Customer Reviews

Design Drawing

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As a beginning architecture student I found the book to be most helpful. It contains excellent illustations on shading and shadow techniques, and on developing architectural perspectives. The CD-rom version is especially helpful in explaining some of the basic concepts. I would highly recomend this book to those interested in design architecture.

This book was recommended to me by an architect teacher of mine. After reading through it and browsing through the cd-rom that comes with it....I am very pleased that I got it. It contains all of the basics that you will need for drawing(perspective, isometric drawings, art terms).

Way too fast for learning to draw. Like most of Chings stuff it lacks narrative and aims at getting you to think visually. However first timers need a bit of narrative hand holding so I would suggest something else. Might be good for a 2nd book to help reinforce concepts visually after you already have some base confidence in the drawing.

"Design Drawing" is a superb book, containing all the core essentials of drawing in one place. The clarity of the author's writing is superb, and his illustrations excellent (pun intended). However, it should be remembered that drawing and illustration are quintessentially kinesthetic. The techniques cannot really be understood, let alone mastered, without actually putting pen or pencil to paper. Each and every exercise should be completed, and not just once but repeatedly until they are mastered. Doing so develops the necessary eye for seeing what is to be illustrated, and also the eye-hand coordination required to transfer an image from the mind to paper.

Also necessary for design drawing is a firm understanding of the conventions used in technical and architectural illustrations. These conventions and mathematical constructions can seem bewildering to the newcomer. Many books on the subject have not made the subject easier, nor have they eased the newcomer's fears of the subject. This book is outstanding in presenting the various drawing conventions clearly and simply, thus reducing or eliminating the mystery altogether. The examples provided are clear and illustrate the author's points well (as they should in such a book!).

The book is divided into three main sections: The first section, "Drawing from Observation" (Chapters 1-4), which addresses illustrating what one sees, with exercises focused on training the eye and the hand. The second section, "Drawing Systems" (Chapters 5-8), describes the formal conventions used in technical and architectural illustration. The formal constructions are described clearly, and the exercises reinforce each point made and each technique. The final section, "Drawing from Imagination" (Chapters 9-12), takes the student to the next level. Again, the exercises are well chosen to develop and reinforce the ideas and techniques described in the text.

A final note: The disappointed (1-star) reviewer who saw insufficient information on shading cannot have read the book well, if at all. The information is there, but each artist must develop his or her own techniques for establishing tonal values. Mr. Ching discusses the need for and use of such tonal values succinctly and clearly. All the information required is present, and permeates the book. For instance, Chapter 2 spends considerable time on the subject of "Tone and Texture," and on developing a tonal scale -- shading, in other words. Chapter 4, on "Space and Depth," addresses the use of tonal values -- shading -- to lend volume to images presented on a flat surface. Chapters 6, 7, and 8 each have a section on the use of shade and shadows. The whole last section draws on and includes the lessons on shade and shadows and tonal values introduced earlier in the book. Quite simply, the 1-star review is not understandable, in light of the content of the book.

As with any book describing technique, there is no simple, easy way to acquire the necessary talent and techniques. This book will not instantly infuse the reader with certain skills. However, it will guide the student who follows the exercises and practices in developing a visually rewarding capability.

While Ching does cover some aspects of drawing outside of those needed for drafting, the primary focus is on architectural drafting. This is a technical book intended for design students. It is not a do-it-yourself learn-to-draw manual. Most often, this book will be a textbook in a design class. As such, it is excellent. The instructions are clear and well written, the drawings are simple and easy to follow, the flow of the book is natural, building from very simple to more and more complex drafting skills. This book can take you from elementary drafting skills to advanced if you use it as intended. All in all, this is an excellent book on design drawing. I highly recommend it for anyone entering the design field.

When I read the title of this book I thought it will focus in the sketch as a tool for design....it's not.

Pretty sketches and great hand drawing techniques. I strongly recommend this book to somebody who wants to learn how to sketch, but look for other books if you want to get to understand and/or learn about the sketch as an idea in design.

i purchased this book as required text for an upcoming class and got more than i bargained for...the book is informative, fascinating, and inspiring and i haven't been able to put it down...i am really looking forward to utilizing the book in the classroom setting to in order to explore some of the concepts presented, particularly those that are more elusive to grasp...because the book uses exercises to really cement in the main idea of each of its concepts, it is an invaluable learning tool...i highly recommend this book to anyone interested in developing a deeper understanding and appreciation of drawing and design.

if you are an architect student or interested in architecture you must get all of his books. They are perect for a better understanding about anything that has to deal with architecture.

This book is very good for designers, and you can learn many details of drawing from this book. Also, it was a very good price to buy it with Amazon (cheapest than other stores).

This is a comperhensive book about all drawing systems essential as basic knowledge for architects in their beginning study ...