Rapid Viz: A New Method for the Rapid Visualitzation of Ideas [Paperback]

Kurt Hanks (Author), Larry Belliston (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 159863268X | ISBN-13: 978-1598632682 | Publication Date: March 1, 2006 | Edition: 3

Rapid Viz, Third Edition: A New Method for the Rapid Visualization of Ideas provides hands-on instruction on quick sketching skills and techniques that allow you to picture your ideas mentally, and then quickly convert those thoughts into visual reality on a piece of paper. The method is not designed to help you become a master illustrator, but rather a visual thinker and communicator. Emphasizing speed and simplicity, the Rapid Viz method breaks down drawing to the essentials, teaching the fundamental techniques of graphic art and design using only the simplest of tools: felt-tip pens or pencils and paper. Using a minimum amount of time, trouble, and effort, Rapid Viz enables you to nail down your ideas onto paper, rapidly converting your thoughts while they are still fresh, and then polish them for clear visual communication with others.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Course Technology PTR; 3 edition (March 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159863268X
• ISBN-13: 978-1598632682
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 9.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #39,727 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kurt Hanks was born in 1947 in Utah. He grew up on a ranch, working both ends of a cow. He discovered early in life, however, that his true calling was in the design field. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and taught at Brigham Young University for nearly a decade. He later specialized in information design, with over 30 books, 60 museums, theme parks and visitors' centers to his credit.

Later, Kurt developed a consulting firm that emphasizes concept development and organizational business training. You can see an overview of his projects at www.hanksconsulting.com.

"The creative core of all my work," Kurt says, "is the rapid visualization of ideas and information."

A signature facet of Kurt's creative mind is something he calls Relational Thinking--a process that improves the discernment capabilities of those who practice it. An explanation of Relational Thinking can be found at www.kurthanks.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I recommend the better 2nd edition instead..., October 7, 2006

By 

"extreme_dig_cm" (Chicago, Il USA, Amazon.com Fan!) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rapid Viz: A New Method for the Rapid Visualitzation of Ideas (Paperback)

This new 3rd edition is barely decent, not great. In some ways, it's easily worse than the good 2nd edition(!)...

It's essentially the same with a few minor changes. First off: the most obvious change here is in its *size*: this 3rd edition is about 2/3 as big as the 2nd edition- tiny! I'm talking about the overall physical dimensions: mainly length & width, with depth not being radically changed.

Most of the lettering is the same size as before, although a few pages include microscopic printing. These new physical dimensions are *not* an improvement. This whole book has an uncomfortably crammed look & feel, not unlike a packed elevator ride. "Get me outta this thing!" is my honest reaction here.

Maybe it's because I'm so used to the 2nd edition: I consider it to be the *BEST* version, even though I only rated it as being somewhat above average. The 2nd edition is basically good, and I'm glad I have it, but I still don't think *any* version of Rapid Viz has lived up to its real, full potential. My basic complaint with these books is that the illustrations themselves often look a little too unfinished and sketchy, lacking the true detail & depth that a 5-star book might have. At other times, some drawings actually have *too much* microscopic detail. And in an effort to make an already conceptually clear & concise book even more clear & concise, this new 3rd edition eliminates some drawings & photos along the way(!). Even worse: the photos that *have* been included are reproduced poorly, as if they were printed with a cheap, pre-Internet, black & white inkjet printer. I thought new editions of books were supposed to get better, not worse! I give this thing 1 star because it's a completely unnecessary downgrade- at best.

In short: Yes, this 3rd edition has a fancy, new, computer designed cover, but I easily recommend the better 2nd edition *by far*.

**Copy and paste 1560520558 to search for the better 2nd edition here on Amazon!**

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really great stuff to get you moving with visual thinking!, July 31, 2006

By 

Lee Say Keng "KNOWLEDGE ADVENTURER/TECHNOLOGY... (Ho Chi Minh City/Singapore) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rapid Viz: A New Method for the Rapid Visualitzation of Ideas (Paperback)

This is a new edition of Rapid Viz. It is basically the same in terms of contents as the earlier edition.

I have always enjoyed reading - and playing around with the ideas from - Kurt Hank's books. I have all his books, which include Draw!, Design Yourself, The Change Navigator, Wake Up Your Creative Genius, Up Your Productivity.

Like his other books, this book is very well illustrated, conceptually & graphically. It's primary focus is the introduction of a Rapid Visualisation Process, which one can learn easily & then use readily to capture & convert fleeting thoughts into visual forms on paper. It is packed with ideas, games, puzzles & exercises to guide the reader.

It is written for the novice in mind. It provides a step by step approach to the practical strategies of seeing, thinking, & drawing.

For the benefit of readers, I append herewith the Table of Contents:

- All we need is another drawing book;
- Another way of learning: an insight into intuitive, holistic thinking;
- The bilingual method: using the often neglected visual abilities we all possess;
- What you need to get started: a description of tools & techniques to aid visual learning;
- The box method: a very simple drawing technique for rapid viz;
- Rapid indication: visual symbols & cliches for rapid viz;
- The visualisation process: drawing made easier by evolving a visual concept to a finished drawing;
- Graphic expression: communication with visual images;
- Graphic creation: using visual thinking to stimulate & refine creative thinking;
- Learning with visuals: using visual patterns to improve learning, memory & recall;

I must say: The entire book is really great stuff to get you moving with visual thinking!

One word of advice: Readers who are more logically oriented by nature, should firstly take a look at 'Thinking with a Pencil' by Henning Nelms. This book has a more structured approach to visual thinking.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Smaller Format that previous edition not appreciated, January 11, 2007

By 

Alfred Raschdorf "Al" (Kings Park, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rapid Viz: A New Method for the Rapid Visualitzation of Ideas (Paperback)

I suppose the smaller format kept the cost down, but I was disappointed to find that out AFTER I bought them. (That's right, "them". I ordered a dozen for a drawing class I held at my company.)

It still has great content though, and I further suppose that if you never ran into the larger format edition, you may not miss it. Excellent content. Not just another drawing book.