Graphic Design and Reading: Explorations of an Uneasy Relationship [Paperback]

Gunnar Swanson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1581150636 | ISBN-13: 978-1581150636 | Publication Date: July 15, 2000 | Edition: 1st

In this eclectic collection, thought-provoking essays from a wide range of perspectives explore the multifaceted interaction between graphic design and reading.

These writings discuss various kinds of established reading patterns-from magazine browsing to online reading to contemplating a one-word poster. All of these settings for graphic design, and many more, offer springboards for investigating the complex relationship between typography and content-a fascinating exploration for graphic designers, teachers, and students.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This collection explores the relationship between reading and the graphic arts, that is, the art of the printed page. The 18 essays some less readable than others are written by a variety of specialists in the field, commentators as well as practitioners. Chapter titles such as "The New Calligraphic Renaissance," "Electronic Typography: The New Visual Language," and "The Myth of Content and the Encyclopedestrianization of Communication" give a clue as to the overall scope of the book as well as providing an idea of the relative density of most of the prose. No light reading here; the overall tone is more self-consciously polysyllabic and pretentious than scholarly (or even particularly factual). And illustrations scattered throughout too often shed little light on the accompanying text. Although a few diehard theorists and possibly some students of communications will love this book, most design libraries can do without it. Margarete Gross, Chicago P.L.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Among the similarly excellent readers put out in recent years by Allworth Press." -- Communication Arts

“...this rich and fundamental text will inspire both students and practitioners of graphic design and typography...” -- Laurie Haycock Makela, chair, 2D Department, Cranbrook Academy of Art

“This book offers a banquet of succulent opinions on graphic design...” -- Massimo Vignelli

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Allworth Press; 1st edition (July 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581150636
• ISBN-13: 978-1581150636
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,635,127 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Poor graphic design impedes my ability to read this book, August 25, 2004

By 

Joe Beets "User and Reader of Books" (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Graphic Design and Reading: Explorations of an Uneasy Relationship (Paperback)

This book contains a number of valuable essays on the relationship between reading and graphic design. Ironically and unfortunately, it is so flawed in its own design that I get angry when I try to read it and put it back on the shelf before finishing a chapter. I'm ready to throw it in the trash. That the author and organizer of this book was also the designer/typographer/illustrator undermines its credibility. The page design has no relationship to the format of the book. The text and titles are lost in the gutter because not enough space has been left for the binding. The images are badly reproduced and so filled in that they are dead spaces in each chapter. Many of the chapters begin with corrupted type...where was GS for the press checks? The author's attempt at illustration with marbled paper doesn't make any sense, is comical and the book was printed with the grain of the paper running horizontally so the pages cannot be opened and are cockling along the foredge. Grrrr.
Perhaps these essays can be re-published with a more knowledgeable and sensitive designer at the helm. The authors and readers deserve this.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars an excellent resource for any typographic library, October 24, 2002

By 

plain*clothes - See all my reviews

This review is from: Graphic Design and Reading: Explorations of an Uneasy Relationship (Paperback)

I wrote a lengthy and very flattering review for this book here the other day. I hope this very brief version makes it through so people won't be deterred by some of the other reviews.

I simply want to say that this book ranks among my most treasured resources in a fairly extensive typographic library. Gunnar is a well educated man in the ways of typography and has used that knowledge to assemble essays of value to both the typographic designer and type designer.

any issues one may take with the design are purely subjective. the layout and design treatment function quite nicely and give adequate focus to the question at hand. there has been no time in my reading of this volume that I ever found it to be anything but comfortable and effecient (accepting a few PostScript errors in its production which are only slightly distracting).

I recommend this book for experienced typographers looking for a little intellectual challenge as well as students only beginning to explore the issues of typography.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars an excellent addition to any typographic library, October 22, 2002

By 

D. A. Holman - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Graphic Design and Reading: Explorations of an Uneasy Relationship (Paperback)

let me first say that the two February 2002 reviewers are out of their minds. the articles Swanson compiled/commissioned are superb! from controversial contemporaries such as Hrant Papazian to unquestionable typographic staples such as Beatrice Warde, Swanson has covered his bases. each and every article provides invaluable insight into topics for both the typographic designer and the type designer alike.

"The essays although well written didn't really say anything" (William Benard from Minneapolis, MN)
if anyone finds themselves with this sentiment, you may be lacking some basic knowledge needed to understand the issues. the authors have done a fine job of covering important problems, but these are short format articles and they would be hard pressed to frame the entire argument for all levels of readership.

"leave the exploration of graphic design and reading (books) to the qualified... the reader. Why should the heady designer try to redefine what reading is?" (A reader from In a state of...)
unfortunately, reading is largely subconscious. the many variables that affect reading comprehension and speed are not even recognized by the reader. psycologists have conducted coutless studies to try to assist in the design of books. however, the designers are ultimately the ones who need to discuss and be educated in these matters.

in terms of design, he has certainly illustrated the question of the uneasy relationship, but I found the structure to be quite readable. if anything, I was disappointed with the cover treatment, but it's just a matter of taste. if this were a long reading text book or novel I might question his technique; but given the short essay format, his occasional illustrations penetrating the margins are quite refreshing.

I rate _Graphic Design & Reading_ among the most essential design theory works in my library.