Mastering Layout: On the Art of Eye Appeal

by Michael R. Stevens

This best-selling book covers the fundamental principles of layout for signs. Ask any "old timer" in the sign industry and they will tell you to get Mike Stevens' Mastering Layout. It teaches how to see, organize and manipulate graphic elements for unified, legible and visually appealing results. Over 80 illustrations demonstrate "before-and-after" results of applying the principles. Includes a troubleshooting checklist for isolating, analyzing and correcting layout weaknesses in your own designs. This book has literally taught thousands the principles and practices for excellence in sign design.

Genres: Design, Art, Nonfiction

127 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

From Signcraftmagazine. July/August 1989

Few sign artists in recent times have had as much influence on sign layout as sign artist/author Mike Stevens. Mike Stevens died suddenly on April 20, 1989. Mike was the author of Mastering Layout: The Art of Eye Appeal and Ninety-Nine Showcards: A Photo Album, and produced two audiotapes and a video tape. He recently contributed a series of articles on layout to SignCraft. Since his death, SignCraft has heard from scores of sign artists — some long-time friends and others who knew Mike only through his books, tapes and articles. All mentioned his impact on their work, their business, and in many cases, their lives. The limits of space make it impossible to share all of their comments. We felt these words and photos from the sign artists and friends who knew and worked with Mike during his years in San Jose, CA, were a fitting tribute to this outstanding sign artist. — Editors

Source: American Sign Museum.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is good thinking plainly stated--very clear--an honest sharing of important knowledge gained from much experience. There's no flim flam or grand-standing. The author is an enormously talented and also humble man and a generous teacher. He understands how sign layout works --the energy and shape of each word and each copy block in relation to each other and to the shape of the sign as a whole. It makes so much sense. It's illuminating. And it's useful thinking for any kind of layout--certainly calligraphy: He talks "visual sense"--(my own phrase--the ocular equivalent of common sense") and I think the info in this wonderful book will impact composition in my illustration work. I more than highly recommend it. If you're a visual artist, I'd say you're cheating yourself if you don't read it. It's terrific.

[Darby Leiber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very technical!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A no nonsense guide to layout. And believe it or not; NOT BORING!