Catalog Design: The Art of Creating Desire [Hardcover]

Dianna Edwards (Author), Robert Valentine (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2001

Catalogs, magalogs, and netlogs will be a $100 million business by 2001. The ability to design a compelling catalog can make even experience designers more competitive. Perhaps just as important , catalogs are creative challenge almost irresistible to those who truly love graphic design. This book demonstrates the how, and why, and the what-if of great catalog design.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Catalog Design: The Art of Creating Desire profiles some of the most beautiful work, from some of the best designers, in the world. Include are Neiman Marcus (The Book), Takashimaya, Habitat (London), Martha by Mail, Interface North America, Banana Republic, Abercrombie & Fitch, Patagonia, and more.

About the Author

Dianna Edwards specializes in creative writing for and about graphic design and advertising. She is a regular contributor to Oz Magazine, and the former editor of Ego Magazine and The Show South Annual, both publications of The Creative Club of Atlanta. Edwards teaches Creative Writing and Ethics at The Portfolio Center in Atlanta, where she serves as co-counsel of the writing curriculum.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Rockport Publishers (March 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1564967514
• ISBN-13: 978-1564967510
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,119,705 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended reading for students of American business, May 17, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Catalog Design: The Art of Creating Desire (Hardcover)

Dianna Edwards and Robert Valentine effectively collaborate in Catalog Design: The Art Of Creating Desire to showcase some of the most effective and trend setting developments and examples of the catalog as an American art form in service to the business of selling goods through promoting images. Of special interest is the opening chapter on the history of the catalog and its impact on the popular culture as well as individual aspirations. Profusely illustrated throughout, Catalog Design is highly recommended reading for students of American business, catalog designers, and anyone who ever picked up and leafed through a mail-order "dream book".

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I don't get it., January 19, 2009

By 

Dr. Littlejohn "Book lover" (Athens, GA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Catalog Design: The Art of Creating Desire (Hardcover)

I bought this book to gain an understanding on how to design catalogs that make people want to buy. In my mind, I envisioned the jewelry ads that make you want gold even though you don't usually buy that sort of thing. And, I was looking for something doable - like in a home studio. But, it's more of a high end art book featuring examples of magazine type ads. What does it teach? Here are the chapters: Desire, Relevance, Trust, Resonance, Connection. The font is really, really big and changes throughout - which I find distracting. There are fancy pictures throughout with elaborate scenes and models. It's mostly abstract advertising - not catalog design. I'm sure that this is a great book for the right person. But, I don't get it.