Idea Index: Graphic Effects and Typographic Treatments (Turtleback)

by Jim Krause (Author) "Consciously and unconsciously, visual artists constantly add to their creative reservoir with concepts and images from everyday life..." (more)
Key Phrases: speaking bubble, graphic effects, image filters, Border Treatment, Extreme Letterspace

Product Details

• Turtleback: 312 pages
• Publisher: North Light Books; 1 edition (May 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581800460
• ISBN-13: 978-1581800463
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 4.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #21,325 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

85 of 89 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This unique little gem is a real keeper!, April 28, 2000

By	David L. Perry (Dearborn, Michigan USA) - See all my reviews

In a world awash with books on how to use graphics and page layout software which, due to rapid changes in technology, tend to have a fairly short shelf life, this book is a remarkable exception that will be useful for many years to come.

I once heard a quote from a National Geographic photo director that he was neck deep in photographers, but only ankle deep in story ideas. Many creative people sometimes feel that way today with a plethora of hardware and software and the skills to use them, but without inspiration for the ideas to put it all to good use. The author states in his introduction that this book is intended to be used as a "mental drain opener' when the creative juices stop flowing." It is a wonderfully effective tool for just that purpose. Rather than telling the reader exactly what to do, it is a book of a couple of thousand one-liners intended to stimulate ideas.

This handy little book actually fits into the back pocket of my Levis, and because of the rubberized cover (the publisher correctly assumes you'll keep it for years) it doesn't even tear. The book is divided into 2 sections, Graphic Effects and Typographic Treatments. A total of 310 different "ideas" are each presented in a two page layout, verbalized on the left, and illustrated on the right (just like your brain works!)

The discussion of the idea of "Reverse", for example, states "Reverse one or more images from another" paired with a simplified black lightbulb graphic with a white lighting bolt and electrical plug within it, as well as a half dozen other statements and two more drawings.

"Punctuate" suggests using punctuation marks as background images, using a different font for the punctuation characters, and looking at your keyboard for ideas.

If you want a book to tell you how to do XYZ with (fill in the blank) software, this book isn't for you. But if you already have a shelf full of those, and now want a little help to generate ideas, buy this; you won't be disappointed. Who knows, you might just get a great idea for your next project by reading a page while on hold or waiting for a web page to download!

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!, June 5, 2000

By A Customer

Why didn't anyone think of this before? There's no shortage of "how to" books, but there are VERY FEW books that actually help you come up with the concepts and "looks" for those images and designs. You've probably got shelves full of books that help you use your computer better and faster, what you need now is a book that will help you use your brain better, faster and more creatively. I can guarantee this book won't end up on your shelf...it'll be parked next to your sketchpad or keyboard at all times!

This fat little plastic-bound book has hundreds of well organized and cleverly illustrated images on the right-hand side of each spread, and short topic-relevant sentences on the left. I'm amazed at how quickly it helps me not only run through potential concepts and styles for new projects, but also how it helps me find ways of giving my own not-quite-ready ideas the extra "tweak" needed to bring them up a notch. I can't imagine not having it next to my computer and/or in my carry-all at all times. My advice for freelancers: get one. My advice for agencies and studios: get one for everybody.

39 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Water is a good thing..., January 9, 2001

By	Diana Baldwin (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

I disagree with a previous reviewer who wrote that this book is the equivalent of "ideas in a can."

I find that to be more true of many of the other design books which showcase the work of the same 100 or so designers in multiple books by the same publisher. I don't have a problem with those books - if you use them to find cool elements which are an explorational springboard.

And that's what I think this book does. We all have walls full of inspiring work, boxes loaded with stuff clipped from magazines, and printed collateral from various sources.

This is no more than that. A place to perch and peer into the realm of "what if I try..."

I don't think the author intends for anyone to go and say, I'll start w/p. 22, add some page 45, and tweak it up w/p. 140.

It's just a way to get the brain to travel a little. It's also a good way to identify a general direction when narrowing your brainstormed ideas.

I don't think we are supposed to stop with what's between the covers of this book. I think it's just an interesting place to start.