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

By Alex W. White

Book Overview

Now in full color in a larger size 40% more content and over 750 images to enhance and better clarify the concepts in this thought-provoking resource for graphic designers, professors, and students. This very popular design book has been wholly revised and expanded to feature a new dimension of inspiring and counterintuitive ideas to thinking about graphic design relationships. The second edition includes a new section on web design and new discussions of modularity, framing, motion and time, rules of randomness, and numerous quotes supported by images and biographies. This pioneering work provides designers, art directors, and students--regardless of experience--with a unique approach to successful design. Veteran designer and educator Alex. W. White has assembled a wealth of information and examples in his exploration of what makes visual design stunning and easy to read. Readers will discover White's four elements of graphic design, including how to: define and reveal dominant images, words, and concepts; use scale, color, and position to guide the viewer through levels of importance; employ white space as a significant component of design and not merely as background; and use display and text type for maximum comprehension and value to the reader. Offering a new way to think about and use the four design elements, this book is certain to inspire better design. Allworth Press, an imprint of Skyhorse Publishing, publishes a broad range of books on the visual and performing arts, with emphasis on the business of art. Our titles cover subjects such as graphic design, theater, branding, fine art, photography, interior design, writing, acting, film, how to start careers, business and legal forms, business practices, and more. While we don't aspire to publish a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are deeply committed to quality books that help creative professionals succeed and thrive. We often publish in areas overlooked by other publishers and welcome the author whose expertise can help our audience of readers. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1581152507
• ISBN13: 9781581152500
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Allworth Press
• Length: 149 Pages
• Weight: 0.84 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.2" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Great fundamentals for an intermediate level designer

This book is perfect for somewhat who is at an intermediate stage in their design skills. Perhaps you've taken a few classes and maybe have done a few projects, freelance or otherwise, and didn't really have an applied approach to what you designed but somehow hashed it out. I am of course also speaking for myself and found that I needed some solid principles to focus and direct my designing and a frame of reference to...

Design fundamentals an engineer can understand

Been looking for an entry point to graphic design for a long time, but this book is the first time I've actually "got it". Very succinct, no hand-waving, with excellent explanations and examples. I was working on a document design while reading this book, and with each chapter I was able to further revise the design and see it evolve. I'm very indebted to the author for opening up a whole new part of my right-brain.

The #1 small book about learning graphic design

The book is short, sweet, loaded with excellent examples and it teaches many of the essentials in an easy, enjoyable manner. I am a software developer by trade, but I also do graphical design for user interfaces and web sites. I can't afford to absorb a large amount of material on this subject just to extract the essentials. This book is exactly what I need. The Elements of Graphic Design lives up to its namesake, Strunk...

A GOOD SOLID BOOK FOR DESIGNERS

Very solid book (but short) packed with examples of why one strategy or tactic might be better than another. I learned a lot and intend to reread the book to make sure I get as much of it absorbed as I can. Very good discussions on type with discussions on line spacing, type size, small caps, grids, symmetry vs. asymmetry, negative and positive space. Wish I would have read this book before I went to design school. I would...

Wonderful - An Instant Classic!

A fantastic overview of the principles of layout and how to understand space and "the page", with special concern for the issue of functional white space and learning how to activate it, sculpt it, and not waste it. In a milieu of visual clutter, this gift to the design world (if its message is taken to heart) will help restore order and readability in the communications that surround us.