Problem Solved [Paperback]

Michael Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 5, 2004

For decades designers and advertisers have had to interpret design briefs, produce new solutions to familiar problems and continually work to keep their clients' brands fresh and in the public consciousness. This book explores the theme of 'problem solving' in design and communication, from reviving the identity of tired brands to dealing creatively and sensitively with propaganda. Each chapter deals with a specific problem and concludes with a case study to illustrate a particular solution in greater detail. With hundreds of examples from a huge range of international agencies and designers, both contemporary and classic, this book presents an informative, comprehensive and lively discussion of communications and advertising in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Advertising is one of the biggest industries worldwide and is a field devoted to continuous innovation and reinvention. The author presents an intelligent and informative discussion, with many illustrated examples, of the problems faced by designers and advertisers when presented with a client's brief. Problems discussed include producing innovative work while avoiding repetition, standing out in the market place, r

Editorial Reviews

Review

"'In these days of graphics gurus and superstar admen, Michael Johnson provides a welcome reminder that the lifeblood of design and advertising remains solving someone else's communications problem, and doing so elegantly and effectively... An entertaining and thorough primer which should find favour with students and established practitioners alike.' Creative Review; 'For once we have a graphics book that isn't just a parade of stunning imagery - impressive though its visual content is. A challenging theory underpins each wittily-titled chapter, promoting brave and contentious ideas. It also pushes the importance of words in communication - a rare treat from a serious graphics tome.' Design Week; 'A magnificent book... an eclectic selection of examples... a book that would be of interest to both the seasoned practitioner and the lay reader.' Campaign; 'Very very nice idea, and well executed too.' Steven Heller, The New York Times; 'A real tour de force. It covers an amazing amount of projects (and problems) and Johnson tackles them in an unpretentious and erudite way.' Graphics International (now grafik)"

About the Author

Michael Johnson is creative director of design consultancy Johnson Banks, which was voted most creative consultancy in Britain in 1999. He is Chairman of Education for British Design and Art Direction (D&AD), external graphics assessor for the Glasgow School of Art and lectures regularly on design theory and practice. Michael also writes for design and marketing journals such as Creative Review and Campaign, judges design competitions all over the world and is art-directing a book and exhibition project to celebrate 40 years of D&AD.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Phaidon Press (October 5, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0714844535
• ISBN-13: 978-0714844534
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 8 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,015,319 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Problem Solved? Yes and no., November 20, 2003

By 

Joseph Gorecki (Toronto, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Problem Solved: A Primer for Design and Communication (Hardcover)

In his first book, Michael Johnson has compiled and commented on a vast array of innovative and effective adverising and design, as well as some no so effective work - this is a strong point in the book - as we often learn more from mistakes than we do from achievements.

The book itself is very well designed, with a very coherent layout, lovely paper, and excellent printing and colour reproduction.

Johnson's writting style is easy going and at times witty, he is an informed designer and pens some great commentary throughout the book on what works and what doesn't.
My only problem was this: the commentary by Johnson only goes so far. It's more than enough information for the casual reader, but for graphic design or advertising students and proffessionals, it may seem like the nitty-gritty of the creative process is not revealed enough. Admittedly, with so many examples given in Problem Solved, this would be impossible.

Hopefully Johnson will do another book with fewer design pieces and more talk with the designers.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent, eclectic survey, April 2, 2003

By 

james humphreys - See all my reviews

This review is from: Problem Solved: A Primer for Design and Communication (Hardcover)

By avoiding the temptation to plug his own firm's work, the author has the freedom to compile a surprising and thought-provoking gallery of design being used to solve real-world problems. The section on design, nation and politics is particularly strong, but throughout there are examples of creative and inspiring design that also does the job. As a bonus, it's engagingly written, entertaining, and well laid out.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Problem (not) Solved, January 1, 2010

By 

N. Jacinto "Nonnu" (Moita, Portugal) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Problem Solved (Paperback)

Very good content. Very Bad Design. What worries me is the Ernest Bettler "issue" (pag. 202; 2002Ed.), it makes me wonder how well researched is this book (Problem). So one has to make a an extra effort to re-research it's content. But then again, any one with the desire to learn more will do that anyway (Solved).