1,000 Graphic Elements: Details for Distinctive Designs [Paperback]

Wilson Harvey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 4, 2004

Often, the small, delightful details make a piece shine, similar to the way unique buttons on a white shirt can give it an entirely new look. This book explores 1,000 of these embellishments available to graphic designers across all kinds of projects, from books to brochures, invitations to menus, CDs to annual reports.

Exacting photography, which is accompanied by credits outlining the vendors and materials used, focuses on these details. This book invites designers to literally shop for ideas. Content is organized by type; if youÆre in the market for an unusual binding, turn to the bindings section to see a wide collection of fresh ideas.

Other topics covered include fasteners, graphics, unique materials, embossing, debossing, specialty inks, type treatments, interesting color usage, add-ons, die cuts, and much more.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Wilson Harvey is a London-based integrated design and marketing agency with a focus on producing high-end communications for a wide range of clients. Wilson Harvey has designed more than 500 books for a variety of publishers including Berg, Random House, Cond¬ Nast, Pavilion, Quintet, and Rockport. Wilson Harvey is also the author/designer of The Best of Brochure Design 7.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Rockport Publishers (September 4, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159253077X
• ISBN-13: 978-1592530779
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 8.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #442,783 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific resource - one of a kind, January 24, 2005

By 

Yael Miller "designer" (NYC tristate area - USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 1,000 Graphic Elements: Details for Distinctive Designs (Paperback)

To be up-front, a few of my package design pieces have been featured in this book which is a compilation of design ideas from around the world. You may consider me biased because of this, but I have found the work of the designers in this book to be very inspiring and practically useful in my day-to-day design work.

Rockport is the premier design book publisher - and this book is a terrific example of it. The book is divided into sections that zero in on different techniques and effects that designers around the world have utilized to create terrific look and feel for printed pieces.

The book features mostly brochures, annual reports and mailers. A small proportion of packaging is represented.

Harvey Wilson zeros in on effects like hotstamping, folding methods, unusual materials and methods of closure, bindings, type treatments and some graphic treatments. Handy little icons beneath each picture describe the effects that are used.

Like the other reviewer, I thought the last chapter on graphic treatments was far too edgy to be useful to me. (Unless you do a lot of edgy work.)

This book is for those who want to use special effects. This book acts more like a scrapbook of ideas than a design/technique book. You can mix and match many of these ideas - most of which are from cutting edge European design firms and some talented US firms plus others.

I don't know of any book that is quite like this, so it would make a great addition to any design library.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 1000 times I wished I was that good!, May 31, 2006

By 

C. S. Ogryzlo (Pleasantville, NY USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 1,000 Graphic Elements: Details for Distinctive Designs (Paperback)

This is a wonderful book. From front to back it reaches out and messes with your head. So many inspiring examples, so many great minds have been at work. Designer envy is taking hold, and I don't want to put it out of my hands, oh, if only holding it to my head by osmosis all these amazing creative juices would fill my empty creative void. So then, I study and rejoice in finding beautiful, fun, clever and artistic masterpieces that seem so innocently displayed on these pages. You need to see it to believe it. I feel inspired and free again. I will try again, or maybe tomorrow, to be the best designer I can be. I love grapic design!

If only coffee had the same effect on me :)

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Graphic Designer's eye candy, May 27, 2006

By 

Taylor Beck "Taylor Beck" (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 1,000 Graphic Elements: Details for Distinctive Designs (Paperback)

Truly inspiring. This book is a good idea generator, with page after page of projects organized by different graphic elements employed: materials, die cuts, add-ons, embossing, formats, bindings, graphic devices, text, and inks. I gave the book 4 stars because it really lacked more explanation to each example given. I really wished that they would have included what the pictured project was used for and other helpful information like exactly what type of material was used. I suppose that information couldn't be disclosed in a book for the public?? Despite all that, the book still proves useful. I'm very satisfied with my purchase.