The Layout Book (Required Reading Range) by Gavin Ambrose

by Gavin Ambrose

Most books just tell how to do layout. The Layout Book explains the hows, whys, and why nots of layout. A historical overview of layout, from the early scribes to today, is followed by a systematic look at key theoretical principles and practical applications. A selection of great layout designs and more than 300 illustrations in full color and black-and-white provides ideas and insight. Invaluable for design students, helpful to working designers looking for a better understanding of layout design, The Layout Book is unique and uniquely inspiring.

Genres: Design, Art Design, Nonfiction, Reference

Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[pearl · Rating 2 out of 5]

A solid overview of the history, development, and theories of layouts in Western graphic design, disappointingly brought down by recurring skeezy examples of women in little to no clothing and compromising poses. Ugh why.

[Celia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book twice now: once for pleasure and self-study and the second as a textbook. Seven years ago, when I was first beginning my graphic design career, I very much appreciated the guidance and examples provided. At the time, I was grasping at every resource I could find to teach me and show me how to do this graphic design thing as proficiently as possible—with no formal training.

This second time through, as I crossed the halfway point of earning my graphic design degree with countless client projects under my belt, the book held its relevance. My desperation has dissipated, but my experience and more developed skillset allowed me to view the examples with a more critical and knowledgeable eye. As with every design textbook I've ever come across, the student examples are basically useless: they "push the boundaries" in ways that would suit so few client projects as to be statistically insignificant. I suspect such projects are more useful for the designers who undertook them than for anyone else. Having said that, it was lovely to revisit the included professional work by Skolos-Wedell and a few other notable working designers.

I'm curious to look through the new (3rd) edition of the book slated to be published this fall (2024).

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[Revilia S · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learn new design theories that i've never been knew until i read this book. It is really great for graphic design student or someone who looking for an introduction for graphic design especially in prints. I am actually looking for more design layout variation and this book doesn't include the variation as many as my expectation.

[RW Press · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read and reference book for those who deal with print layout. It covers layout from as early as the first Gutenberg bible to modern magazine layouts. The edition I have was print in 2007, so the same year that the iPhone was released and before the iPad and other tablet devices, so if buying the book today you may feel it's missing a huge area that people now use to consume media.

[Pavel Kočička · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books about layout in publications. Big format, great examples, a lot of not-so-easy-2-find information. Must have for good graphic designer.

[Anna Płuciennik · Rating 3 out of 5]

i znów znalazłam jedynie pod niemieckim tytułem :)

[Keeko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to understand and lots of photos and illustrations to explain the text. Great resource.

[Ilya Bourim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple introduction to layout design. I liked the book.

[Nergiz Tigu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed to read this book! Especially the exercises in the last chapter were very useful.