The New Graphic Design School (Paperback)

by Alan Swann (Author), Alan Graphic Design School Swann (Author) "Sight is a process by which our brains decode the visual stimuli received from the eyes and turn these into an image of solid objects..." (more)
Key Phrases: spirit markers, exploratory drawing, tonal effects (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
An excellent self-teaching guide, this new edition of the bestselling Graphic Design School features up-to-date graphics. It teaches readers how to solve graphic problems, and introduces students to the world of commercial graphic design practice. In addition, a wealth of step-by-step examples encourage artistic expression and individual interpretation. 25 color photos, 299 color illus., 275 b&w illus.

From the Back Cover
A thorough, carefully structured course in graphic design compiled by a practising designer with 20 years of experience Completely revised and updated to cover computer-aided design and the use of software applications in all aspects of commercial design Practical guidance on design for magazines, books, packaging, advertising, and corporate design Tips on producing professional work from leading design practitioners Illustrated in full color throughout, including projects for students to work through and solutions to real-life problems --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Van Nostrand Reinhold Company; 2nd edition (June 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0442025491
• ISBN-13: 978-0442025496
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,084,792 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars This was good 7 years ago, February 26, 2007

By	Jameson Gray "Tiger Ox" (Milwaukee, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Graphic Design School, Third Edition (Paperback)

Graphic Design School has some useful tools for beginners, but more than half of the book is outdated. Graphic Design School has a few sections on design theory, and more than half the book are tutorials in photoshop, illustrator, etc.

The book boasts a bit how today you cannot talk about or teach graphic desing without addressing technology, This is where the book faulters. Technology tchanges so quickly now that this book's many tutorials end up being very obsolete (pre adobe CS). It would have been nice if this came with a CD that could get updates for tutorials, etc. A book like this needs to make a new edition atleast every 2 years to keep up.

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Graphic Design School, June 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Graphic Design School (Paperback)

This book teaches the basic principles of graphic design as they are currently taught and learned. Graphic Design School is a must for any new designer or design student who is a visual learner, which of course most designers are. There are many examples of student's work. The next best thing to being in the classroom, because you can compare your progress with other students, and thus determine your viability in what can be a very competitive field.

Also and excellent teaching tool for more advanced designers, a back-to-basic guide for solving graphic problems and blocks.

Text includes many color photos and illustrations. Easy to follow along and genuinely interesting.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must for Web Designers, January 5, 2001

By	Linda A. Goin "goinhome" (Louisville) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Graphic Design School (Paperback)

I have met many web designers who have never learned the basic skills of graphic design. "Graphic design School" is the best book out there today on learning the techniques and tools for basic graphic design practices. Swann covers the 'Language of Design,' 'Principles and Techniques' and 'Commercial Practice.' Short, concise and beautifully illustrated to relay the importance of knowing this craft for a solid design foundation.

Web colors are not mentioned, nor do you see anything about browser selection nor any debate over screen size. What you do see are the brief introductions to corporate design, logos, editorial design and packaging. All basics to build on for a graphic design career, including web design.