Design Principles and Problems [Paperback]

Paul Zelanski (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1984 | ISBN-10: 0030511666 | ISBN-13: 978-0030511660 | Edition: First Edition

This comprehensive text is now updated and includes equitable coverage of fine and commercial art. Media and methods span from the traditional to computer design, and a global emphasis reveals the design solutions seen around the world. The critiquing process begun in the analysis of student examples will be useful to students preparing for applied design disciplines. The art of women and non-Western cultures provide a broad base of visual examples.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt School; First Edition edition (March 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0030511666
• ISBN-13: 978-0030511660
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,953,183 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

61 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This book has many strengths, but some important weaknesses, October 20, 1999

By 

Richard Hellman ([e-mail]) (Baltimore, Maryland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Design Principles and Problems (Paperback)

I have used Design Principles and problems for several years to teach Basic Two-Dimensional Design to both art majors and non-art majors. It is clearly written and well structured, with emphasis on the design principles and elements. I particularly like the chapters on the Unifying Principles, Shape and Form, and Color.

There are many excellent projects and student examples, plus an explanation of what each project is trying to achieve.

I do find, however, that I have to suppliment the text with a few chapters from other books and my own notes. Particularly, I am referring to the lack of any depth on the importance of the grid as one important formal way to create structure. Another area I find lacking is a chapter on structure itself with the many sources in nature as examples. The importance of the use of the Golden Mean is also not covered, even while it is still used by many contemporary artists and was used by many artists in 19th century as an understructure in creating a painting. For instance, the analysis on Seurat's "Circus Sideshow" talks about the repetition of the brush strokes, textures, colors, and gaslights as a means to unify the picture but neglects the fact that the entire picture is divided up into squares and rectangles with a loose grid formed by the continuation of the edges of figures and rectangles. It is at once an asymmetrical picture with strong use of approximate symmetry on both sides of the central musician. The Golden Mean is at work in the creation of the proportions in this picture yet is never mentioned.

Because of these shortcomings I continue to look for alternatives and go back to using classics like Lauer's Design Basics from time to time, supplimented with examples from Wucius Wong's books and those of my own students.

All in all, though, Design Principles and Problems has many strengths and it most definitely belongs in your library if you teach Basic Design.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars This Has to be Part of the Textbook Mafia, December 3, 2007

By 

T. Campbell - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Design Principles and Problems (Paperback)

There is no way I can give five stars for this book at this price. Only something purporting to be a textbook could get away with this. It is no wonder that college/university students are banding together to split the cost of books, priced as this is, buying from the internet used market, or forgoing the purchase all together.

Its presentation is insulting given its already injurious price. While the content and illustrations do their jobs well, there is no color until about 80% through the book. Any number, maybe most of the illustrations could or should have been presented in color. If there is a point to be shown in a monochrome image, fine. This book was last printed in 1996. The price is today's inflated textbook price. Any book about art, with anything near this one's price should be full of color, anywhere it can be used.

This is a $50 book - max.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Design Principles and Problems, December 26, 2003

By 

"bryteeyez" (Arkansas, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Design Principles and Problems (Paperback)

This book is beneficial in learning the vocabulary and basics of Graphic Design. I did find that it was necessary to go outside the book to fully understand Principles of Unity. The book is an excellent resource for the beginning Graphics Major.