Illusive: Contemporary Illustration And Its Context [Hardcover]

Robert Klanten (Editor), Hendrik Hellige (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2007

Today, illustration appears in design-related projects in a wide range of styles. One can find drawings done fleetingly by hand just as often as polished vector graphics created on computers. Motifs are not only being produced in pencil, chalk, airbrush and marker but also by mixing media, for example by combining illustration, photography and wallpaper. But when so many alluring possibilities currently exist in illustration, how can one stay up to date and how should one evaluate new developments?

Illusive is a collection of contemporary illustration from around the world that addresses the variety of existing techniques and puts them into context with explanatory text. It features personal designs alongside fashion illustration and commercial work produced for books or magazines – a diversity that reveals how the medium of illustration functions independently from trends. At the same time the book is also a survey of current tendencies and design approaches. Features introducing leading protagonists supplement the examples shown.

The fact that it presents manifold methods by such a broad spectrum of international designers side by side makes Illusive stimulating and educational reading for the professional illustrator.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 283 pages
• Publisher: Dgv; 4th edition (January 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3899550854
• ISBN-13: 978-3899550856
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 9.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #577,518 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Contemporary Illustration Goldmine, February 5, 2006

By 

WheelOnFire - See all my reviews

This review is from: Illusive: Contemporary Illustration And Its Context (Hardcover)

I've been anticipating the release of this book for some time already. Finally got hold of it, and I can't stop flipping through it. It's definately the BEST book out there right now, if you're looking for a resource of the best contemporary illustrators out there. If you are an illustrator, graphic designer, or fine artist you will find this book indispensible as a source of inspiration. I discover something new every time I look through it.

This book follows the release of popular titles by the same publisher such as "Romantik", "Wonderland" and the "Pictoplasma" series. The book focuses on the new wave of contemporary illustration often using mixed media techniques. It's divided into "chapters" which focus on the techniques, genres and syles themselves such as vector, traditional analog, urban, collage, rock and roll etc. Many of the more prolific contemporary illustrator's, such as Deanne Cheuk are among those featured. My only complaint is that with the vast number of illusatrators represented, they are each only alloted one or two pages on average, and their works are displayed somewhat small so you can't enjoy all the details in some of the works.

I know that there are the Illustrators Annual Index publications which come out every year, and while they serve as a resource like "Illusive" for a reference of names of illustrators out there...I feel that many of those contained within Illusive are not as commercial oriented as they are fine art. Illusive definately blurs the boundaries between contemporary illustration and the realm of fine art.

The print quality is FIRST rate. The inks used are very bright and vivid, and the book is nicely cloth-bound. The retail pricetag alone is worth the many complex vector graphics which are eye-candy.

And BTW, the cover displayed is different.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really great examples of Illustration, May 19, 2006

By 

Firebetty "firebetty" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Illusive: Contemporary Illustration And Its Context (Hardcover)

I am a motion graphic designer, and used this book to give me inspiration... It has fantastic examples of the best in contemporary illustration artwork. A lot of my job is just keeping up with what is going on in the creative world. And this book definitely gives me a glimpse. There is a wide range of styles, concepts, and media. Highly recommended.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GORGEOUS!, January 4, 2007

By 

missyO (Minneapolis) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Illusive: Contemporary Illustration And Its Context (Hardcover)

I bought this book along with the "Bologna Annual Illustrators of Children's Books" catalogue and leave both of them on my coffee table. The illustrations as well as graphic artwork for anything from books to band posters and advertisements are beautiful and very inspiring. I find myself sitting on the couch flipping through it regularly. Well worth the money!