Summaries and Customer Reviews are supplied by Amazon.com
Summary:
New in Paperback! An inspired resource for creating excellent layouts
Layout Workbook is one of five volumes in Rockport's series of practical and inspirational workbooks that cover the fundamental areas of the graphic design business. In this edition, author Kristin Cullen tackles the often perplexing job of nailing down a layout that works.
More than a collection of great examples of layout, this book is an invaluable resource for students, designers, and creative professionals who seek design understanding and inspiration. The book illuminates the broad category of layout, communicating specifically what it takes to design with excellence. It also addresses the heart of design-the how and why of the creative process.
Cullen approaches layout with a series of step-by-step fundamental chapters (a "how-to" of layout) addressing topics such as The Function of Design, Inspiration, The Design Process, Intuition, Structure and Organization, The Interaction of Visual Elements, Typography, and Design Analysis. The book offers inspirational quotations and a unique, progressive design that truly reflects its content.
Customer Reviews:
Average Customer Rating:
Not much layout - more of a basic graphic design book
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.
Layout Workbook
Customer Rating:
This was a great buy and I am very happy. The delivery was quick and the book is in great shape. Thanks!
Excellent book on design for any student
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.
A good investment
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
one of my favorite books
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.