The Elements of Graphic Design: Space, Unity, Page Architecture, and Type - Softcover

Alexander W. White

3.9

513 ratings by Goodreads

9781581152500: The Elements of Graphic Design: Space, Unity, Page Architecture, and Type

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1581152507 ISBN 13: 9781581152500

Publisher: Allworth Press, 2002

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Approach page design in a revolutionary new way! Unlike other graphic design books, The Elements of Graphic Designreveals the secrets of successful graphic design from the unique perspective of the page’s “white space.” With the help of carefully selected examples from art, design, and architecture, the book illuminates the role of each design element and how it can be rendered more effective by including white space in the page architecture. The book also demonstrates how white space can lend “sound” to typography or shift the “weight” of a page. Clear, insightful comments are presented in a dynamic page design, and interactive design elements, thought-provoking captions, and scores of illustrations challenge designers to “think out of the box.”.

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From the Publisher:

Looking At Your Work with Critical Eyes;

Designers Train Their Inner Judgement with Alexander White’s New Graphic Design Primer

Since graphic design went mainstream, lots of highly creative talent has found its way into the industry. Yet when it comes to the quality of today’s design work, the absence of solid aesthetic judgement is often painfully evident.

Boosting the critical and creative sensibilities of design students, self-made designers, and routine-trapped professionals is the goal of THE ELEMENTS OF GRAPHIC DESIGN, a new book by the highly respected graphic designer and design educator Alexander White. In this incisive text, generously illustrated by 350 examples from art, architecture, pop culture, advertising and editorial design, the author demonstrates how imaginative thinking and the lessons gleaned from the best design can lead to quantum leaps in one’s design work.

The foundation of White’s approach to design is the element of space and its counterpart, negative or "white space." With convincing arguments, the author shows that thinking about page design from the point of view of "solids and voids" opens the doors to new, more efficient design solutions.

"The single most overlooked element in visual design is emptiness," the author observes. "The lack of attention it receives explains the abundance of ugly and unread design . . . [Emptiness] is more than just the background of a design, for if a design’s background alone were properly constructed, the overall design would immediately double in clarity and usefulness."

White’s stimulating comment provides beginning designers and professionals with fresh insights into creative, quality-driven design. Readers will learn to

THE ELEMENTS OF GRAPHIC DESIGN teaches designers how to
- Understand the principles of great page design
- Train theirs mind to see form more accurately and more critically
- Develop a sophisticated sense of the seven design components
- Make type choices that are driven by legibility and readability
- Sensitize themselves to seeing space
- Use space to make their design look more active

In addition, THE ELEMENTS OF GRAPHIC DESIGN boasts striking two- and four-color illustrations, a textbook-example page layout, and a detailed chapter on design history. CONTACT: Birte Pampel, 212.777.8395, ext. 13; bpampel@allworth.com

From the Inside Flap:

"Whether you’re looking at a well-designed poster, book, magazine, ad, or Web site, it’s fascinating to see how the same principles of good design apply. Alex White has created an entertaining guide."—Alexander Isley, Founder, Alexander Isley Inc.

"Alex White provides a comprehensive and coherent guide to recognizing and creating effective graphic design. A strong section on typography, including a glossary and bibliography, will prove useful even to the grizzled, embittered old pro."—Daniel Pelavin, Founder, Pelavin Design; and President, the Type Directors Club

"Fluid, thorough, and immensely informative, Alex has written a primer of graphic design bound to become required reading."—Brian Diecks, President/Creative Director, The Diecks Group

"The need to master white space is essential to graphic designers. This is an insightful and inspirational exploration of one of design’s most critical elements."—Susan Cotler-Block, Chair, Communication Design Department, Fashion Institute of Technology

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