Catalog Design: The Art of Creating Desire [Paperback]

Dianna Edwards (Author), Robert Valentine (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 3, 2003 | Series: Graphic Design

Examining the lucrative, competitive and challenging world of catalogue design, this volume profiles some of today's most beautiful and controversial catalogues, including Neiman Marcus, Habitat, Martha by Mail, Banana Republic and Abercrombie & Fitch. It considers how the best catalogues forge emotional connections that make us not just comfortable, but eager to buy. With photographs and historical and descriptive text, the book demonstrates the how, why and what-if of great catalogue 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. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Dianna Edwards specializes in creative writing for and about graphic design and advertising. She is a contributor to Step Inside Graphics and Oz Magazine. Edwards teaches creative writing and ethics at the Portfolio Centre, in Atlanta, Georgia. Robert Valentine has provided strategic brand positioning for clients ranging from the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art in New York City, to the White House and Target. His work is part of the permanent collections at the Cooper Hewitt Museum, the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Smithsonian Institution. The headquarters of the Valentine Group is in New York City.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Rockport Publishers (March 3, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1564969703
• ISBN-13: 978-1564969705
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,922,000 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.