The Layout Book (Required Reading Range) [Paperback]

Gavin Ambrose (Author), Paul Harris (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 13, 2007 | ISBN-10: 2940373531 | ISBN-13: 978-2940373536

Most books just tell how to do layout. "The Layout Book" explains the hows, whys, and why nots of layout. A historical overview of layout, from the early scribes to today, is followed by a systematic look at key theoretical principles and practical applications. A selection of great layout designs and more than 300 illustrations in full color and black-and-white provides ideas and insight. Invaluable for design students, helpful to working designers looking for a better understanding of layout design, "The Layout Book" is unique and uniquely inspiring.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Gavin Ambrose, a graphic designer, is the author and designer of books on branding, packaging, and editorial design. He lives in Kent, UK.

Paul Harris is a freelance writer, journalist, and editor, and an author on books about packaging design and design principles. He lives in Chile.

Product Details

• Paperback: 193 pages
• Publisher: Ava Publishing (November 13, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 2940373531
• ISBN-13: 978-2940373536
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 8.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #344,048 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good, basic introduction to layout, January 18, 2008

By 

Line Lisberg Refstrup - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Layout Book (Required Reading Range) (Paperback)

I am a student at a designschool in Denmark (third year), and I bought "The Layout Book" by Ambrose/Harris. This book is a good and basic introduction to graphic design. Maybe a bit to basic I realize, but still good. It has a short historic view and treats subjects like The Golden Section, The grid, and Typography in a very basic manner. A good introduction, and perfect for new students of graphic design or people with beginning interest for this field. I give it four stars because it really is good for beginners, but realize I probably should have bought a book the deepens more into the subject.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good book on layout principles but not an advanced overview, August 19, 2010

By 

stg - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Layout Book (Required Reading Range) (Paperback)

The Layout Book is described as providing an advanced overview of layout design. Whilst I thoroughly enjoyed the book and found the content relevant and useful it is worth noting that I do not believe the book to be an advanced overview. As another review has pointed out the book is not specific on several areas, instead it provides a useful overview of a lot of different subject matter relating to layout. In places this can feel hurried (although justified by the relevance of those sections) and if you are looking for certain subject matters such as the grid it may well be worth consulting a more specific text. If however, you are looking for a solid overview to layout design this book is great.

The layout of the book itself is impeccable (as it should be) and provides an easy to follow satisfying read. The examples of contemporary work shown are suitable but limited in their sources and as a result potentially limit the diversity possible in this subject. In terms of navigating around and finding useful information this book is great, it's sat on my shelf and easy to jump into at any point to provide inspiration and advice. I'd definitely recommend it for students and practising designers. It provides enough depth and detail to grab your attention on specific areas of the subject.

Overall this book is really easy to read and covers layout principles well. Unfortunately I think its downfall is it tries to make us aware of how layout principles are relevant in each aspect of everyday life and whilst I agree, in doing this, the author has had to cover a multitude of subjects and in some cases in a limited fashion. In places subjects such as Architecture and Interior Design appear which are truly relevant but they lack any real detail. If people are aware of how this provides a great introduction to the subject of Layout then I think they won't be disappointed, in reading this you'll learn a lot and discover new areas of interest to be explored at your own pleasure.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The collaborative work of freelance writer, journalist and editor, December 2, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Layout Book (Required Reading Range) (Paperback)

The collaborative work of freelance writer, journalist and editor Paul Harris and professional graphic designer Gavin Ambrose, "The Layout Book" is a profusely illustrated introduction to the basic principles of graphic design as they have been employed for in the worlds of fashion, the principles of architecture, the creation of art, and the organization of the illustrated printed page. With a wealth of images ranging from magazine covers, to maps, to packaging design, "The Layout Book covers everything from the use of white space, to the measurement of images, to the balancing of lines and geometrical spacing of individual elements into something that is so much greater than the mere assembled sum of its parts. The transformation of image and proportion into graphically designed works of art. "The Layout Book" is the perfect introduction for graphic art design students, and will prove to be of immense interest to non-specialist general readers with an interest in art and design as well. Also very highly recommended from AVA Publishing is Tony Gibbs' "Fundamentals of Sonic Art and Sound Design".