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D.I.Y.: Design It Yourself Paperback – December 27, 2005
Purchase options and add-ons
Not satisfied with the new T-shirts on sale at the local mall? Maybe you'd like a wedding invitation that expresses your own vision, not your party planner's? How about some personalized stationery? An upgrade to your website? A business card? A poster for your political campaign? A CD package for your band? Sound good? Then get up off your couch and Design It Yourself! Avoid graphic identity theft: build your own. Ellen Lupton, bestselling author of Thinking with Type will show you how.
"DIY: Design It Yourself" provides you with all the tools you'll need to create your own projects, from conception through production. Here you will find:
- simple ideas on how you can "think like a designer"
- clear and coherent explanations of design technologies, from silk-screening to web
development
- what materials you'll need to get your job done
- where to find and buy them
- how much time and experience your project demands
- diagrams that show how to handle complex tasks
- basic typographic dos and don'ts
- the history and theory of the DIY design movement
- hundreds of innovative and beautiful projects for inspiration
No more excuses. With this book, virtually any design task is within your grasp. Just do it (yourself)!
- Print length176 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherPrinceton Architectural Press
- Publication dateDecember 27, 2005
- Grade level8 and up
- Reading age13 years and up
- Dimensions7.13 x 0.63 x 8.5 inches
- ISBN-101568985525
- ISBN-13978-1568985527
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Editorial Reviews
Review
A crash course in promotion and visual design, D.I.Y.: Design It Yourself is the perfect book for anyone looking to pimp their brand, their band, their blog or just their Christmas card list. -- Penascola Independent News, November 29, 2007
Lupton wants the objects to go out into the world, as emissaries of individual creativity. Inspiration begets inspiration. -- Syndicated-Washington Post, Philadelphia Enquirer, etc., March 2006
Dispense With Designers, She Says - Create It Yourself
"D.I.Y.: Design It Yourself is probably the only home-crafts book out there that shows you how to apply a screen print to a throw pillow on one page and extensively quotes the Italian Marxist Antonio Gramsci on another." -- Jeff Turrentine --The Philadelphia Inquirer, March, 2006
"This book is more than a handbook--it's an empowerment tool. There's something here to bring out the designer in everyone . . . So if you're getting tired of ubiquitous corporate brands, pick up this book and get started on a more personal and meaningful alternative." --Baltimore Magazine, May 2006
"Ellen Lupton believes that you - yes, you - are a brilliant designer.
It does'nt matter if you are colorblind, or if you can't draw., or if you have never been sure whether shagreen is something wallets are made of or something that goes in salads at fancy restaurants. " -- Jeff Turrentine --Staten Island Advance, March, 2006
"Her goals are revolutionary, and her manifesto goes something like this: Each one of us has a unique way of looking at, and dealing with, the everyday world. So why shouldn't the basic units of that world - coffee cups, envelopes, business cards, tote bags - bear our individual stamp? Multinational corporations put their brand on everything they make. Why can't you and I have our own brands too?" --Courier, March, 2006
"I love the aesthetic of the book. It has a really young, contemporary feel, rather than that grandmotherly style found in a lot of craft books. I'm looking forward to spending a lot more time with D.I.Y." --Gwinnett Daily Post, June 18, 2006
"What separates DIY from other craft books is that Lupton is hoping the projects inspired by it will not just end up on somebody's bedroom shelf. She and her students want the objects to go out into the world, as tangible emissaries of individual creativity. Inspiration begets inspiration." --Washington Post, April 2006
"With technological advances, everyone can be a graphic designer if only to create a personal Web presence, video, CD label, photo book, personal papers, newsletter, T-shirt, greeting card." -- DK Holland --Communication Arts
"Todays D.I.Y. ethic emphasizes customization over craft. The point is not to perfect an underlying skill, but to produce something thats yours alone." --Print
"If Martha Stewart transmogrified into a passel of inventive 20- and 30-somethings, she might have come up with this design handbook about everyday art, which has chapters on everything from books and blogs to invitations, newsletters, posters, stationary, fliers, press packets and t-shirts." --Baltimore Sun
"Whether youre truely artistically inclined or just aspire to be, thi sbook will make you feel like Michelangelo sculpting away at the David.Corporate America should be worried..." -- Joanna Munoz --URB Magazine
"...Its not so much no brand as just be your own brand" -- Jason Tinney --UbaniteBaltimore.com:
"Whatever your aim, you'll find clever ideas, intriguing examples and inspirational starting points." --Computer Arts
"...she wasnt saying, Lets teach everybody to do what we do, but rather, Let them do what we used to do - create ephemeral artifacts. Well learn to use our talents for a higher purpose, to make significant ideas public." -- Ellen Shapiro --Print
"A fun-filled, project-based primer in visual literacy that encourages the aesthetically inclined to get intimate with the design process and become a DIY digital cowboy." --Utne
"Lupton is determined to bring basic design skills to the masses." --House and Garden
"Finally - good design for the masses! This fabulously designed (of course) book was produced collaboratively by the self-described bastard children of the fine arts: MICA graphic design students and faculty....Each page is an open invitation to reinvent your world, as well as yourself." -- Goli Mohammadi --Make: Technology on Your Time:
"Design is a way of thinking and creating that is accessible to everyone." --Coral Gables Living
"On the offing are inspired suggestions for how to customize business cards, clothing, press kits, and zines. If you've got creative juice, D.I.Y. will get it flowing." --ReadyMade
"It's a book. No, it's a web site. Wait! It's both. The book shows you how to create business cards, flyers, invitations . . . and lots more, all packaged in a sophisticated design for non-designers. If you visit the web site, you can pick a project and find design guides to download and a list of fabulous resources to take you farther." --Skirt!
"a hip head-on dive into the world of creative arts...The book offers practical tips on everything from bogging and web site design to how to make a more personal statement with business cards and party invitations." -- Jordan Bartel --Carrol County Times
Simple ideas and concepts are repackaged into sophisticated design solutions for all lifestyles. This book beautifully shows that there are creative uses for anything, from bags, to stagionary, T-shirts, coasters, logos,.. you name it. You Can Do It Too :)- Elke Gasselseder from Baltimore --Just Do It... Yourself (rating 5 out of 5)
"Lupton, a designer/writer/curator/educator who has written the book on D.I.Y. (D.I.Y. Design It Yourself, from Princeton Architectural Press) has had a lot to do with bringing a variety of design disciplines to public consciousness." --Design Arts Daily
Review
"(D.I.Y.) aims to show readers who long to put their personal imprints on everyday items and products how to do just that."
"(D.I.Y.) fills the gap between a designer's knowledge and an average person's vision, showing how to create everything from web blogs and business cards to unique gifts, eye-catching flyers and newsletters, stickers, t-shirts and more." -- James A. Cox
"a newbie's look at the world of graphic design that should appeal to even the most jaded Quark jockey.
Perhaps more importantly, the book is a document of our modern world, where blogging, customized clothing, and handmade posters are the norm." -- J. Bowers
"I love the aesthetic of the book. It has a really young, contemporary feel, rather than that grandmotherly style found in a lot of craft books. I'm looking forward to spending a lot more time with D.I.Y."
"Design ideas and tips for anyone who enjoys publishing and photography and design on paper, T-shirts or the web."
"Blending just the right amount of theory and technique, this book offers constructive and elegant projects that are easy to understand for a range of abilities."
Review
Review
"Whether you're truly artistically inclined or just aspire to be, this book will make you feel like Michelangelo sculpting away at the David.
Corporate America should be worried..." -- Joanna Munoz
"...she wasn't saying, 'Let's teach everybody to do what we do,' but rather, 'Let them do what we used to do - create ephemeral artifacts. We'll learn to use our talents for a higher purpose, to make significant ideas public.'" -- Ellen Shapiro
"Lupton is determined to bring basic design skills to the masses."
"A crash course in promotion and visual design, D.I.Y. - Design It Yourselfis the perfect book for anyone looking to pimp their brand, their band, their blog or just their Christmas card list. "
"It's a book. No, it's a web site. Wait! It's both. The book shows you how to create business cards, flyers, invitations . . . and lots more, all packaged in a sophisticated design for non-designers. If you visit the web site, you can pick a project and find design guides to download and a list of fabulous resources to take you farther."
Book Description
"a hip head-on dive into the world of creative arts...
The book offers practical tips on everything from bogging and web site design to how to make a more personal statement with business cards and party invitations." -- Jordan Bartel
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Princeton Architectural Press
- Publication date : December 27, 2005
- Edition : 2006th
- Language : English
- Print length : 176 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1568985525
- ISBN-13 : 978-1568985527
- Item Weight : 1.15 pounds
- Reading age : 13 years and up
- Dimensions : 7.13 x 0.63 x 8.5 inches
- Grade level : 8 and up
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,299,499 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #930 in Architectural Drafting & Presentation
- #983 in Architecture Reference (Books)
- #8,157 in Art History & Criticism (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Ellen Lupton is a designer, writer, and educator. Her books include Design Is Storytelling, Graphic Design Thinking, Health Design Thinking, and Extra Bold: A Feminist, Inclusive, Anti-Racist, Nonbinary Field Guide for Graphic Designers. The third edition of her bestselling book Thinking with Type launches in March, 2024. She teaches in the Graphic Design MFA program at Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore (MICA), where she proudly serves as the Betty Cooke and William O. Steinmetz Design Chair. She is Curator Emerita at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City, where her exhibitions included Herbert Bayer: Bauhaus Master and The Senses: Design Beyond Vision.
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- Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2012Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseI can't believe all the information in this book. It has so many projects that I want to try that I don't know where to start. All of the instructions are complete as well. There are also projects that I haven't previously been interested in that I would love to experiment with. This is one of the most exciting books I have bought in a long time.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2006Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseThis is a terrific book for ideas all across the board! I bought this book after flipping through it at a friends and was excited to see so many hip and unique ideas. I modeled my wedding invitations after an example from the book and have gotten compliments from all of the invitees! This is an amazing "get you thinking" book. The only drawback, there are no instructions or tips for carrying out the projects, so... you should have some crafting/design knowledge before picking this book up. I would highly recommend it for adventurous souls who want to create something out of the ordinary, or for anyone looking for fresh, new ideas. I've even purchased another copy to give as a gift to a design-oriented friend!
- Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2017Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseThis is a great book if your going int graphic design or artist specialist to keep up with the times.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2007Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseI saw this book years ago and thought I'd like to own it. Now that I do I really am underwhelmed.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2007Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseIn an age where everything looks the same, author Ellen Lupton and her team have put together an inspiring book on how to create graphics (t-shirts, magazines, books, logos) without going through conventional printing processes. Lots of interesting ideas here. A fun and inspiring read.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2007Format: PaperbackI know a little about Lupton's career -- teaching, writing, and curating shows. She seems very intelligent, but I don't understand who this book is really for. Beginning or advanced people? Crafters or designers? Some of the ideas in this book (wrapping paper) are so obvious that I think anyone with an ounce of creativity has already figured them out. Some things (commercial embroidery) seem very advanced and specialized, and not useful to most people. The layout of the book is nice, but the content is very inconsistent. Was this really a student project, as someone mentioned? If so, I think Lupton should have made more of an effort to make sure that everything came together and made for a coherent whole. I think there are better DIY books out there.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2008Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseFirst of all, props to Ellen Lupton yet again. If you are a fan of her other books, you'll like this one too. The book has a TON of great, high quality, color images and is organized in a really easy-to-use fashion. If you have any design experience, the information provided is sufficient for the most part and is good to get new ideas flowing. The only downside I've found is that there isn't quite enough information for some of the categories. Overall, I think the book is great for inspiration and new ideas, just don't expect to be able to do all the things in the book just from what you read.





