From Lascaux to Brooklyn [Bargain Price] [Hardcover]

Paul Rand (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 21, 1996

Illustrating his ideas with examples of his own graphic designs, as well as an eclectic collection of works, Rand discusses such topics as: the relation between art and business; the presentation of design ideas and sketches to prospective clients; the debate over typographic style; and the aesthetics of combinatorial geometry as applied to the grid. His book should be appropriate for anyone interested in the practice or theory of graphic design.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Back to basics is Rand's refrain in this latest volume of his Yale series (e.g., Design, Form and Chaos, 1993; A Designer's Art, 1985). Visually and verbally arresting, the present title successfully distills major tenets from Rand's critically acclaimed career in graphic design, advertising, and academia. The first half is a primer, complete with large type, of fundamental aesthetic and design principles as appropriate for children, according to the author, as it is for adults. The second half connects elements of quality design to real-world problems through conceptual studies of logo designs, a typographic debate, and an appraisal and elaboration of Henry Petroski's The Evolution of Useful Things (LJ 12/92). Discriminating, erudite, and eclectic in its examples, this work clearly and convincingly communicates Rand's commonsense approach to the pursuit of quality in design theory and process. Highly recommended for all academic libraries.
Russell T. Clement, Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 200 pages
• ISBN-10: 8970591303
• ISBN-13: 978-8970591308
• ASIN: B000EMH5KM
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #858,486 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars A must for Paul Rand afficionados, August 8, 2010

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S. Citron (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: From Lascaux to Brooklyn (Hardcover)

If you love and respect the work of Paul Rand, this book belongs in your collection.

5.0 out of 5 stars It's Not The Work, Its the Words, August 10, 2009

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N. Jacinto "Nonnu" (Moita, Portugal) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: From Lascaux to Brooklyn (Hardcover)

At first I was disappointed when i started SEE the images in this book. But then I started to read it and then it all made sense. As with almost everything Paul Rand has written, this is not a "portfolio showcase" it's more like "Why to I think the way a do". And believe it or not, 90% of the designers need to learn how to think rather then how to "do it". And it's all there in black and white (well not really) as simple to read it as to understand it, as to make it a "second skin"

Sure the 70's and 80's are long gone, but what matters then still matters today. So if you can buy "From Lascaux to Brooklyn" or "A Designer's Art" do it you will not regret it

17 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Where do we go from here?, November 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: From Lascaux to Brooklyn (Hardcover)

I love the simplicity of the book which is a consistent reflection of Paul Rands style. However, I can't help but question his analyzation of so-called primitive art and design. For example he compared early african art to that of childrens art (in a positive way). And while he attempted to praise the art, I think he only succeded in confusing it. African art as well as other artistic expressions by early cultures cannot be analyzed by the same Western eye that we use to scrutinize our own creations. While we would like to think that we understand other cultures the fact is we can't Unless, we are personally involved with that culture. I don't think Rand understood this. He seemed pre-occupied with the mathematical beauty in all the example work, but I think for Early cultures it went way beyond mathematics. Furthermore, while I love his passion for design, I can't help but wonder if he speaks about Design as Art or design as a COMMERCIAL tool. Certaintly, Clients are more concerned with the Marketing component of design as opposed to how beautiful it looks. This is not to say I am against good design. But as more designers confuse Graphic Design with Personal Art, I find that most work is being designed with other designers in mind (and awards) as opposed to the client and his/her customers. Rosser Reeves had the same argument about Copywriters wanting to write elegant prose instead of Sales material. Rand is a great. This book is definitly a must read. But I wonder how many people go along with his philosophies simply hecause of who he is.