Clueless Clay » Review of Cartoon/ Design Books

Design Elements – Timothy Samara

mei — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 19:28:00 +0000

This book is very compact and very useful. It starts with the 20 rules of design, go on to cover in detail aspects related to forms, colors, typography, layout and also show examples of how the rules are broken.

I found myself gaining more confidence after reading this book, assuring myself that at least I know what the basics of design are.

What can I say? Except a must for every designer, especially like me who is amateur and require a comprehensive and thorough book.

Creative Jolt – Denise Anderson, Rose Gonnella and Robin Landa

mei — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 17:51:00 +0000

This is a book that offers suggestions on how to get creative; from the use of unusual colors to adopting an atypical view. Each suggestion has some sample works.

Not too helpful for a beginner though.. in fact, I am not too sure who it can be useful for but it is an enjoyable read nonetheless.

Design & Layout: Understanding & Using Graphics – David Dabner

mei — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 22:31:00 +0000

A design and layout book that provides clear advice and suited for the beginner. I find myself taking notes on basic design principles for shapes, typography, colors and image. Also a brief section on different design projects such as logo, magazines and newsletter.

There are also suggested exercises and projects for each particular topic. Overall, a good book for one starting out with design.

Layout Workbook: A Real-World Guide to Building Pages in Graphic Design – Kristen Cullen

mei — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 17:13:00 +0000

Layout Workbook covers a comprehensive range of topics from development of the creative brief, establishing hierarchy in layout to offering a list of questions to check whether the design is good.

Layout issues such as color, typograpghy, structure of the layout, margins, columns are all touched on in this book. It gives a lot of examples to show how certain methods are used to make an appropriate statement in posters, packaging etc. but it is not a book that is focused on design projects nor specific areas such as logo/ stationery etc.

The Complete Graphic Designer – Ryan Hembree

mei — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 17:07:00 +0000

Complete Graphic Designer is a comprehensive book and I managed to get some useful tips in areas such as general association with colors, graphic design process, creating a visual hierarchy in layout using size, positioning, shapes, color, contrast, movement and issues to consider for different marketing materials such as poster, invitation and catalogue.

Overall, a book suited for beginner or entrepreneurs who like to design their own materials.

Inspirability – Pash, Matt Pashkow

mei — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 16:21:27 +0000

This is a collection of interviews with 40 top designers centred on where they get their insipiration from, which there is actually no magic answer to it.

The designers being interviewed are required to fill in a questionnaire (which in itself, the returned questionnaire is very interesting with some in scribbles and some with drawings), take a picture of their work area and some of their works.

One thing I noticed is that love and God seems a recurring theme among some of the designers. One of it that stands out is a reference to a bible verse Luke 17:32,”Remember Lot’s Wife” where the reminder is to never look back. Another designer, Stefan Bucher, has the almost the same advice ”Failure is never as frightening as regret.”

The Visual Dictionary of Graphic Design – Gavin Ambrose, Paul Harris

mei — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 18:54:00 +0000

This book is a dictionary; where certain art/design terms are given a one page explanation with pictures (hence visual dictionary). A comprehensive dictionary with terms such as abstract expressionsim, art noveau, chroma but it’s not a teach-you-how-to design book. It is a visual dictionary.

Design Basics Index – Jim Krause

mei — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 17:37:00 +0000

This is the first design book that I have read and it is a comprehensive one that covers the basics (as the title says!) but nonethless to be used more for reference. The book covers Composition, Components and Concept which touches on alignment, shapes, colors and themes.

You can check out Jim Krause on his website but it’s a pity that there is no tutorial or free stuff on his site.

什么事都在发生- 朱德庸

mei — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 16:57:00 +0000

The second comic strip that I’ve read from this cartoonist. It’s again a real joy as the book offers a whimsical look at life. It started off with a philosophical view from the cartoonist of being an onlooker of life and then realising that he is going through life (and not just an audience).

Cartoon characters in this book range from child to man and to woman and what they undergo in life. Always entertaining and light hearted, something if it’s in your daily newspapers will definitely brighten your day.

Baby Blues, This is going to be tougher than we thought – Rick Kirkman & Jerry Scott

mei — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 16:45:00 +0000

The first of the Baby Blues series and Wanda and Darryl are first-time parents. Their dialogue are really funny, sincere that I can imagine many parents out there will appreciate!

Great cartoon drawings as usual and the black and white is no impediment to enjoying the strip!