Digital Creativity: Techniques for Digital Media and the Internet [Paperback]

Bruce Wands (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0471390577 | ISBN-13: 978-0471390572 | Publication Date: June 15, 2001

Master the technical skills, creative techniques, and principles of digital design
At last-here is a book that links graphic design fundamentals to the technical and creative knowledge that graphic designers need to work in today's digital and electronic media.
Written by a designer for the designer, Digital Creativity explains computer technology in accessible terms as it covers key topics such as Web design, video, audio, and 2D and 3D animation.
This comprehensive guide presents an overview of the digital production pipeline, shares principles and techniques for all types of new media, and examines how professionals create commercial art and fine art. It is an excellent resource for students and design professionals who need the skills and information necessary to succeed in the highly competitive world of digital design.
* Special features include:
* Interviews with successful digital designers
* Hundreds of illustrations
* End-of-chapter learning exercises
* An information-packed companion Web site
* Coverage of software/hardware issues

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...good advice...overall this is a good overview of media technology for graphic designers..." (Computer Bulletin, September 2002)

From the Back Cover

Master the technical skills, creative techniques, and principles of digital design

At last-here is a book that links graphic design fundamentals to the technical and creative knowledge that graphic designers need to work in today's digital and electronic media.

Written by a designer for the designer, Digital Creativity explains computer technology in accessible terms as it covers key topics such as Web design, video, audio, and 2D and 3D animation.

This comprehensive guide presents an overview of the digital production pipeline, shares principles and techniques for all types of new media, and examines how professionals create commercial art and fine art. It is an excellent resource for students and design professionals who need the skills and information necessary to succeed in the highly competitive world of digital design.
* Special features include:
* Interviews with successful digital designers
* Hundreds of illustrations
* End-of-chapter learning exercises
* An information-packed companion Web site
* Coverage of software/hardware issues

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Wiley (June 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471390577
• ISBN-13: 978-0471390572
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #434,335 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A very poor reference book; incorrect and dated information., October 31, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Digital Creativity: Techniques for Digital Media and the Internet (Paperback)

The author appears to be lost in the sixties (perhaps worse, the '80's). Personal philosophies and idle thoughts are presented as relevant facts. There is a shocking amount of technical errors, even basic optical concepts are incorrect. The interviews have potential but even there the author is so inept that the questions prompt nothing interesting from the contributors. A very disappointing book.

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Test group rated this book as a very poor text., November 22, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Digital Creativity: Techniques for Digital Media and the Internet (Paperback)

Test group rated this book very low: Primary Text = 1, Reference Text = 0, Companion Text = 2.

We conducted a review of seven recent books on digital media for a large university here in Michigan. The criteria was to review each book as a possible text, reference or companion for pre-college and introductory college classes. We assembled a group of college and high school teachers as well as separate group of students.

The panel of students responded very negatively to this book. Their expressed concerns were about the lack of structure and that it did not have enough ÒtechnicalÓ information. They did not find the personality sidebars interesting or relevant. Other students found the tone of the book "condescending." It received the lowest scores of all the books reviewed.

Some of the teachers were more positive but their assessment of this book as a primary text was very low because it Òdoes not present facts or techniques in a way that allows the teacher to either assign specific reading assignments or to test students on the information.Ó Other teachers expressed concern that much of the technical information was not accurate or that it was too vague and not clearly presented. This book was not considered adequate to be a primary text in high school or college.

On the other hand, the teachers that were relatively new to digital technologies were slightly more positive, finding the book "light and a easy to read." This group found the sidebars more interesting because they related to the questions about making the "transition to the digital relm." A subject that the students found to be "dated and boring."

Our two highest rated books by both groups were far more technical and advanced; the Rosebush/Pocock ÔHandbookÕ and the second edition of KerlowÕs ÔThe Art of 3D Computer Animation.Õ In both instances the perceived value was the blend of scholarship and technical clarity. Students found both books relevant to their concerns and teachers were impressed by the presentation and excellent writing. These are two very valuable books that will be relevant resourses for many years.

1.0 out of 5 stars Poorly Written; Technology Hopelessly Out-of-date, November 25, 2009

By 

Bruce Wandmayer "helm's a-lee" (Santa Cruz, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Digital Creativity: Techniques for Digital Media and the Internet (Paperback)

Yes, there is much useful information in this book, but Mr. Wands, although he may know his field, seems to lack the skill to write about it. He evidently used spell check to edit his book. Most of his interviews seem to be from graduates of the school where he teaches, so he may have called in a lot of favors. He uses, as examples, his own creative work, which, from my limited perspective, is professional but less than stellar. The technology is hopelessly out-of-date: a P III is cutting-edge processing? A digital camera with a floppy disk drive? No comment.

I'll bet the highly positive reviews were favors called in by the author.

There is value here but the book could use a major update with a professional editor. You'll learn something but be distracted by the glaring errors.