Working With Words and Pictures (Graphic Design Basics)

Offers advice on combining words and pictures for logos, ads, brochures, and posters, and describes more advanced aspects of design, discussing color printing, special photography, and white space

YA-A friendly resource for anyone who wants to learn the principles of good design. Siebert and Cropper discuss words and visuals-the two basic elements of layout-and "Putting It All Together." In a show-and-tell approach, they present the elemental dos and don'ts of combining types and artwork and plenty of instructional examples that illustrate and apply these rules. The concluding chapter includes actual logos, ads, newsletters, brochures, letterheads, posters, and packaging. While primarily a guide for beginners, the text offers helpful advice to experienced graphic artists as well. It gives down-to-earth explanations about intricate aspects of design, such as color printing, special photography effects, white space, and "smart quotes." A lesson in the "Putting It All Together" section of professional designs, while perhaps the least impressive part of the book, does provide graphic artists with full-color ideas to use as starting points. An invaluable reference for layout artists.
Gretchen Portwood, W.T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.