Rating: 
Summary: Couldn't teach without it!
Review: I've been working with Illustrator since it came out and I've been teaching it for almost as long. I use this book as a teaching guide and as inspiration to create better work. I show it to my students and "Wow" them to go beyond what they think they are capable of doing. While other books focus on technical aspects of the program, this book focus on the creative input of working artist. If you want technical aspects to learn the program read the manual. If you want to challenge your creative input to rocket you into better art, read this book. My hat is off to Sharon Steuer for bringing it all together in such a presentable, encouraging, energetic way. Wow!
Rating: 
Summary: Good artwork, iffy text
Review: If I wanted a coffee table book, I would have bought a coffee table book. Too much fluff and not enough good stuff. The basics are too basic and the images are too hard to duplicate.
Rating:
Summary: A GREAT book
Review: The initial glance at the seeming lackluster rating of this book does not do it justice. It seems to be influenced by the people who know nothing about illustrator, and bought this book hoping to learn how to use it. This is NOT what this book is about. First buy a book on basics, then get this book after you have a working knowledge of the program. You'll then first appreciate the thorough overview, poignant tips, and very impressive and helpful exercises.
Rating:
Summary: A GREAT book
Review: The initial glance at the seeming lackluster rating of this book does not do it justice. It seems to be influenced by the people who know nothing about illustrator, and bought this book hoping to learn how to use it. This is NOT what this book is about. First buy a book on basics, then get this book after you have a working knowledge of the program. You'll then first appreciate the thorough overview, poignant tips, and very impressive and helpful exercises.
Rating: 
Summary: Confusing Format, but excellent art-creation ideas.
Review: This book, at first glance, seems to be an excellent reference for Illustrator 10. With all the full color example illustrations and sidebar info, one would think this is the bible for Illustrator. However, when I started to dig in to this book with my eyeballs, it quickly became a hard-read. More labeled illustrations showing the steps in the text please! The portions for beginners cover the basics very well. But some of Illustator's tools are completely ignored (the align pallette is one). I think this book would be much better if it had a more "step by step" format tied in with illustrations showing the steps, as many graphic design app books are. As most designers are very visually oriented, the book would be enormously improved by adopting this format. Some of the examples that are shown in the book, are incomplete, and leave me asking: "Why did they leave that part out?" I really enjoyed the ideas and examples that were included from other artists and designers. This is great fuel for creativity. I only wish the methods were more specific and complete. Other than dogging the book for it's weak orginization, It's fine. I grant it three stars.
Rating: 
Summary: Needs more details
Review: This is a pretty book, hence the additional star. Some great artwork. Too bad I can't figure out how to make it myself.
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