All Graphics Designers - A Must
352970
As an owner of a graphic design studio, I have a huge library of design books. Your book is one of the best investments I have made since I opened my business. It's wonderful for design and color inspiration.
1344748
Whether you're an expert designer, or someone who just kind of fell into it because there was no one else around willing to do it, Before & After is a quintessential guide. I've been designing for more than 15 years, and it's the resource I turn to more than any other, whether for ideas, technical advice, or just the wow of their incredible designs. Immerse yourself. You'll find you're a better designer for it, I promise.
1590964
"The Book of Gimp: A Complete Guide to Nearly Everything"

Whether this is your first introduction to Gimp or it is your favorite software graphics application, "The Book of Gimp: A Complete Guide to Nearly Everything" will prove to be a valuable resource for learning how to use to the program and utilizing it to its full advantage.

With over 600 pages of material, at first glance, "The Book of Gimp: A Complete Guide to Nearly Everything" can be very intimidating, but it is very well thought out and covers all of the topics in great detail. The authors do an incredible job of explaining how to use the different tools and why you would want to use them. In addition, throughout the book are a number of wonderful tutorials and "hints" that the end user can apply to their everyday use of the program.

I use Gimp for photo editing and photo art. The authors include a massive amount of examples of before and after shots so you have a really good idea of how a tool or effect will correct or improve your image. The sections dealing with photography retouching, composite photography, image processing, and logos and textures were the most interesting for me. Combining these sections with a better understanding of layers, filters, and color, all found in the Reference Section, I have a discovered that I have only been scratching the surface on how powerful Gimp is. There are a number of techniques that I am looking forward to applying to my photo editing and art.

"The Book of Gimp: A Complete Guide to Nearly Everything" is an excellent introduction Gimp for the beginner and a powerful resource for the experienced user. This is the one book that I would recommend to anyone looking to take advantage of the powerful application, Gimp.
3952585
This book is extremely enlightening for programming games design. The best part is that with each new book, I find new ideas for colors, or textures for gaming design.  It has everything inside you need to know if you never, ever had the slightest idea on how to program a game design, app design. I enjoy this book very much. I recommend this book to anyone getting started in Game Programming, System Administration, App Programming, and Automation & Database Systems.
1168204
I purchased this book when it was first published back in early 2000 and still use it on a regular basis.  I find it's a great visual reference for when you're stuck on coming up with color combo's and as someone previously mentioned, skip the text and jump straight into the color pallets. Although some of the color combo's may look a little outdated, you can quickly tweak to suit your project and update accordingly.
A classic book that should be in every graphic designer's bookshelf.
2217518
You get 50 fabulous designs in this book, Images are crisp and clear. The pages are white and good thickness. I use card stock between my pages if I want to use markers to be safe from bleed through. You can take the page and copy it also. These mandalas are not just round, there are may different shaped mandalas. This is the one you will go to over and over. Attention to detail is top notch.  You really need to check this book out.  I would recommend the book to anyone, novice to advanced colorist.
2841836
This is a very well written book on designing your  own graphics applications for Windows, no matter what type of application you are wanting to do. Mark Walmsley goes into good detail about designing many  different types of applications from simple display program to advanced  subjects such as 3D modeling. Mr. Walmsley address many common errors and  pitfalls with the included examples. The only downside to this book is that  you must have a good working knowledge of C++ and Windows to be able to  fully understand all of the concepts he describes. Being a relativly new  person to C++ I found on many occasions having to look through many other  resources to understand some items that the book takes for granted that you  should already know.
I would reccomend this book to anyone who is  interested in writing a graphics application, but I would say that if you  are a beginning programmer you either will want to keep other books handy  or try one of the other titles that is available first.
3062984
I got this book during my junior year in high school for an intro to graphic design class...and still refer to it every so often. I would recommend it for any graphic designer, especially students, as it has a wealth of knowledge-from basic design principles to the grid, typogrpahy, etc.- contained in it's small amount of pages.

A must have for any graphic designer!
704232
Simply put, this is a "must have" book for any technical communicator or graphic artist at or above the masters degree level of education--or anyone who deals with advanced visual design/rhetoric. It has a wealth of references and research to back the theories explained in the text, and Schriver is one of the field's leading experts.

The book will come across as "too much information" for people who are only passively interested in document design, and that's okay. There are shorter, less detailed books out there for those "casual" readers with no interest in research, reference, history, or background material. (The Allen & Bacon series "Designing Visual Language" springs immediately to mind.)

The book's only shortcoming is that it is becoming a little dated, 12 years old at the time of this review. An expanded 2nd edition with new materials related to online design and multimedia would be welcome--if not a whole new book in and of itself.
2587490
This is a must read for anyone in graphic design, advertising or anyone who is interested in learning about the process behind designing iconic logos.  Everything from the design of the book itself, to the logos presented in the book is amazing.

Logo Design Love will make you stop and think about how you are approaching design.  David Airy writes in a very upbeat manner which makes reading it enjoyable.  The topics covered are very relevant, and are there to help guide you to make your own decisions.  I especially like the bit about gathering information in the beginning of the process, and how much to charge your clients.  David Airy re-enforces things that most of us in the design world have heard before, introduces us to some new things, but all the information is great to read nevertheless.  It is good to reminded of those basics so we can sometimes step back and examine how we can improve ourselves.

I hope everyone in design reads this book, I simply could not put it down.  I will use it as a reference later on as well.
243496
If you love color,texture, and excellent design, Nancy Curry's "Texture Effects" is a must have for your creative library.  As I perused this book from cover to cover, my mind literally filled with ways in which I could incorporate the many techniques included into my own art work.  And, if you're new to the world of rubber stamping, this book will be an invaluable introduction to the many ways you can use stamps and various supplies to create beautiful cards and gifts.  As is typical of North Light Books, the photography is excellent and the instructions provided in an easy-to-follow, step-by-step fashion.  While most of the techniques are done on greeting cards or small gift items, they could easily be adapted to collages on various surfaces, altered book pages, and many other substrates.  In my opinion, the combined talents of Nancy Curry and North Light Books have resulted in a publication that will prove to be a true gift not just to stampers, but to any artist who understands the value of texture, color, and good design or desires to learn more about incorporating them into their own work.
2595676
Was advised to buy from instrucor as additional class materials and found I love this book! Covers from core information to breaking down new media and cutting edge styles. Would not go without this book if you are interested in learning about graphic design as an art and a science. Great organization and use of information -good for any level designer.

Don't pay retail... GET IT ON AMAZON!
4135723
Better than the first edition ( which was great), everything has been  updated with the latest developments, information and  relevant  illustrations.  Designers are faced with the task of designing fluidly  (being accustomed to traditional media) in a medium that has many  restrictions, and this book is the most up to date, concise and  inspirational source out there right now.  There are plenty of illustations  / pictures to see how other real designers have combined their vision and  technical expertise to create what has to be termed an exemplary marriage  of  form/ function.  All of the key concepts are clearly and concisely  presented as that is the specialty of the books' designers. This is the  book to get right now.
995645
This book explains clearly how to read and write many forms of graphics file and has extensive source code examples. Absolutely wonderful.
1065039
This is one of the DESIGN books from Ava Academia's celebrated "Basics" series.

Is it for me?

Ava traditionally focuses on "student" readership which may appear niche in its focus but one should really apply the principle that "all life is learning" and then Ava books have a much wider application than just your traditional student at university or college.

I for one, am a director/owner of a small freelance design agency and I find their Basics range excellent reference books for me and my staff. I have most of their Basics - Design series to hand for quick references, to substantiate current understanding of design terms and standards, and of course to settle any design "arguments". ;)

What it covers:

The principal chapters - The Basics, Techniques, What Images Mean, Using Images, Images in Practice and Mark Making.

Things that stand out for me:

* Brilliant, succinct definitions.
* The book itself is testament to exquisite high quality print production and design.
* The sample artwork used to illustrate the various definitions, processes and design concepts are from cutting edge design agencies.

Why would I recommend this book?

* Very useful for interns and juniors to get up to speed with agency lingo and technical processes in graphic design and production.
* A excellent aid to use when illustrating different printing options to clients.
* And like with many of the collaborative publishing efforts from Gavin Ambrose and Paul Harris this book is full of artistic inspiration.

Is it value for money?

Yes! As always with Ava Publishing this book is definitely worth your pennies.

What next?

On my wish list - Basics Design 05 - COLOUR, not to mention the more advanced reader of the series - The Production Manual - A Graphic Design Handbook.
4518848
As a designer, I'm always looking for reference when designing anything, especially logos and logotypes. This book and these series of books are the ultimate resource for me. I've never seen a book with more logos between it's covers than this. Very nice!
957897
If there's one book on design you purchase, make it this one!  From small format websites to brochures, CD cover art and more, John McWade gives you just the knowledge you need, without the jargon.  Lots of practical and concise, real world examples that will get you started on your own projects in no time flat.  I especially appreciated the chapters on color theory and page layout.  This is one of the few books on design I will hold on to...and don't I know it.