Customer Reviews

Robin Williams Handmade Design Workshop: Create Handmade Elements for Digital Design

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I found more than enough material in this book to make it well worth my time (and money). The techniques used and explained really put a new perspective on the work I have done and have yet to do. I don't think it is amateurish in the least. This book will help you take your designs one step further. Add to it the spark of Robin William's writing, and you've got yourself a helpful reference guide. Don't be put off by the previous reviewer's comments. It's a great book, particularly for those designers who want to give new life to previous designs.

When I opened this book, I was surprised and delighted to find two voices -- two very different approaches and two very different styles. Taken together, the book resonates with ideas, techniques and humor. I like practical explanations, and a starting point that includes people who know less than I do is a bonus--a couple places this gave me time to review what I remembered and then build new techniques on that. I recommend this book not only to anyone who works with online graphics but also a general readership of people curious about hand-made presentations, personal or professional. This is Robin Williams [The Little Mac Book] inviting us to enjoy still another creative process.

I've been feeling like I've been missing something and didn't know what it was and this is it -- handmade elements. I can't wait to try some of these techniques in my design work! These ideas and techniques will enhance my work. This book is the most fun thing I've seen Robin Williams do, and it's beautifully designed! I highly recommend it.

This is my FIRST "public" book review EVER, so please forgive the meandering... I received the Handmade Design Book as a gift and absolutely loved it. This is a wonderful book with a ton of valuable and practical info. Mrs. Williams took a broad and complex range of processes and presented them in a way that I think will be very valuable for both professionals and amateurs. I found the information THOROUGH and CLEAR and USABLE, which is a balance frequently missed by "how to" books. Also, MANY tips-n-tricks that I greatly appreciate and that everybody can understand and use.

Last but not least, this book is an absolute visual pleasure to look at. From the way the physical elements and processes were photographed to the page layout. I may be a bit old fashioned, but this proves once more that good design is paramount to delivering valuable content clearly. After you have gone through this little gem once to enjoy the experience and to know what's there, keep it by your workbench as reference. Without a doubt, you will use of it and I expect it to get marked and glued and spilled-on and sprayed with everything from water to margarita... Great book.

I found this book to be a fountain of information. Pages and pages of detailed descriptions, instructions, and clear lists of supplies and materials needed, as well as suggestions for how and when to use the various techniques make this a great resource book. As another reviewer wrote, the friendly tone of the two writers voices made for an interesting balance of perspectives. I had the feeling that Carmen was talking to me directly, challenging me before potential resistance was fully formed, and I often found myself laughing out loud at the entertaining counter point voiced in the post-it notes, signed "R." Pull this book off the shelf, roll up your sleeves, and get creative, messy, and have fun!

I love a book that gets me off my mac, outta my head and into my hands and the creation of art. This book makes it easy for me to jump right in and have a good time. I love knowing what to buy at the store, how to use it, and the variety of examples are inspiring and useful. Carmen's artistry and Robin's eloquence make a beautiful blend. Thank you Carmen! Thank you Robin!

Well written! Superbly illustrated! Makes it all very clear and do-able. Carmen Sheldon's mastery of her subject is clearly evident. She demonstrates her skill, knowledge and vast experience in such a way that others looking to expand their horizons will benefit greatly. I highly recommend this book to artists and beginners (like me) who want push the limits of what they already know.

This book is perfect, whatever your experience or skill level. It's great if you want step by step instructions OR if you just need some inspiration. Lots of really neat and unique ideas.

The Handmade Design Workshop by Carmen Sheldon and Robin Williams is a book I'm happy to have in my collection as a unique, design effects book. Being both a fine artist and designer, I was thrilled to have found a book that bridges what I felt I wanted to convey in my work- a blend of tactile with the simplicity of editing with the computer.

While in art school a had a great teacher who encouraged the design students not to just rely on computer effects, so we were able to create designs that had a humanistic, original feel. The authors of the book, Robin Williams and Carmen Sheldon, echo many of these same ideas. I have some of Robin's other books that I find just as helpful, instructional wise, but this particular book has been my favorite so far because it is so inspiring. And have an excuse not to stay glued to the computer!

Visual references and material guides were clearly laid out. And comparisons to similar digital effects were explained along with the new DIY approach for effects. I loved the textures suggested for background surfaces, from quick printing techniques (such as using found objects) to simple illustrative ideas (such as using torn paper collage or clay!)

Overall I was really impressed with the quality of the book and reminded how much we tend as designers get caught up in the day to day hustle of creation and rely on premade filters or other "from the box" digital effects. It's good to be reminded to get my designer hands dirty again and make some handmade elements!

K.Toft

Love the "just enough" text and very helpful, step by step photos to show how to do techniques.
I have tried some of these watercolor techniques just from the book and I was able to actually learn how to do it without having to pay for a class or watch someone live doing it. I'm going to use these techniques in my paintings - I'm not even a graphic artist but wanted to learn some neat effects for my watercolor and other paintings.