Sketchbook: Conceptual Drawings from the World's Most Influential Designers [Hardcover]

Timothy O'Donnell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2009

This book explores influential designers’ sketchbooks as a truer reflection of a designer’s thought processes, preoccupations, and problem-solving strategies than can be had by simply viewing finished projects. Highly personal and idiosyncratic, sketchbooks offer an arena for unstructured exploration, a space free from all budgetary and client constraints. Visually arresting objects in their own right, this book aims to elevate sketches from mere ephemera to important documents where the reader can glean valuable insight into the creative process, and apply it to their own practices. Featured designers include Ralph Caplan, Nigel Holmes, Chris Bigg, Eva Jiricna, Jason Munn, Gary Baseman, Marian Bantjes, and many others.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Timothy O’Donnell is design director for Johnson & Johnson’s Global Strategic Design Office; his previous posts include working with Vaughan Oliver in London and MTV in New York. Visit the author's book page at www.timothy-odonnell.com/sketchbook/ for more information.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Rockport Publishers (May 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592535216
• ISBN-13: 978-1592535217
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 9.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #884,521 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hoping for more!, August 19, 2009

By 

Roy Burns (Birmingham, AL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sketchbook: Conceptual Drawings from the World's Most Influential Designers (Hardcover)

Lovely. One of the smartest books on the subject I've come across. Covers a diverse mix of talent and specialty. Well-written, insightful and elegantly-designed (natch)... would love to see additional volumes.

5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have, August 26, 2009

By 

I.M. Smart "very very smart" (Madison, CT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sketchbook: Conceptual Drawings from the World's Most Influential Designers (Hardcover)

This book is alternately inspiring and terrifying.

Inspiring to see the raw energy of so many talented designers. Terrifying in the overwhelming number of beautiful, spontaneously rendered concepts.

Most of my sketchbooks have phone numbers and lists of "people I think are a jerk today".

For seasoned designers, it's a rare glimpse into the intimate workings of other professionals process. For students it's an alternate textbook, a real world look at the work that goes into creating all those shiny design annual pieces.

5 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring, June 11, 2009

By 

P. B. Hastings "P. B. Hastings" (New Haven, CT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sketchbook: Conceptual Drawings from the World's Most Influential Designers (Hardcover)

I have a collection of books on sketchbooks and this title adds a new dimension. It is motivating and inspiring to peek inside the design process. I have been savoring it slowly and letting it sink in.