Still Looking Good in Print

Friday’s Creative Review for Graphic Designers

I’ve got a TON of books in my design library. Some I like more than others. Some are more useful than others.

There are few books that I review from time to time and seem to pick up on new things everytime I read them. Looking Good in Print falls into that category.

Looking Good In Print was the first book I bought from Roger C. Parker. It was the reason I decided to buy the rest of his collection of books.

More and more, design books are becoming portfolio pieces. There are sparse tips included and the majority of the book is dedicated to showcasing the work of the author. As they say, it’s more filler than it is killer content.

With these books, many times, you have to go and hunt for more information on the subject because it’s covered in such a superficial way.

Roger’s books are more for the newbie designer, they are not software specific, and you get lots of tips and tricks you can immediately put to use in your designs.

What do I like about it so much?

1. It’s a well-divided and well-rounded book: Roger’s book is divided into 3 main sections. He details the elements of graphic design in his first section. He then moves on to designing various document formats (ads, brochures, catalogs,…) Then for the third part, he goes into more detail about designing documents for your business.
2. Gives quick suggestions and tips you can immediately use: I hate reading lots of text that can be boiled down to 2 sentences. Roger provides tips and techniques that you can immediately implement to make your designs look good.
3. Unpretentious: This book is perfect for the newbie in design as well as those who are designing but have had no formal training. In his introduction he says in fact, that it’s not for “Madison Avenue art directors”. It’s presented in clear, easy language anyone can grasp.
4. Lots of illustration so you can see the changes at work: He shows you what he’s talking about with loads of pictures. It’s a black and white book and there’s also a section that is in color.
5. Gives tip for all kinds of formats: Gives you a great overall view on designing different formats. You will learn more and the specific challenges of designing different formats.

CONCLUSION:

If you are a newbie in design, this book should be required reading.

It will give you the foundation you need in order to create professional designs.

Looking Good in Print is still a classic, should be on every designer’s bookshelf, and it does provide you with a solid foundation in the timeless and fundamental principles of design.

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How to handle critiquing a design

Friday’s Creative Review for Graphic Designers

When people ask my opinion on design, I’m usually quite happy to do it. I love design and love looking at good and bad design. I love dissecting it.

Having said that, I do watch what I say and how I say it.

Where I learned to watch what you say

I, like most people, had a best friend throughout high school. I only discovered design after having finished college. She had discovered it in College.

Naturally, when I started design school, I went over to her apartment one night and had promised to bring along some of my work. So, I went there armed with my pieces.

I asked for her opinion because up until that point, I valued her opinion.

What she said devastated me and made me VERY self-conscious of my work. This happened 10 years ago and has had a lasting impact to this very day.

She looked over one particular brochure — a mockup for the National Film Board of Canada. She said to me, making a face as if she’s smelled something funny in the air, “Oh, I haven’t seen the National Film Board of Canada having designs like that.” That’s it. No why she didn’t like it or what was “wrong” with it. Just that.

I’d love to be able to say something flippant about it, but the fact remains, that it really crushed me. Here was one of my best friends criticizing my work. AND offering no reason for it.

C O N C L U S I O N

Did it matter that she couldn’t find a job in design? She had sent countless CVs here in Montreal and could not find any job. She had to move away. Did it matter that she switched over to being a Webmaster and focusing on the web? NO. That she had no real knowledge of design theory when you grilled her? NO.

Did it make any difference that the piece she criticized (and could not explain why) actually got the highest mark of the class? I got a 10/10 for it and was the only one who got a 10/10. NO.

Did it matter that the teacher who graded it was a very well-known and well-seasoned designer? NO.

The final say really did end with my ex-friend. In the back of my mind, I always feel that I suck. I always doubt my abilities. No matter how good the design is.

Watch what you say because it can leave a permanent scar. For most of us, we give more importance and weight to the negative comments than to the positive.

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One minute designer review

Friday’s Creative Review for Graphic Designers

I’m constantly on the lookout for really good design books. I’ve got tons of theory books on design. In my opinion, it’s probably more important to know design theory than it is to know all the bells and whistles of a software program.

I know: not many think that way. However, looking at the many crappy-looking layouts out there, more should pay attention to the elements that create good looking layouts — not just how to add filters and effects.

There’s a book out there that’s one of my favorites and I think has been overly ignored and not given it’s due at all. It’s Roger C. Parker’s One-Minute Designer. Now, I’m not sure why the “one-minute” is hyphenated, but this is one great book.

I love hearing a great tip that will make my life easier. And, if you are just getting started in design this book gives over 200 ideas on how to quickly improve your design (hence the title).

Why do I love it so much?

One mistake I think theory of design books make is that they teach only the theory.

Let me explain… Most design books will explain a particular design concept is but they don’t show you how to achieve contrast. Here’s what this book will do for you and your designs:

1. It explains how to make your layouts better: quick tips on how to instantly make your layouts better. It’s almost as if Roger analyzed the pitfalls of beginners and put how to cure these in this book.
2. It’s a how-to book: When first starting out as a designer, knowing the theory is really great. Knowing how to apply the theory is even better. I don’t need to know what contrast is, I need to know how to use it. This book shows you how to apply design principles to instantly make your layouts more professional.
3. You literally see the difference minor changes make: Each tip is on it’s own page and is shown in action.
4. Tips are categorized by design elements and project-specific: chapters include tips on type (separated into display and body copy, visuals, graphic accents, color.) The projects he covers are everything from ads to resumes. If you know the area you want to explore in more detail, you can go directly to that section.

C O N C L U S I O N

I always say that what differentiates the professional versus amateur designs is the details.

That’s what this book is all about: the details that make your designs more professional.

To learn more about Roger C. Parker, you can check out his site www.publishedandprofitable.com where he even has a blog!

I will also be interviewing him this month! I’ll give you more details soon. Stay tuned…

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It’s still a classic: Editing by Design Review

Friday’s Creative Review for Graphic Designers

When I was first starting out in design, there were a couple of books that are considered “classics” in terms of design theory. It’s so much easier to find books on how to use design software than it is to find a really good one on design theory.

I’ve had the first edition of “Editing by Design” by Jan V. White for over 10 years now. I love this book.

Why? Old school design theory intrigues me and it’s as relevant today as it was 30 years ago when “Editing by Design” first came out.

First off, don’t judge this book by its cover

A lot of people have commented that it’s an ugly cover; but inside it’s a gem! It’s a modern day Leonardo’s notebook for designers.

You just know that by reading this book you are getting inside the mind of a great graphic designer: you’re learning how he thinks and how he creates great layouts.

I’ll admit, I was a little worried when I found out that Jan White was putting out a third edition to his classic. I thought that with all these advances in design it would lose the essence and character of his previous editions.

Boy, was I wrong!

Why you need to read this book if you are a designer:

1. He practices what he preaches: Everyone talks about how we should use thumbnails before designing. No one ever includes what they actually look like though! Jan’s book is filled with hand-drawn sketches of the concepts he preaches.
2. Theory meets practice: It’s good to know design theory but it’s even better to know how to apply it. I’ve read so many books about design principles, but few ever talk about how to apply them. Jan’s book describes the principles and then he’ll show them at work.
3. A visual book: As they say “a picture is worth a thousand words”. When you first pick up his book and flip through it, you’ll see that there are more pictures than words. Rather than use words to say what he means, he’ll show you exactly what he means.

C O N C L U S I O N

I always say that good design is all about the details. This book talks about all those details that make a design work.

His book clearly shows that although we’ve had advances in technology, the theory behind design is timeless. Good design starts in your head, is sketched and then transfered to a computer. But, most importantly, you don’t need all the bells and whistles of today’s design programs to get your point across and create some outstanding designs.

All your software program’s bells and whistles will never replace good design.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

I had the opportunity of interviewing Jan V. White (he’s part of my editorial board on Design and Thrive). I probably sound way more high-pitched than usual as I was very nervous! So nervous I forgot to ask him what the V. stand for! But, I will find out!

• You can listen to the interview here.
• Read a more in-depth review of his book on www.designandthrive.com.

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