The Elements of Graphic Design: Space, Unity, Page Architecture, and Type (Paperback)

~ Alexander W. White (Author) "The design means to plan..." (more)
Key Phrases: passive white space, active white space, old style figures, New York, Nicolas Jenson, Carl Dair (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Approach page design in a revolutionary new way! Unlike other graphic design books, The Elements of Graphic Design reveals the secrets of successful graphic design from the unique perspective of the page’s "white space." With the help of carefully selected examples from art, design, and architecture, the role of white space as a connection between page elements is thoroughly explored. Clear, insightful comments are presented in a dynamic page design, and interactive design elements, thought-provoking captions, and scores of illustrations challenge designers to "think out of the box." This unique resource is guaranteed to inspire more creative and thorough thinking.

From the Publisher

Looking At Your Work with Critical Eyes;

Designers Train Their Inner Judgement with Alexander White’s New Graphic Design Primer

Since graphic design went mainstream, lots of highly creative talent has found its way into the industry. Yet when it comes to the quality of today’s design work, the absence of solid aesthetic judgement is often painfully evident.

Boosting the critical and creative sensibilities of design students, self-made designers, and routine-trapped professionals is the goal of THE ELEMENTS OF GRAPHIC DESIGN, a new book by the highly respected graphic designer and design educator Alexander White. In this incisive text, generously illustrated by 350 examples from art, architecture, pop culture, advertising and editorial design, the author demonstrates how imaginative thinking and the lessons gleaned from the best design can lead to quantum leaps in one’s design work.

The foundation of White’s approach to design is the element of space and its counterpart, negative or "white space." With convincing arguments, the author shows that thinking about page design from the point of view of "solids and voids" opens the doors to new, more efficient design solutions.

"The single most overlooked element in visual design is emptiness," the author observes. "The lack of attention it receives explains the abundance of ugly and unread design . . . [Emptiness] is more than just the background of a design, for if a design’s background alone were properly constructed, the overall design would immediately double in clarity and usefulness."

White’s stimulating comment provides beginning designers and professionals with fresh insights into creative, quality-driven design. Readers will learn to

THE ELEMENTS OF GRAPHIC DESIGN teaches designers how to
- Understand the principles of great page design
- Train theirs mind to see form more accurately and more critically
- Develop a sophisticated sense of the seven design components
- Make type choices that are driven by legibility and readability
- Sensitize themselves to seeing space
- Use space to make their design look more active

In addition, THE ELEMENTS OF GRAPHIC DESIGN boasts striking two- and four-color illustrations, a textbook-example page layout, and a detailed chapter on design history. CONTACT: Birte Pampel, 212.777.8395, ext. 13; [e-mail]

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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Allworth Press; 1 edition (November 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581152507
• ISBN-13: 978-1581152500
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #43,517 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

83 of 84 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A GOOD SOLID BOOK FOR DESIGNERS, February 10, 2004

By	D. Garcia "cordedpoodle" (los angeles, ca United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Very solid book (but short) packed with examples of why one strategy or tactic might be better than another. I learned a lot and intend to reread the book to make sure I get as much of it absorbed as I can. Very good discussions on type with discussions on line spacing, type size, small caps, grids, symmetry vs. asymmetry, negative and positive space.

Wish I would have read this book before I went to design school. I would have learned a lot more. I also would have been able to speak more intelligently. I learned a lot of terminology that will help me. I'm a better designer now. It's given me more confidence.

Highly recommended for beginners and intermediates. Might be a little thin for experts.

53 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The #1 small book about learning graphic design, August 17, 2005

By	G. Vignes "G" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

The book is short, sweet, loaded with excellent examples and it teaches many of the essentials in an easy, enjoyable manner.

I am a software developer by trade, but I also do graphical design for user interfaces and web sites. I can't afford to absorb a large amount of material on this subject just to extract the essentials. This book is exactly what I need.

The Elements of Graphic Design lives up to its namesake, Strunk and White's Elements classic, both in quality and succinctness.

45 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A 'beginner' who just felt lost the whole way through... , June 7, 2005

By	moxzi.com (SE PA) - See all my reviews

As a 30-something, 8 year web professional, with a BA in Theatre, I chose this book because of its great reviews, and its seemingly great fit for me needs as a `web designer, looking to expand into print/graphic design.'

That being said, the book read more like an exercise in stream of consciousness writing, and groovy book design, rather than trying to make a concerted effort at introducing the elements of the craft of graphic design.

I got through the "7 Components of Design" and felt like 3 of them were the same (unity, balance, and gestalt) or, that there wasn't a good explanation of their differences. It felt like most of the time, the author would say the WHAT (you do) only. If you were lucky, you got a taste of the HOW (to do it), and only if you were really lucky, maybe a bit of the WHY. Or maybe it was that all of those were included, but not in any form of coherency.

I started this book over 3 times, thinking it was me and that I simply wasn't getting into the flow of the material. Instead it was like Lane Meyer (John Cusak) in `Better Off Dead' when the teacher is explaining advanced mathematics and everyone in the class was laughing and getting it except Lane (and the movie watchers).