Rating: 
Summary: You'd better already know Illustrator
Review: Don't buy this book unless you already know Illustrator. Not for beginners. Also, the step-by step tutorials contain several errors and incomplete information. All in all, this book really disappoints me.
Rating: 
Summary: Enormous Help for Learning Illustrator 10: Get This Book!
Review: Drawing is challenging enough for me in the real world but it is a snap compared to doing it in a vector based computer art program. Illustrator 10 is one such program and the one I am trying to learn. This book is the best one to use after the very easy "Teach Yourself Visually: Illustrator 10 (Visual Read Less, Learn More" by Mike Wooldridge and Michael Toot book (which I've previously reviewed). Steuer's Wow text is very visual with lots of graphics and color yet goes much deeper into the program than the Woolridge and Toot book. Ironically, it is very difficult to find computer arts books which are visual, well laid out and with a colorful, graphical interface. The Wow books are filling that void very nicely. This, like the "Photoshop Wow" book, is easy to read and well laid out. This text also has a very good CD-ROM with it that is loaded with extra features and extra excercises. The CD-ROMs that accompany these texts are the frosting on the cake. More and more art work by artists in the field using the program appear on the CD-ROM while the text visuals remain heavily "how-to." Frankly, I find this book even more helpful than the actual tutorials I've watched in the college classroom in person and live. I highly recommend buying this book if you want to learn Illustrator 10. Author Sharon Steuer is a terrific teacher and her book makes it possible for all of us to take her "class".
Rating:
Summary: Enormous Help for Learning Illustrator 10: Get This Book!
Review: Drawing is challenging enough for me in the real world but it is a snap compared to doing it in a vector based computer art program. Illustrator 10 is one such program and the one I am trying to learn. This book is the best one to use after the very easy "Teach Yourself Visually: Illustrator 10 (Visual Read Less, Learn More" by Mike Wooldridge and Michael Toot book (which I've previously reviewed). Steuer's Wow text is very visual with lots of graphics and color yet goes much deeper into the program than the Woolridge and Toot book. Ironically, it is very difficult to find computer arts books which are visual, well laid out and with a colorful, graphical interface. The Wow books are filling that void very nicely. This, like the "Photoshop Wow" book, is easy to read and well laid out. This text also has a very good CD-ROM with it that is loaded with extra features and extra excercises. The CD-ROMs that accompany these texts are the frosting on the cake. More and more art work by artists in the field using the program appear on the CD-ROM while the text visuals remain heavily "how-to." Frankly, I find this book even more helpful than the actual tutorials I've watched in the college classroom in person and live. I highly recommend buying this book if you want to learn Illustrator 10. Author Sharon Steuer is a terrific teacher and her book makes it possible for all of us to take her "class".
Rating:
Summary: Probably the best Illustrator book out there
Review: Finally a book that SHOWS me what I can do with Illustrator rather than just TELL me what I "could" do... This book has real examples of how real professionals use Illustrator. It's not only great for learning about some really cool stuff, but also great for inspiration. I consider myself a professional and yet I have learned so much from this book.
Rating:
Summary: Wow indeed!
Review: From the ground up, this book presents real-world design projects which emphasize the use of each tool in this complex program. The layout of the book is especially nice; simple typesetting and clear beginning-to-end screenshots demonstrate each follow-along project. The chapters, projects, and galleries progress at the right rate, so that even total new-comers like me don't get lost along the way to the advanced techniques. The result is an effective, logically based, and almost intuitive skill in all areas of illustration.
Rating:
Summary: Good investment!
Review: I don't buy many books on teaching me how to use a software. In fact this book is my first. But I am very satisfied with my purchase. I would recommend this book to those who already know how to use Illustrator, cause if you don't then this book is not for you. This book is great for those who have learned the program on their own or by following tutorials, but have missed out on all those little tips and tricks that make our lives easy when it comes to using the software.
Rating:
Summary: Something could be missing
Review: I haven't bought this book, to be honest. I bought the Illustrator 7 Wow! book and vowed to not buy anything else by this author. The basics were covered, but that book had the deadly flaw that so many other instruction books have, which is lack of support materials. At first look at that book I was very excited at the sophistication of the examples shown, and was very eager to begin studying some advanced techniques. But many of these chapters proved to simply show what techniques were used: in trying to emulate the examples, I found that there was nothing to start working with. Examples that were taken from sketches were provided, for instance, but the CD contained no basic sketches to start with. I don't sketch, so I didn't get any start with this. There were many such chapters. Even worse, the steps involved were not sufficiently detailed. Vague mention of actual procedure was provided, but the steps were not shown. Now, it's my idea that an instructional book should provide INSTRUCTIONS! For a good example, check out Margulis' excellent book PROFESSIONAL PHOTOSHOP: He's actually included the raw files for the book purchaser to practice on. And he has shown each and every step used in his method. Had Steuer provided learning materials, the book would have been ten times as valuable. As it is, it exists as an exercise in frustration. And for me, a big disappointment. Based on this, I will never again purchase a book by this author: there has to be something better out there. Something that might cover less fancy stuff but which actually teaches, rather than merely shows.
Rating:
Summary: Something could be missing
Review: I looked at all the books out there for Illustrator 10 and this one is by far the best instruction guide. First of all, the book is in color so you can understand visually! It guides you through lessons explaining every detail and various ways of accomplishing a task depending on your preference. There is skill building lessons in the book and on the CD with tons of example artwork. The book is layed out in such a way as build your skills as you go or jump in where you need specific expertise. The artwork examples are inspiring. This book definitely has something for everyone, whether you are new to Illustrator or not. For me no other book on Illustrator comes close in value or content, you get what you pay for and this one is well worth the money. If you learn by doing or through visual cues this book will do it for you. If you want a reference manual, buy something else.
Rating:
Summary: This is the book to teach you how to use Illustrator
Review: I looked at all the books out there for Illustrator 10 and this one is by far the best instruction guide. First of all, the book is in color so you can understand visually! It guides you through lessons explaining every detail and various ways of accomplishing a task depending on your preference. There is skill building lessons in the book and on the CD with tons of example artwork. The book is layed out in such a way as build your skills as you go or jump in where you need specific expertise. The artwork examples are inspiring. This book definitely has something for everyone, whether you are new to Illustrator or not. For me no other book on Illustrator comes close in value or content, you get what you pay for and this one is well worth the money. If you learn by doing or through visual cues this book will do it for you. If you want a reference manual, buy something else.
Rating:
Summary: Best way to learn Illustrator- For every level of user
Review: I've been teaching Illustrator classes since 1989. I only wish I'd had the Wow book when I first started.The Illustrator Wow book is one of the best resources EVER for any artist or designer who wants to create illustrations, designs, or graphics. First of all, the artwork is exceptional. Just leafing through the pages becomes an inspriational lesson as to what sort of great graphics are being creating using computers and vector programs. I was totally blown away by some of the artists (yes, REAL artists) who are featured. Ms. Steuer shows examples from artists I have seen mentioned in award show books. Just to see this artwork up close is a benefit, but to then follow the step by step tutorials on how to make the techniques is worth ten times what the book costs. One thing you have to watch out for. If you are a beginner, don't just plop yourself into the middle of the book and expect to follow the sophisticated lessons. You need to work through the introductory chapters to get a handle on what the program does and how the book works. I promise you, just a few minutes with the beginning chapters will change your whole perception of how the book works. This is probably the best version of the Illustrator Wow book yet. Just like Illustrator 10 has blown away all the competition, so the Illustrator 10 Wow book stands apart from all the other books out there.
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