Basics Illustration: Thinking Visually [Paperback]

Mark Wigan (Author)

Book Description

Series: Basics Illustration | Publication Date: October 11, 2006

The first book in the Basics Illustration series, this book introduces and explores the challenge of the visual interpretation of text. Conceptual and interpretive illustration, experimental mark making, observational and intuitive drawing, the importance of visual metaphors, image construction, satire, the fusion of traditional and digital, research and archiving, cultural developments, and current issues--all aspects of the craft of illustration are presented here, with complete, authoritative text and visuals. Designed for students, but packed with thoughtful ideas and comprehensive insight, Basics Illustration: Thinking Visually provides a broad understanding of illustration in the context of communication design.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Artist and academic Mark Wigan has a prgogressive multi-disciplinary approach to illustration, working internationally in a range of media, and he is program leader in Graphic Design at Chichester University, UK.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Ava Publishing; 1st edition (October 11, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 2940373159
• ISBN-13: 978-2940373154
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #483,845 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good intentions but unimaginative writing, February 14, 2010

By 

Adrian D. Nedelcu "Technician, gamer, part ti... - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Basics Illustration: Thinking Visually (Paperback)

Having bought the entire AVA Academia range of Illustration books, I've read several of them already and know what to expect. It's a great series, however, Basics Illustration: Thinking Visually by Mark Wigan could have been easily improved with minor tweaking. Much of the information contained within is just echoed from "The Fundamentals of Illustration."

I understand that this is an 'introductory' level book, so I wasn't expecting anything life changing in it. The book has several areas where it lists further research for styles and contemporary trends in the industry. This is great; this is exactly what the book needed to deliver. The book also suggest projects for individual improvement as well as guidelines by which to judge and challenge oneself.

So why did I give it only four stars? (Really merits 3 1/2, but Amazon doesn't expressly give you that option.)

The writing seems at times lazy and cringe-inducing. Mr. Wigan is a good illustrator but is also a 'lister', and much of the text is one gigantic, unreadable, stale block of solid text with only commas for comfort. To ILLUSTRATE as it were, imagine if you were reading a 160 page book where most of the text was run-on, repetitive, redundant, listless, uninspired, overly didactic, systematic, expected, uninterrupted, rambling, dry, foreseen, bland, stale, robotic, programmed, trance-like, stagnant, blurry, unnecessary, echoing, monotonous, drivelling, homogenous, and mediocre.

To be fair, reading the last part of my review is a little too critical. It might have been the only way to condense the text, but the problem could have been more innovatively solved. This is one of the few series of books on the subject that is well developed and fairly continuous in its level of quality and visual polish. It's just the listing that marrs the title, severely, at times.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Thinking visually, but not typographically, August 4, 2008

By 

Jan Tabery (Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Basics Illustration: Thinking Visually (Paperback)

This book is OK for inspiration thanks to its illustrations, but not very good for reading. The type setting is so poor, that your eyes get tired after reading one page. The author was thinking visually, but somehow forgot, that most books are meant to be read. This one will end up just to flip through. So, if you are thinking about buying it, look around, there are better books. Masters of Poster Design by John Foster is well worth the money for example.

5.0 out of 5 stars What a Handbook!, August 17, 2010

By 

Ro5ie - See all my reviews

This review is from: Basics Illustration: Thinking Visually (Paperback)

This is a really useful handbook which considers the value of ideas, research and experimentation in the design process in a thought provoking way. The book teaches the reader how to think visually; balancing the need to work creatively with that of meeting deadlines.
The author places each area of discussion in its historical context, including any precedents, which is really useful. The book uses a variety of clever examples from The Illustrated Ape to Ian Pollock to Andrew Rae.
The variety of working examples is in keeping with the author's emphasis on the variable role an illustrator must play in their career. This could be a little daunting but, as a result of the author's enthusiasm, it is actually very creative and inspiring.