Layout Workbook: A Real-World Guide to Building Pages in Graphic Design,   ISBN:9781592533527

Customer Rating: 

Deceptive title. Expected more in-depth material on layouts, grids and publication design. Turned out to be more of a graphic design basics book that gives surface level info on various design concepts. Not really a workbook either - no interactive exercises or anything. Last 1/3 of the book basically profiles various design firms and certain print publications they've created. Again - very surface level analysis.

Not recommended for intermediate/advanced designers.

Customer Rating: 

This was a great buy and I am very happy. The delivery was quick and the book is in great shape. Thanks!

Customer Rating: 

I like this book a lot and it is clearly influenced by the authors graduate education at RISD, her undergraduate education at UIUC (with influence by Renate Gokl) and her on the job experience in the Chicago design world.

I think the reason why it has the word "workbook" in it is that is the title of a series of books by Rockport. This is, unfortunately, a persistent trend in design books which is forcing authors to title, change, or redesign books so they fit an editor's idea of a series. Even if it really does not fit that series.
(Why can't publishers let design authors simply publish a book on type, a book on identity design, whatever..., and not have it be part of a "series"?!)

One criticism is that some of the typography is a little crazy in section spreads and chapter intro pages. I think a bit more restraint could have been used for these to make them more functional in nature while still interesting. But it is a minor thing.

Forget the title. It is simply a very useful book. I wish I had found it in 2005 when it was first published or at least in 2007 for the paperback.

Customer Rating: 

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

Customer Rating: 

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.