Customer Reviews

Universal Principles of Design

5 star:		(52)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

---"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"

I'm a senior in a Visual Communications and Design program. One of my professors highly recommended this book, so I decided to buy it after looking at the price here on Amazon. I didn't know what to expect.

I was greeted with nice satin-finish hardcover with no dust jacket (I dislike those anyway). When I opened the book, I noticed that each spread is completely new principle of design. The right panel has amazing illustrations or photographs VISUALLY explaining each principle, while the left panel explained the principle in a way that I have a new level of understanding and presented in a way that makes me appreciate all the genres of design (from Architecture to product design to marketing). As if this was not enough, each article has references to the complete "seminal" work that started this principle and usually a more up-to-date reference that explores this principle in today's world.

I join along with my Professor, BUY this book. You will be gaining such a treasuretrove of knowledge that my four year degree has only taught me to appreciate and learn. This is concise stuff that runs the gamut and I am finding exceedingly practical. If there can be a book where all you need is right here, then this is it.

When I become a professor, years down the road, this will be a mandatory book for all design students.

Much of Universal Principles of Design lacks depth. The reason for this is that the text needed more colloboration than it appears to have asorbed. For something that aspires to be a sort of objective compendium, the topics (and particularly the examples used) are grounded firmly within the author's sphere of knowledge. I correctly guessed both where the authors lived as well as their occupations long before I had finished reading merely because they use so many examples from Houston and software. Unfortunately, this lack of research and colloboration outside of the two authors and their own knowledge creates a shallow, uninformed book.

Universal Principles of Design is far less academic and objective than it proports. For example, if I had based one of my principles on an example I would have researched it beyond merely using internet heresay (DVORAK v. QWERTY, for example). That's not to say it isn't enjoyable, as the text itself is neat, modernist, clean and is, at times, interesting and informative. However, Universal Principles of Design lacks the academic depth needed for usability and never extends beyond introductions and formalities. The book is something that aspires to belong more on the coffee table as a chic relic of interest in design than as a usable, practical text to earmark, underline in, and really utilize as a day to day guidebook.

If you want to make some money, I recommend you buy a couple copies of this book now and put them away for 10 years. With absolute certitude the "Universal Patterns of Design" (UPOD) will be a future "classic" design book. There are very few books that fit this category, but this will be one. The author's have done an absolutely stunning job of condensing the patterns format in codifying 210 design principles which human beings need to relate to products and works of art. This book rivals ANY other design work I have ever read. Absolutely highest recommendation.

This is a great book for people who want an overview of the most abstract design principles that can then be applied to everyday life. Equally at home on the coffee table, work desk or washroom magazine rack, this book quickly opens up the structure behind the seemingly fluid world of design.

A well thought-out work, with concise topics covered on each page. More of a reference work than a "how-to" book, but if there is a topic in design in which you are interested, this book will give you a great start.

My quibble, mentioned before by some others, is that the body text is done in a very small, light gray, sans serif font. To be honest, this is very hard to read, with my failing eyes. I am not sure why a book discussing the core elements of visual communication would be printed in a way that the content could not be read....

The title makes it clear this is not an in-depth treatise, but an overview. As such, the marginal references are excellent launching points for deeper research on any of the principles.

I'm also using it as a sort of checklist for design, watching for the application of these overarching concepts in whatever I'm creating. As a web designer, programmer, song-writer, and fiction writer, the concepts have application in virtually everything I design.

This is an excellent book that touches upon the basic properties of design. Don't expect this book to go into exaggerated details on topics, its simply a cliffs notes on design. However it should, and will become a staple for all design students to own, regardless of concentration. Every University should make this book a mandatory purchase. Definitely worth checking out.