see the world anew... ordered and chaotic.
At the very least, you'll learn a lot about the power of active white space in graphic design.
Great reference book!
May 14, 2013
Hema Edwin
marked it as to-read
May 06, 2013
Saqer aldhahiry
marked it as to-read
Apr 24, 2013
Craig Brummer
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Apr 23, 2013
Nina
marked it as to-read
Apr 17, 2013
Uwamungu Emile
marked it as to-read
Mar 10, 2013
Sammy
marked it as to-read
Feb 23, 2013
Swallmark
marked it as graphic-design-hard
Feb 07, 2013
Robhert
marked it as to-read
Jan 24, 2013
Isha Tiwari
marked it as to-read
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