Customer Reviews

The 7 Essentials of Graphic Design

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

A so-so introduction to design principles, marred by a misleading typography chapter. Simply put, Ms. Goodman's use of terminology is often wrong: for example, she uses the term Modern as a label for all sans-serifs, then classifies Bodoni as a Transitional; she calls Optima and Gill Sans Grotesques â€" they're not â€", and, most galling, she manages to get the definitions of "font" and "typeface" exactly backwards. Mere details? Perhaps, but one can easily make the argument that typography is about details. As far as the rest of the book is concerned, though it has some nice examples, the layout makes it difficult to use as a reference, and the text fails to provide much of a historical context. It is also almost exclusively American.

This book offers a rather general overview of graphic design, and does that job pretty well. The seven essentials referred to in the title are: research, typography, contrast, layout, the grid system, identity design and critique/analysis. The author does a good job giving the basics of each of these elements.

The problem with books on design is that the authors and publishers feel compelled to "design" the book. This book suffers from that affliction. The examples in the book are relevant and appreciated and the graphics in the introductory pages and in between chapters, while unnecessarily artsy, are not objectionable.

The biggest fault in this book? The typography - several times over! The layout of the text is distracting and occasionally hard to follow, but the choice of typeface and size is totally beyond comprehension. Unless this book was designed only for those under the age of thirty who have perfect (or better) vision, the designer missed her/his mark. It is very tiring and difficult to read and, being over fifty, I found my eyes begging for relief.

So - content is OK, though in a minimalist sense. Overall design of the book is what would be expected of a design book. But do not buy this book if you have any trouble reading small type, or at the least, buy a magnifying glass at the same time. You'll need it.

I'll start off with the only compliment I can muster up: the content is 'alright.' Besides mediocre content, this book is terrible!

The layout is horrible and the typography is a perfect textbook example of how NOT to write a design book. This book is on the essentials of Graphic Design and its obvious, by the author's lack of understanding of typography, that she does NOT have a firm grasp on them.

Please please please find a better book on graphic design essentials, but if you must read this one, check it out from a library first.

As a first-year design student, I found Goodman's book inspiring. A great reference tool that helps bring clarity and focus to the subject of design. Written in a friendly, insightful manner, the book includes excellent examples of all forms of graphic design from famous to not-so-famous designers. I've used it as a supplement to my required reading.

This is an excellent primer for non-professionals and students, as well as a helpful reference for teachers. Goodman has chosen contemporary, accessible examples (not just the esoteric, self-congratulatory ones found in design annuals) to illustrate the basic tenets of designing for communication. Finally, there's an informed, well-designed alternative to Robin Williams' books. Before you dive into that next brochure or flier, get this book!

I've had this book since close to the time it was originally published in 2001, but had never read it. Now I'm embarking on a project for which I need this type of information, so I dug the book out of its box and attempted to read it. Then I realized why I'd never gotten past the first few pages. The type of the main text throughout the book is extremely small, maybe 7 point! What is the purpose of that? It's not that the book was so crammed full of information that she couldn't fit in larger type; she must have thought it was really cute to use the tiny type with three blank lines between each typed line to achieve that all that all-important white space!

Ms. Goodman could stand to learn an 8th design element: i.e., make the design user friendly. I forced myself to read through the book, skipping over a lot because of eyestrain, but now that I've finished, it's going directly to a used book store.

Where my reveiw is coming from is a student of graphic design and who has read 5-8 books on the subject.

This full color book is condensed but has great information. It is very useful to someone new to design but also has some great areas to read for the more experienced designer as well such as ways to help solve design issues, a good approach on research for design, and working with clients in touched upon.

Good design examples employed from a variety of sources not just the author. The design of the book reinforces the idea that good design should make reading fun and most importantly convey the intended message which I think she does masterfully.

She listed the essentials to design in a unique approach that I have not seen else where. A lot of the design elements which in other books is given a full chapter on is contained in the chapter entitled "Contrast." I like to have things explained to me in a variety of ways so it was helpful to read about from a different angle.

This books sets up the basics for every design problem. Keep these in mind and you'll have successful results every time. Perfect for students of design or those just starting out. Learn what all successful designers know.