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Summary: Buy it for you MS Office-does-it-all friends
Review: One of the best books to get a good start on graphic design. Being harassed with MS Office graphic design from people who belive in WYSIWYG? This is a brilliant birthday present. Buy it. Buy two or ten and give it away!
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Summary: Primer on typography & design
Review: This is an excellent way to learn and understand basic design and typography principles. It is written for the newbie and all the concepts are presented in a clear, consise format. After reading the book, one should have a better understanding of design fundamentals and apply them to print and web projects. This book will also show you how to spot good design from bad -- all Robin Williams says are tried and true design concepts that have been around for ages -- in this day and age of ostentatious design, it's refreshing to go back to the old school.
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Summary: Great book, easy to read with excellent examples
Review: I purchased this book several years ago. It is an easy read and makes very good points which are also illustrated by great examples. I was able to take what I learned from this book and significantly improve the layout of my documents, resume, etc.I've given several copies of this book to friends who have all found it very helpful. Sometimes when I am asked to review someone else's resume or document I find significant layout problems. It is often difficult to describe the concepts involved (e.g. alignment issues). I've found that I can just reach for this book on my shelf, thumb to an appropriate page that shows before and after examples, and watch the light bulbs go on in the other person's face. It is so much easier to get the concept across by having good examples to refer to. This book contains great examples.
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Summary: Concise Guide for the Beginner
Review: I have been a teaching assistant for desktop publishing classes at the University of Maryland University College since February 1998 and I have worked with desktop publishing since 1992. In addition, I have just been hired to teach a design concepts class at The George Washington University. Coming from that background, I read this book for a class I took at the University of Maryland College Park called "Editing and Document Design." I found the book a very good guide to design, very concise, and very effective with explaining principles of design. My one big complaint about the book is that Williams is often too blunt with her advice. Otherwise, it would have gotten a full five stars.
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Summary: Outstanding reference book
Review: This was an optional textbook in my UCLA Extension "Information Design" class, and I have kept it close at hand ever since. I got tired of carrying it back and forth between home and work, so I bought a second copy for home. Robin's ideas are visually appealing, easy to follow, and above all just make great sense. I challenge anyone to find a more concise yet information-packed reference at this price. Buy two, you won't be sorry!
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Summary: Not good enough!
Review: I dont think this book is good at all. It is too simple, even for a novice...
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Summary: This Book is a Real Gem !
Review: If I could only choose one book out of the multitude of design books, this would be the one. The book small little book is packed with very powerful design principles. The book is clear, simple, and a pleasure to read. Every concept is followed with an illuminating illustration. Even though it is aimed at the novice, I would consider this book analogous to White and Strunk's Elements of Style.
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Summary: easy to follow, get results immediately!
Review: Robin Williams' book is a perfect guide for designing fliers, newsletters, letterhead, etc. The results are works that are clear, modern and eye-catching!! Great value!
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Summary: Easy to understand, quickly improved my layout skills
Review: The book is very clear and provides simple guidelines for improving visual clarity and presentation. I went to design school and I never learned this stuff (hate to admit it). This book instantly helped me improve my layout skills. I highly recommend it.
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Summary: This has changed how I view all printed work!
Review: GREAT book! I bought this solely on the reviews below and was skeptical, but the price was right and I cannot get it anywhere else due to my location. I must say I am thrilled with it. It immediately starts showing you the principles of design, how small changes can make huge differences, and has really helped me in layout for a local newsletter I do. I cannot recommend it enough.
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