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Universal Principles of Design [Hardcover]

William Lidwell (Author), Kritina Holden (Author), Jill Butler (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (70 customer reviews)


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Book Description

October 1, 2003
Whether a marketing campaign or a museum exhibit, a video game or a complex control system, the design we see is the culmination of many concepts and practices brought together from a variety of disciplines. Because no one can be an expert on everything, designers have always had to scramble to find the information and know-how required to make a design workùuntil now.

Universal Principles of Design is the first cross-disciplinary reference of design. Richly illustrated and easy to navigate, this book pairs clear explanations of the design concepts featured with visual examples of those concepts applied in practice. From the 80/20 rule to chunking, from baby-face bias to Ockham's razor, and from self-similarity to storytelling, 100 design concepts are defined and illustrated for readers to expand their knowledge.

This landmark reference will become the standard for designers, engineers, architects, and students who seek to broaden and improve their design expertise.


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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

William Lidwell is a partner and chief research and development officer at the Applied Management Sciences Institute. He writes, speaks, and consults on topics of design and engineering and is the author of multiple books including the best-selling design book Universal Principles of Design, which has been translated into 16 languages. He lives in Houston, TX.


Product Details

  • Hardcover: 216 pages
  • Publisher: Rockport Publishers (October 1, 2003)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1592530079
  • ISBN-13: 978-1592530076
  • Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.7 x 0.9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (70 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #261,389 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The problem, it seems, as manifested by places like The Design Museum, is that the concept 'design' has become equated with appearance. This narrow perspective allows designers to shirk the responsibilities they have to end users in the design process. All too often a newly graduated designer will seek to stamp their personality or ideas on a product, flagrantly disregarding the basic principles of design.

In one fell swoop, this book destroys any excuses designers may have. It is itself an elegant, highly accessible and successful example of good design. Each concept is covered in narrative, by reference and by example(s).

From Occam's Razor, Affordability, Hick's Law to many areas not immediately obvious, the breadth of the book is wonderful, and no subject is anything other than easily understood.

This coverage is no mean effort, and the beneficiaries cross all industries.

Mandatory reading and reference for anyone who calls themselves a designer.
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41 of 47 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This isn't a book about design, it's a collection of distinctions revealing the human experience. I've already used many of them to improve my marketing materials, my websites, how I speak to clients, and how I relate to the world. It's a just a wonderful ontological exploration. The wonderful references alone justify the cover price.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
---"The best designers sometimes disregard the principles of design. When they do so, however, there is usually some compensating merit attained at the cost of the violation. Unless you are certain of doing as well, it is best to abide by the principles" from the Introduction.--- Really a cross reference whether you are designing for screen, print or industry, to tune and power up your designs. Simple 100 design principles laid and explained clearly by example. You will be amazed how instantly it works out. But if you are looking for an inspiration look for other items like "Big Book of Design Ideas"
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
An excellent reference book for designers in any field
I read this entire book one principle a day, and still pick it up to refresh myself on a random principle once in a while. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Bryan Yurasits
Great Book
It was amazing. The book maybe took a little bit to arrive, but it is well taken care of and in good shape. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Lucky-chan
Terrific Book for Anybody in Any Discipline
On impulse, I purchased a copy of the new 2010 edition of this book from a local bookseller.

This is a terrific book, a concise compendium of 125 "universal principles... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Danny Grizzle
Truly a one-stop source for considered design
As someone who is relatively seasoned in the design industry, and a person who considers the usability and "experiential" elements of online design daily, I was very pleased with... Read more
Published 23 months ago by JMarsh
Kindle version versus latest Hardcover version
The Kindle version is from 2003 and has 100 principles. The latest 2010 version is in hardcover and has 125 principles. Read more
Published 23 months ago by T. Wallner
A useful resource...
This is a great reference book to have regardless of the branch of design you're in... Personally I'm an architect and I have found it to be very useful!
Published on February 1, 2010 by A. Blandon
Great book with a couple of flaws
This is a really good read for aspiring designers who want to consider different approaches to the creative process, whether you are designing print or reinventing the bottle... Read more
Published on November 10, 2009 by Eric Chamberlain
Good Reference
A short review, but this book is a very good reference book and refresher, but nothing more. It includes spreads of design principles, one side describing the principle and one... Read more
Published on November 1, 2009 by E. Hsiung
are we reading the same book?
I'm sorry to disagree with the effusive praise by others here, but I recently picked up this book at the store, and after leafing through most of it, I put it down again. Read more
Published on August 27, 2009 by K. Zhu
Great design characteristics book
This well written reference to design characteristics. I has good descriptions of the characteristic, examples, and graphics. Read more
Published on April 21, 2009 by David Hickerson
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Inside This Book (learn more)
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
progressive disclosure, advance organizer, scaling fallacy, savanna preference, perceptual forms, good continuation, facial appearance effect, lighting bias, progressive lures, kinematic load, attractiveness bias, uniform connectedness, picture superiority effect, cognitive prototypes, oblique effect, stair structures, serial position effects, orientation sensitivity, primary loop
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Principles of Design, Hick's Law, Donald Norman, Aesthetic-Usability Effect, Journal of Experimental Psychology, Hierarchy of Needs, Baby-Face Bias, Form Follows Function, Ockham's Razor, Mnemonic Device, Psychologische Forschung, Feedback Loop, Factor of Safety, The Design of Everyday Things, Classical Conditioning, Kegan Paul, Laws of Organization, Interference Effects, Source Book of Gestalt Psychology, Max Wertheimer, Law of Prägnanz, Graphics Press, Psychological Bulletin, Figure-Ground Relationship, Structural Forms
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relevant to 3D design as well? 0 Mar 12, 2007
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