Customer Reviews

Graphic Design as a Second Language: Bob Gill (Hands on Graphics S.)

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Anyone can learn to use a computer and exotic software.
It's having and executing a great idea that separates the pros from the copy shop hacks.
Bob Gill, widely acknowledged as "the best of the best," is a brilliant designer who has written the only books I've ever read that actually teach you "how" to develop a successful graphic design concept.
Without usign any exotic software tricks Gill gets right to the heart of the matter and shares, in example after example, his personal solutions to a variety of design problems.
If you really want to learn how to be a graphic designer, this is the book you need to read.

This excellent book details the work process used by the famed graphic artist Bob Gill. The author defines graphic design as organizing a problem and then providing a superior solution. He says that a great designer must find a way of making the problem interesting. "Unless you can begin with an interesting problem, it is unlikely you will end up with an interesting solution."

The structure of the book follows this method through numerous real-world projects. For each example, the author describes the original problem (e.g. create a logo for a company that makes very small models). Then the problem is redefined (e.g. create a logo that, even when enlarged to cover the side of a truck, seems small). Then his solution to the problem is shown (e.g. the small logo is gingerly held between the thumb and index finger of a large hand). The various chapters (Connections, Found Objects, Clich?s, etc.) show a variety of ways that redefining the problem may be accomplished.

Many of the design examples from his portfolio are somewhat dated (the author even mentions this fact), but that's of little importance. The book provides a general work process to follow and he succeeds brilliantly - his method is fantastically useful.

This book is great. Aside from any typographical issue with the book the information is proven worth while. The book opens your mind to see relationships between concept and execution that will actually reach your target audience. You learn some of the "common sense" of what graphic design that requires a genius to point out in a simple and straight forward manner.

After reading all the rave reviews I ordered this book and after flipping through it, decided to return it. Nothing was remotely inspiring. Supposedly pro, but book design and layout design amateurish. Like 2 spaces set between sentences? Save your money.