The Graphic Designer's Digital Toolkit (Paperback)

by Allan Wood (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Being a successful graphic designer today requires more than knowing the essential features of industry-standard software applications. It also requires an understanding of how to integrate these programs into a seamless whole while producing work that conforms to design principles-and client expectations. This fully revised edition of The Graphic Designer's Digital Toolkit, 2nd Edition provides a comprehensive overview of the "Big 4" digital design programs used in industry today-Adobe Illustrator®, Adobe Photoshop®, Adobe InDesign®, and QuarkXPress. The book examines the essential features of each, then reveals in practical detail skills and technology into effective design for print and Web media. This project based book features a highly visual introduction to the essential tools and functions of each application from the perspective of the working designer. Readers are then given the opportunity to put what they learn to work by tackling design projects from concept to completion, with assignments drawn from the everyday world of professional graphic designers.

About the Author
Allan Wood is Assistant Professor in the Visual Communications Branch at McIntosh College in New Hampshire, where he has also served as the Program Chair for the school's Graphic Design ad Photography programs for the past 12 years. In 2006 he was awarded a second place standing for Educator of the Year in the category Computer Design: Graphics and Photography, among 80 colleges participating. Drawing on his extensive experience as a curriculum developer in creating project oriented courses, working in the graphics industry, and owning his own business, Allan has developed a number of innovative courses in computer graphics, design, and digital photography at McIntosh. His project-oriented approach involves teaching the importance of integrating skills in contemporary graphic design and composition with computer graphics technologies from developing the concept to project completion.

Product Details

• Paperback: 640 pages
• Publisher: Delmar Cengage Learning; 2 edition (September 28, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1418011584
• ISBN-13: 978-1418011581
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #699,672 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Frustrating - errors interfere with learning, February 9, 2006

By	Astabeth (Decatur, AL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Graphic Designer's Digital Toolkit (General Interest) (Paperback)

I bought this as a textbook for a college course. While the intro to Mac was helpful, and the author sets up and goes through real-life type projects in a logical manner, the many errors in the book interfere with learning. For example, the reader is told to press 'm' to access the move tool when pressing 'm' really accesses the marquee tool. Often when the examples are worked step-by-step they don't look like the finished product as shown in the book, especially when using text. Overall disappointing. And I've only gone through the photoshop part so far. I would have given them 3 stars if there was an errata page online that could help me. But there's not.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good for beginers., November 23, 2008

By	Corey N. Thrasher (Vinton, VA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is good for some basics and it helps you get around your software.

1.0 out of 5 stars Only for the 'weekender', June 23, 2008

By	printmaker81 - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Graphic Designer's Digital Toolkit (Paperback)

An poorly designed graphic design book is highly suspect. This book is not only ugly but completely uninspired. Perhaps a decent aide for those who have never used the programs at all and don't plan to do any professional design work, but not really a great resource. (You can find out as much or more through the programs' help sections and online forums). I wouldn't waste your money.