She gives great techniques on producing good design
937138
As an ad student, this book makes the basics so clear to understand. She gives great techniques on producing good design, brainstorming and ideating. The examples of case studies and interviews of professionals are inspiring, especially as a student. Honestly, this will be a book I will continue to refer back to in my career.

To all other ad students, I would 100% recommend. It will definitely help in your studies!
890765
Peggy is a friend of mine and a great inspiration.  My skills are not great at precise piecing but I find this book amazing and inspiring.  It makes me want to do a better job at the piecing I do.  Peggy's mind is amazing as she goes through the design process.  I have read the book cover to cover and continue to go back to just admire the pictures.  The fabric choices are so good it just makes you want to make something bright and cheerful.
2715899
This book really helped to open my mind for the types of things i need to incorporate into my designs. Not only are the ideas great, but the book is written well, with plenty of great examples along the way to illustrate the points.
I feel my work is already more alive and interesting as a result of reading this book, and to be honest i am sad it is finished.

Tom clearly knows his stuff, and has my admiration. I also loved that other styles and artists were incorporated in to a common challenge.  Great book, thanks Tom!
4387660
Unique designs and strategies.  Very impressed with the ease with which I'll be able to make or adapt some different and clever designs.  I haven't had a Suzanne McNeill book until now but I'll surely be looking for more of her work.
3811601
I love the way she gracefully puts things together. Her finished product is so elegant. I've only made one item so far but there are many more that I want to make.
1505035
Where my reveiw is coming from is a student of graphic design and who has read 5-8 books on the subject.

This full color book is condensed but has great information. It is very useful to someone new to design but also has some great areas to read for the more experienced designer as well such as ways to help solve design issues, a good approach on research for design, and working with clients in touched upon.

Good design examples employed from a variety of sources not just the author. The design of the book reinforces the idea that good design should make reading fun and most importantly convey the intended message which I think she does masterfully.

She listed the essentials to design in a unique approach that I have not seen else where. A lot of the design elements which in other books is given a full chapter on is contained in the chapter entitled "Contrast." I like to have things explained to me in a variety of ways so it was helpful to read about from a different angle.
4636298
I wish I could give this book eleven stars, but Amazon made me stop at five.  I don't actually quilt, but I'm in love with Sassaman's design style.  When my mom said she'd make me a quilt as a housewarming gift, I bought this book to give her, but got it shipped to me so I could peek at it first.  Mom can pry this book from my cold, dead hands!  The design advice in this book is universally brilliant and easily transcends quilting as a medium and applies to any form of visual design.

As soon as I started reading the words and drinking in the stunning photographs, I was jolted out of a six-month creative slump, and have been working with that inspiration for the six months since.

I really hope I can also apply some of the quilting-specific ideas to my polymer clay work, but that will have to wait until I get my workshop space set back up after the move.
1363280
This book has been very helpful showing designs for backgrounds. It's great that she shows the steps how to create each design.
4367860
This beautifully illustrated book of interior designs shows the work of Cecil Hayes. She has a style all her own which may or may not be to your liking. However, in creating these designs she has come up with a list of nine steps in the decorating process:

Get to Know Your Space

Create Your Personal Look Book

Create a Furniture Plan

Decorate One Layer at a Time

Mix Styles and Periods

Choose Your Colors

Use a Variety of Fabric Patterns and Textures

Decorate with Art and Accessories

Evaluate Your Finished Design.

The rooms pictured here are heavily decorated, Ms. Hayes is clearly not of the minimalist school of decorating. This is, of course a matter of personal choice and is part of her nine steps - Create Your Personal Look Book.

This book is one that's filled with ideas. Even if they don't appeal to you, you'll be able to see concepts in decorating that you haven't seen before. and the steps she describes make very good sense.
3132485
This is an excellent and well written book! Lindsay Adler gives great tips on weekly projects that spark creativity. All of the chapters are easy to understand, and I like the way she added camera info, as well as the methods she used to create the images. I also liked the way she spoke about the inspiration of each photo. I've been following Lindsay's work for a couple of years now, and was happy to see her beauty retouching techniques nicely laid out in it's own chapter. Before, I was frantically taking notes on her live demonstrations, but now I have it all at hand. Thank you Lindsay, this is just what I needed to spark my creativity!
4269935
This is a great book for those that want a good design book that is creative, informative and really give good insight to regular people. Regular people that had simple methods that aren't expensive or hard to do or find in their spaces. This book not only has spaces but how to's and do it yourselves with great instructions, they could use some pictures with those instructions though. I only wish more information about the spaces were provided, like the size, layout/blueprint and where they bought or found their furniture but this is one of my favorite books, when a second one comes out, I will be getting it. I really loved this book but it could use more pictures but still a great book.
1712505
This book and some of the other books from the Design Briefs series, have become an integral part of my working resource library. Ellen Lupton's book has been one that I have used over and over again. I often reference it when I am faced with a blank page that I am having a hard time laying out.

The section on typography, the largest section of the book, was a very interesting read. I enjoyed learning about the history of printing and typography. Beginning designers will appreciate the categorizing of typefaces. This leads into the discussion of electronic typesetting and the limitations and challenges that has created for designers.

Lupton's book shed a lot of light on different strategies for organizing type, graphics, and pictures on my own layouts. Unlike many other books on graphic design, Lupton's book was down-to-earth and was easy for a non-designer (like myself) to understand. It used some meaningful practical examples, instead of relying on art school projects that have limited real-life applications.

The section on grids was one of the most easy to understand that I have ever come across. It also gave many examples of grids that can be incorporated for page layout. Lupton also gave a decent low-level overview on the golden section, but she did not give enough of examples of how the golden section can be used as a more flexible grid.

One of my favourite parts of her book is the section on proofreading where she has one of the best proofreader's marking charts that I have ever seen. I have used this resource on complex projects like annual reports with agency graphic designers. No more second-guessing edits, Lupton's list captures it all. In fact, a lot of the designers and account reps who have used it with me consider it to be a time (and money) saver.

This book is probably too basic for seasoned designers, but if you just bought a copy of InDesign, or you're working in a corporate communications department and expected to create some basic layouts, you will take away a lot of good ideas and principles from this book. It covers off on many of the principles of good design without leaving you feeling overwhelmed.
824680
I'm fairly new to mixed media/collage art. But I just finished a project based on one in this book, and it turned out beautifully. Lisa's ideas, tips and explanations are clear and easy to produce. The book itself is so pretty and pleasing to the eye. I've also taken a couple of classes from Lisa. She is passionate about her art, and is a genuinely lovely, funny and warm lady. LOVE her work, and will purchase her other books.
3338909
I have a collection of books on architecture, interior design and fine homes and generally examine all of the notable volumes that appear at the bookseller. I ran across this book the other day and was ready to dismiss it because I usually dislike design books that are more about the designer than their designs, especially if there are multiple shots of said designer in evening wear. However, Ms. McDonald won me over with the quality and breadth of the projects she chose to present in this volume, even if I'm not typically a fan of her kind of decorating. The interiors are striking, the photography is generally beautiful (with a few exceptions, where the photography is not up to par) and the whole package is well-presented. This is a fine addition to anyone's design library.
4899290
The main value of this book are the instructions of various stringing techniques, some of which were new to me. The designs themselves are understated, which in a way is good. You will be inspired to alter them to make your own creations and not copy a work of art.

One design, a multistrand bead with a center pendant, was really versatile. The center stone was a turquoise bead, a large one. But if you create your own lampwork beads or polymer clay beads or other type of bead, you could easily adapt this design to showcase your creation. That's what I like best about "Stringing Style"--there are great ideas that are like yeast in the bread--something to get the creative ideas bubbling.

The designs are worth making to learn "Beading 101" but the book also has value for the more advanced beader who is looking for design ideas. While not packed with ooh and ahh pictures, this book will have you thinking about what kind of beaded necklace or earring you want to make next.

There is also a front section of a wardrobe of earrings and bracelets--many variations on simple themes. This is bound to help the crafter get good ideas.

Finally, quite a few of the designs looked like things you'd love to own--a fire bracelet--shades of yellow to fire-ruby clustered in a strand. Stunning. There were more. Lots of eye candy here.
4662985
Ms. Abling has done an excellent job illustrating how to illustrate, for apparel. The workbook-like format is easy to follow and instinctually laid out. She explains the materials needed, and the techniques she uses to create lovely illustrations. A must-own for any fashion design student.

As a side-note, she also has several great YouTube videos explaining some of her techniques as well. They're a nice supplement to this book.
1279430
I really like this book and the designs inside. Most of the designs are complex in nature and range from small to large patterns. I have found that the variety of pictures really help develop thinking skills as forethought is needed to complete the pictures so that the end result is beautiful.