Soak Wash Rinse Spin (Paperback)

by Tolleson Design (Author), Tolleson Design (Contributor) "When we began discussing this project with Princeton Architectural Press, I wanted the book to do several things Among them, i wanted to illustrate what..." (more)
Key Phrases: tolleson design, wash rinse spin, visual exploration, The North Face, Urban Outfitters, Virgin Interactive (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Steve Tolleson's approach to design might best be described as scientific: it involves relentless research in which every element of a project--down to its letterforms--is subject to rigorous study through almost imperceptible permutations. The end results of this process are designs that are meticulously executed, sometimes cerebral, but never without emotion and wit.

Soak Wash Rinse Spin investigates the cycles of the Tolleson Design creative process through a textual and graphic layering of information involving four phases: research (the intake of as much information as they can gather), collaboration (with the client and with the other members of the creative team), visual exploration (the workbook process, which includes refinements and the examination of multiple options), and environmental influences (consideration of the ultimate purpose of the solution).

Tolleson Design, located in San Francisco since its inception in 1984, produces corporate and product identity, annual reports, web and interactive design, packaging, and environmental graphics for a broad client base that includes Kodak, Nike, Microsoft, Virgin Interactive, Urban Outfitters, and the San Francisco Ballet. Their work has appeared in design publications such as Communication Arts, Graphis, and I.D. Magazine, and has received hundreds of awards.

About the Author
Tolleson Design produces corporate and product identity, annual reports, web and interactive design, packaging, and environmental graphics for a broad client base that includes Kodak, Nike, Microsoft, Virgin Interactive, Urban Outfitters, and the San Franc

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press (April 4, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1568981988
• ISBN-13: 978-1568981987
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #459,764 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

67 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring and worth every cent, March 9, 2000

By	Heather Coffey "hmcoffey" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As an educator at Rutgers University and a Graphic Design studio owner, I pour over endless design books and rarely recommend one over another. This book is a rare exception. Not only is it visually engaging and well designed, it explains projects in a concise manner with the concept in mind, not mere style. It covers not only symbol application, but also interactive design, branding and signage to name a few of the wide-ranging applications it discusses. Tolleson Design exemplifies a unique studio style without appearing to be trendy and self-serving. While this book promotes one studio, it doesn't read a promotional book, but an inspiring set of visuals any Graphic Designer would gain insight from. This book contains more images than most annuals and the descriptions give other visual communicators insight into the process and concept. I highly recommend this book.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most practical coffee-table book I own, September 26, 2000

By	Adam Greenfield "Clean living under difficult... (Helsinki, Finland) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If I had to choose one book that best elucidates the problem (excuse me: the "challenge") of good graphic design - how to think about it, how to plan for it, how to execute it - this would be it.

The material on branding for Urban Outfitters and Liz Claiborne alone is worth the price of admission. The work under consideration pops, and the book itself shows you why - a particularly convincing pitch for the talents of the designers within.

If you can't afford to hire Tolleson Design, the best advice I can give you is buy this book and try to implement some of the ways of thinking and seeing it so clearly makes manifest.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth its weight in gold, April 10, 2001

By	"manishbg" (Bangalore, India) - See all my reviews

I am a book freak and buy books worth atleast ... in the area of graphic design, web design and experience design every month. My collection is really huge. But this book is outstanding and something totally different from what I have ever seen in last 6 years of my career. This book makes the process of design 100% science than art. This book gives you skills to build you design based on solid logic and still keep it looking good. Plus after having gone through this book I have learnt to get my work approved like never before, as I am able to really make my clients see the reason as to what I have done is correct. This gives me much more time to do better work, read and learn more. Do go in for it. You will never regret. Actually I have bought 3 copies of this book. One for my room, one for my toilet and one for my office. ...