Inspiration=ideas: A Creativity Sourcebook for Graphic Designers [Paperback]

Petrula Vrontikis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2002

In the modern world it seems that only the freshest designs get noticed, while dominating trends and carbon-copy successes can often trap designers into "been there, done that" mediocrity. The first half of this work sees 20 designers, including Wolfgang Weingart and Margo Chase, reveal the unique and diverse places in which they find inspiration and show how they incorporate these sources into their work. Whether it be a city, a person, a movie or a piece of garbage, inspiration comes in many forms and being able to recognize and harness its power is half the battle. The second half of the book opens the door to a new way of seeing by delivering a stream of imagery and ideas straight to designers' desktops. It looks at "found design" where inspiration comes not from finished designs but from textures, colours, patterns and primitive, offbeat imagery.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Petrula Vrontikis is Creative Director of Vrontikis Design Office, a full-service graphic communication design firm in Los Angeles. In 1998 she joined the faculty of the Art Center's Communication and New Media Graduate Program. Petrula lectures at universities, to professional organizations, and at conferences nationwide about her work and about graphic design education and inspiration. Work from Vrontikis Design Office has won national and international design awards. In addition, her work receives ongoing recognition in Graphis, Print, Critique, CA, How and numerous other design publications, where she is an occasional editorial contributor. Petrula has held positions on the advisory board of the American Institute of Graphic Arts, Los Angeles Chapter, and is presently a National Advisory Board member of the AIGA.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Rockport Publishers; 1 edition (May 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1564968669
• ISBN-13: 978-1564968661
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #991,041 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Imagination comes from things that move youthis will!-H.R., June 29, 2002

By 

Hank Richardson (Atlanta, GA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Inspiration=ideas: A Creativity Sourcebook for Graphic Designers (Paperback)

No doubt, professionals will enjoy Petrula's book, but as an educator I'd especially recommend it to design students and young designers considering or entering the field. This breathtakingly beautiful volume, chocked with gorgeous images, is so simple and elegant in its structure, you can flip to any page, any name, and be moved, inspired, stimulated, and informed. The first half is like a window into the minds of your favorite designers, giving you a peek at what drives them to create and what is born of that drive. The last half of the book is a salvo of spectacular, superlative found images that will force you to raise your own bar. As the title says, inspiration equals ideas, and there is much inspiration to be gleaned from these pages.
Hank Richardson, President, Portfolio Center, Atlanta, Ga.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It Fed My (Designer's) Soul, July 29, 2002

By 

Valeria L. Price (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Inspiration=ideas: A Creativity Sourcebook for Graphic Designers (Hardcover)

I had hurt my back earlier this summer, and read this book from cover to cover during my recovery. It was SUCH a treat, and there was so much more to it than your average design book.

The layout of the book is beautiful and innovative. Within the structure, the elements in each chapter would change colors or form to reflect the inspiration of the highlighted designer.

I think what is most appealing about this book is that it includes the spiritual and philisophical motivations behind the design process as viewed by these designers. It was a way to get to know some of these talented designers, and to realize that many of the things that motivate and inspire them, also stir my creative juices. It also enlightened me to the fact that everything we do that feeds our soul - whether it be spending time in nature, appreciating a disintigrating billboard, or listening to music we love, is fuel for our creativity.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Have for Creatives, October 25, 2002

By 

Hollis W. Duncan (Atlanta, GA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Inspiration=ideas: A Creativity Sourcebook for Graphic Designers (Paperback)

Petrula pours herself heart and soul into insipiration=ideas' pages. From its loud purple and orange cover to its innovative page layout and design, inspiration=ideas is stuffed with creative samples-posters, packaging, book jackets, logos, illustrations-inspirational photographs, honest advice, text and quotes. Inspiration=ideas is an essential reference for creative types-designers, art directors, illustrators, photographers and writers. Or anyone who has a care to be pushed and inspired.

An intoxicating read, inspiration=ideas is frequently off my shelf and in my hands-right where it belongs.