Retro Graphics: A Visual Sourcebook to 100 Years of Graphic Design [Paperback]

Jonathan Raimes (Author), Lakshmi Bhaskaran (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 5, 2007

Retro Graphics makes it easy for DIY designers to mimic the most prominent styles of the past hundred years. A plethora of authentic design modelsfrom Art Deco and Gothic Revival to Pop Art and Post Modernismare presented and broken down into their component parts in this handy sourcebook. These entries include step-by-step techniques, color palettes, typefaces, illustration styles, and ornamentation to help anyone create the look of such diverse materials as Victorian advertisements and pulp fiction book jackets. History can't be revived, but it can be simulated with this richly illustrated and meticulously researched visual encyclopedia.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jonathan Raimes is the director at Foundation Publishing and Print design company. He lives in London.

Lakshmi Bhaskaran writes and edits for a wide range of design publications. She lives in London.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books; 1 edition (July 5, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811855082
• ISBN-13: 978-0811855082
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 8.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #318,538 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and useful, December 18, 2007

By 

Mary J. Bedy (Troy, MI USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Retro Graphics: A Visual Sourcebook to 100 Years of Graphic Design (Paperback)

I read some criticisms of this book by other reviewers stating that this book does not give any basic information on graphic design. I believe the title of the book describes exactly what this book was meant to provide, and in my opinion, it does just that. This is an overview of the various graphic design preferences throughout the decades, with color and layout choice examples from each time period. It was obviously not meant to be an extensive textbook on the history of graphic design, rather a sample book of the preferred styles throughout the 20th century, and basic information to recreate the "look" of a certain era.

In this regard, I believe this book succeeds in what it set out to do, and I've found it to be well organized and attractive in its presentation.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Guidebook to Graphic Design, August 1, 2008

By 

Stephen Rustad (Petaluma, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Retro Graphics: A Visual Sourcebook to 100 Years of Graphic Design (Paperback)

This is a very useful book on several levels. First, it covers in a succinct and clear manner the major design trends that have influenced a century of print design. Second - and even better - the book a first-rate "how-to-do-it" manual that dissects these designs and demonstrates how they can be an inspiration (or merely cloned if you're lazy) for contemporary graphic designers. Each major trend is explored through fonts, color choices, and tips on mimicking the graphics using software programs like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. A useful addition to your graphic design reference library.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Quick Reference, December 22, 2007

By 

Indy - See all my reviews

This review is from: Retro Graphics: A Visual Sourcebook to 100 Years of Graphic Design (Paperback)

This is a must have for anyone who needs a quick reference in graphic design history. While the book doesn't go into great detail in the explanation of the different movements and style it does provide a good reference for font styles, color palettes and important elements that makes the style unique. The book also includes a color coded time line at the beginning and each brief explanation is in chronological order.