Layout Workbook: A Real-World Guide to Building Pages in Graphic...

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 240 pages
• Published by: Rockport Publishers May 1, 2007
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 1592533523
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-1592533527
• Book Dimensions: 9 x 9 x 0.7 inches
• Weighs: 1.8 pounds

Book Description
New in Paperback! An inspired resource for creating great layouts

Layout Workbook is one of five volumes in Rockport's series of practical and inspirational workbooks that cover the fundamental areas of the graphic design business. In this edition, author Kristin Cullen tackles the often perplexing job of nailing down a layout that works.

More than a collection of great examples of layout, this book is an invaluable resource for students, designers, and creative professionals who seek design understanding and inspiration. The book illuminates the broad category of layout, communicating specifically what it takes to design with excellence. It also addresses the heart of design-the how and why of the creative process.

Cullen approaches layout with a series of step-by-step fundamental chapters (a "how-to" of layout) addressing topics such as The Function of Design, Inspiration, The Design Process, Intuition, Structure and Organization, The Interaction of Visual Elements, Typography, and Design Analysis. The book offers inspirational quotations and a unique, progressive design that truly reflects its content.

About The Author
Kristin Cullen teaches graphic design at the University of Cincinnati and has also taught at the University of Illinois and the Rhode Island School of Design. For years, she worked as a designer at award-winning Chicago design firms, where she created a wide range of communication materials. Kristin lives in Cincinnati, OH.

Reader Reviews
This review is from: Layout Workbook: A Real-World Guide to Building Pages in Graphic Design (Hardcover) An excellent book on the basics of graphic design. One of the hardest books to find (despite the seeming abundance of them being published) is a well rounded book of design that is useful to both the beginning and advanced student of graphic design. This book provides a strong overview of topics ranging from the pragmatic (project briefs, client interaction) and the technical (grids, hierarchies, typography) to the elusive (intuition, conceptualization). It also provides specific information (anatomy of grids, use of em and en dashes, classification of typefaces) that I've had to go to separate books for in the past. As the title implies though, it does not cover issues that don't directly relate to graphic layouts (e.g. logos, signage, websites) though many of the principles can be applied to them. It also does not delve deeply into color systems, just looking at the role of color in hierarchies and compositions. I find the title slightly misleading in that it is not what I would normally consider a workbook. It covers the entire design process step by step, so in that sense its very instructional but when I think of workbooks I imagine sample projects, worksheets, etc. It has more in common with an instructional / reference / design specimen book (a third of the book is a catalog of design projects done by professional designers). As mentioned above its focus is print layouts so there is little direct reference to web or interface design. Overall, it is a well conceived, well designed book that gives a design student the basics of print design and can replace a variety of other books on your shelf. Comment | | (Report this)