Graphic Design and Reading: Explorations of an Uneasy Relationship (Paperback)

by Gunnar Swanson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
This collection explores the relationship between reading and the graphic arts, that is, the art of the printed page. The 18 essays some less readable than others are written by a variety of specialists in the field, commentators as well as practitioners. Chapter titles such as "The New Calligraphic Renaissance," "Electronic Typography: The New Visual Language," and "The Myth of Content and the Encyclopedestrianization of Communication" give a clue as to the overall scope of the book as well as providing an idea of the relative density of most of the prose. No light reading here; the overall tone is more self-consciously polysyllabic and pretentious than scholarly (or even particularly factual). And illustrations scattered throughout too often shed little light on the accompanying text. Although a few diehard theorists and possibly some students of communications will love this book, most design libraries can do without it. Margarete Gross, Chicago P.L.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
"Among the similarly excellent readers put out in recent years by Allworth Press." -- Communication Arts

“...this rich and fundamental text will inspire both students and practitioners of graphic design and typography...” -- Laurie Haycock Makela, chair, 2D Department, Cranbrook Academy of Art

“This book offers a banquet of succulent opinions on graphic design...” -- Massimo Vignelli

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Allworth Press; 1st edition (July 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581150636
• ISBN-13: 978-1581150636
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #805,560 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Poor graphic design impedes my ability to read this book, August 25, 2004

By	Joe Beets "User and Reader of Books" (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews

This book contains a number of valuable essays on the relationship between reading and graphic design. Ironically and unfortunately, it is so flawed in its own design that I get angry when I try to read it and put it back on the shelf before finishing a chapter. I'm ready to throw it in the trash. That the author and organizer of this book was also the designer/typographer/illustrator undermines its credibility. The page design has no relationship to the format of the book. The text and titles are lost in the gutter because not enough space has been left for the binding. The images are badly reproduced and so filled in that they are dead spaces in each chapter. Many of the chapters begin with corrupted type...where was GS for the press checks? The author's attempt at illustration with marbled paper doesn't make any sense, is comical and the book was printed with the grain of the paper running horizontally so the pages cannot be opened and are cockling along the foredge. Grrrr.
Perhaps these essays can be re-published with a more knowledgeable and sensitive designer at the helm. The authors and readers deserve this.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A typographic symposium, July 3, 2001

By	Ken Friedman "Ken Friedman" (Oslo, Norway, and Copenhagen, Denmark) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book began as an idea for an unrealized exhibition titled "re:word." Gunnar Swanson asked, "Is graphic design about words - focusing on the writer's work - or rewording - a process of both restructuring and editing meaning?" His answer was both and neither. The unrealized exhibition led to a book that resembles a good symposium.

Contributions by eighteen well informed, articulate writers function as a tour of design concepts, a scholarly compendium, and an illustrated guide. Each chapter is an essay, often opinionated, sometimes quirky, and always lucid. The book is enriched by useful footnotes and packed with well chosen illustrations.

Swanson designed this book to illustrate the theme. While there are occasional problems with color material in black and white and a few typesetting difficulties, this is a strong project. It is all the stronger for finding its way out of the museum and into book form.

Book review published in Design Research News, Volume 6, Number 6, June 2001.

4.0 out of 5 stars an excellent typographic reference, October 24, 2002

By	D. A. Holman - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

... this is an excellent reference for both typographic disigners and type designers. Gunnar is well educated in the ways of typography and has used his knowledge to assemble an invaluable collection of essays. in my fairly extensive typographic library, I count this volume among my most favored.

as for the design of the book, it comes down to matters of taste. certainly, none can question its readability. other than a few minor PostScript errors, I have never found this book anything but comfortable and efficient. to be honest, the cover is the only thing I took issue with, the rest of the book is quite well designed and relevant to the topic.

I highly recommend it for any typographers or designers library.