Basics Design
8 primary works • 17 total works
Book 1
Our new series, Basics Design, will incorporate five titles Format, Layout, Typography, Image and Colour, each representing the fundamentals of graphic design. This series will provide design students and anyone with an interest in creativity with an indispensable reference tool and a through knowledge of the building blocks of Graphic Design. Format concerns the physical dimensions of a product and the space one has to best present the graphic elements of a design. Product shape and size is a neglected but key aspect of a design's eventual impact, and within all print and digital media a creative approach to format selection can produce dramatic results. Armed with knowledge of different folding options the designer is open to additional creative possibilities that can have a pronounced effect on the finished product, whether it's an annual report, a book, a package or a magazine insert.
Book 2
Basics Design 02: Layout provides a guide to the effective arrangement of text and image elements within a design.
Good layout in both print and electronic media allows for the most effective communication of complex information to a viewer. This book's objective is to instruct in the management of form and space in order to achieve this effect.
It addresses the practical and aesthetic considerations of layout, such as where and how the content will be viewed, whether the format is a magazine, website, television graphic or even a bottle of bubble bath.
Good layout in both print and electronic media allows for the most effective communication of complex information to a viewer. This book's objective is to instruct in the management of form and space in order to achieve this effect.
It addresses the practical and aesthetic considerations of layout, such as where and how the content will be viewed, whether the format is a magazine, website, television graphic or even a bottle of bubble bath.
Book 3
This further addition to AVA's Basics Design series will follow on from Format and Layout to cover the third fundamental element of graphic design, typography. Typography is the means by which a written idea is given a visual form. The selection of this visual form can dramatically affect the readability of the written idea and a reader's feelings towards it due to the hundreds, if not thousands of typefaces available. Effective use of typography can produce a neutral effect or rouse the passions, symbolise artistic, political or philosophical movements, or even express the personality of a person or organisation. Typefaces vary from clear and distinguishable letterforms that flow easily before the eye and are suitable for extended blocks of text, to more dramatic and eye-catching typefaces that grab attention and are used in newspaper headlines and advertisements. Aimed at both students and practising designers, this book will provide an in-depth exploration of typography and a thorough examination of how it informs other aspects of creative design.
Book 4
Images are used everywhere, from cinema posters to perfume packaging, they have the power to elicit a response and impart information. Images can, quite literally, 'paint a thousand words', but understanding what they mean, when to use them and how to control them is becoming ever more crucial. The ability to alter images is made far easier through technological advances. Importantly though, what we're altering needs to be understood and controlled. "Basics Design: Image" will look at two distinct areas: what images mean and how we can create them. A primer in basic semiotics, "Basics Design: Image" will unravel the often complicated terminology associated with image 'reading'. On a practical level, this volume will introduce some of the many ways images are created; from reportage photography to illustration, computer generation to iconography and computer and print manipulation. "Basics Design: Image" aims to equip the contemporary designer with a series of tools and ideas. Inspirational examples from design agencies help support the 'basic' sections discussed and allow the reader to see the relevance of fundamental principles in practice.
Book 5
This fifth book in the "Basics Design series" - "Colour" - examines in detail two distinct areas of colour usage in design. Firstly the book explores in depth what colours mean, their inherent associations and their cultural connotations. Building on this information the book then tackles how to control colour in a design in order to achieve a desired effect or fulfil a specific brief. Starting with the basic principles of colour - how light works, colour wheels, colour combinations and harmonies - the book builds on these principles and explains how the designer, or design student, can accurately and intentionally control colour. Examples from contemporary designers that push the envelope of colour in design are used to bring the principles under discussion alive. These examples demonstrate how the many substrates and printing techniques, including coloured paper stocks and unusual and innovative ink combinations, can dramatically alter the impact of a design.
Book 6
Basics Design 06: Print & Finish provides an introduction to a variety of printing and finishing techniques.
Presentation is everything in graphic design, and professionally applied printing and finishing techniques can add value to a design by imbuing it with a range of different visual and tactile qualities. Ultimately, such processes unite the different elements of a design in a coherent manner allowing it to achieve its intended purpose.
The book is itself printed on seven different paper stocks – including coated, uncoated, coloured, woodfree and matt – allowing the reader to see the results that can be achieved with creative stock selection.
Presentation is everything in graphic design, and professionally applied printing and finishing techniques can add value to a design by imbuing it with a range of different visual and tactile qualities. Ultimately, such processes unite the different elements of a design in a coherent manner allowing it to achieve its intended purpose.
The book is itself printed on seven different paper stocks – including coated, uncoated, coloured, woodfree and matt – allowing the reader to see the results that can be achieved with creative stock selection.
Book 7
Grids 2nd Edition, the seventh book in the Basics Design series, has been updated with new content and visuals, exploring the construction and ordering of the age and screen through the use of grids. The grid features as a strong element in many areas of design, and presents both the student and practitioner alike with the opportunity to ground their work in solid foundations.Through detailed investigation of the principles behind grid design, this book informs and advances your understanding of this key design component, allowing you to devise grids with ease and precision for any situation.
Book 8
Basics Design 08: Design Thinking is an introduction to the process of generating creative ideas and concepts. It teaches the generation of ideas as a practical skill, vital to the creation of successful design. This focus on ideas and methods eschews an abstract, academic approach in favour of a useable methodology for design as a problem-solving activity. This is supported by practical work examples and case studies from leading contemporary design studios, accompanied by concise descriptions, technical expansions and diagrammatic visualizations.
Basics Design 04: Image examines the use of images as a fundamental component of graphic design.
Images are everywhere, from cinema posters to perfume packaging.They have the power to elicit a response and impart information. But understanding what they mean, when to use them and how to control them is a crucial part of the designer's role. This book introduces some of the ways in which images are created; from photography to illustration, systematic generation to iconography and computer manipulation.
It equips the designer with a series of tools and ideas that will facilitate the effective use of images in design.
Images are everywhere, from cinema posters to perfume packaging.They have the power to elicit a response and impart information. But understanding what they mean, when to use them and how to control them is a crucial part of the designer's role. This book introduces some of the ways in which images are created; from photography to illustration, systematic generation to iconography and computer manipulation.
It equips the designer with a series of tools and ideas that will facilitate the effective use of images in design.
The Basics Design series is designed to provide graphic arts students with a theoretical and practical exploration of fundamental topics, including layout, format, typography, colour and image. Packed with examples from students and professionals and fully illustrated with clear diagrams and inspiring imagery, they offer an essential exploration of the subject.
The second edition of the sixth book in the series, Print and Finish is a guide to the printing and finishing techniques employed by graphic design studios all over the world. A thorough understanding of these techniques will equip the designer with the ability to harness the creative potential of these processes and add creative elements to a design in order to increase its impact and functionality.
Showcasing seven different paper and ink stocks and finishes, the book is an invaluable reference tool. With new contributions and activities, the second edition builds on the success of the first, and is an absolute must-have for all design students.
The second edition of the sixth book in the series, Print and Finish is a guide to the printing and finishing techniques employed by graphic design studios all over the world. A thorough understanding of these techniques will equip the designer with the ability to harness the creative potential of these processes and add creative elements to a design in order to increase its impact and functionality.
Showcasing seven different paper and ink stocks and finishes, the book is an invaluable reference tool. With new contributions and activities, the second edition builds on the success of the first, and is an absolute must-have for all design students.
Basics Design 03: Typography examines a fundamental area of graphic design.
Typography is the means by which a written idea is given a visual form. Effective use of typography can produce a neutral effect or rouse the passions, symbolise artistic, political or philosophical movements, or express the personality of a person or organization. This book aims to impart a comprehensive understanding of typography, to explore its history, theory and practice.
Aimed at both students and practising designers, it provides a thorough examination of how typography informs other aspects of creative design.
Typography is the means by which a written idea is given a visual form. Effective use of typography can produce a neutral effect or rouse the passions, symbolise artistic, political or philosophical movements, or express the personality of a person or organization. This book aims to impart a comprehensive understanding of typography, to explore its history, theory and practice.
Aimed at both students and practising designers, it provides a thorough examination of how typography informs other aspects of creative design.
Basics Design 05: Colour is a guide to the use of colour in graphic design.
Colour is used to represent thoughts and emotions in a way that no other element of design can. This book explores in depth what colours mean; their inherent associations and cultural connotations. It then tackles how to control colour in a design in order to achieve a desired effect or to fulfil a specific brief.
Starting with the basic principles of colour – how light works, colour wheels, colour combinations and harmonies – the book builds on these principles and explains how the designer can accurately and intentionally control colour.
Colour is used to represent thoughts and emotions in a way that no other element of design can. This book explores in depth what colours mean; their inherent associations and cultural connotations. It then tackles how to control colour in a design in order to achieve a desired effect or to fulfil a specific brief.
Starting with the basic principles of colour – how light works, colour wheels, colour combinations and harmonies – the book builds on these principles and explains how the designer can accurately and intentionally control colour.
One of the fundamental topics within graphic design, format represents the physical point of contact with the user. Basics Design 01: Format examines established format standards and demonstrates how a creative approach to format selection and presentation space can produce dramatic results in both print and digital media. New material in this edition includes a new chapter, focusing on on-screen, online and moving image, and much of the content has been updated and restructured.
Fully updated, the third edition of Grids for Graphic Designers explores this important tool which is part of every designer's practice- whether it involves digital or print-based media. With over 200 illustrations plus six new interviews with design practitioners such as Second Story, Brody Associates and Peter Dawson, the student is introduced to the creative use of grids in contemporary practice as well as the basic principles that underlie their effective use.
Written and designed by best-selling authors Gavin Ambrose and Paul Harris, this clear and concise introduction to the use of grids in design covers all the basics and the expanded section of activities and exercises allows students to implement what they have learned.
Written and designed by best-selling authors Gavin Ambrose and Paul Harris, this clear and concise introduction to the use of grids in design covers all the basics and the expanded section of activities and exercises allows students to implement what they have learned.
Layout for graphic design concerns the arrangement of text and images on a page. How these elements are positioned, both in relation to one another, and within the overall design scheme, will affect how content is viewed and received. Whether in print or online, it is key to powerful visual communication.
Layout for Graphic Designers provides visual arts students with a theoretical and practical underpinning of this design subject. Packed with over 200 examples from key contemporary practices, and fully illustrated with clear diagrams and inspiring imagery, it offers an essential exploration of the subject.
This third edition has been updated to include 25 new images and 6 new case studies from Lundgren + Lindqvist, TwoPoints.Net, Bruce Mau Design, Non-Format, Mind Design and Plau.
Layout for Graphic Designers provides visual arts students with a theoretical and practical underpinning of this design subject. Packed with over 200 examples from key contemporary practices, and fully illustrated with clear diagrams and inspiring imagery, it offers an essential exploration of the subject.
This third edition has been updated to include 25 new images and 6 new case studies from Lundgren + Lindqvist, TwoPoints.Net, Bruce Mau Design, Non-Format, Mind Design and Plau.
How do you start a design project? How can you generate ideas and concepts in response to a design brief? How do other designers do it? This book will answer all these questions and more.
Now in its second edition, the highly popular Design Thinking for Visual Communication identifies methods and thought processes used by designers in order to start the process that eventually leads to a finished piece of work. Step-by-step guidance for each part of the process is highlighted by real-life case studies, enabling the student to see teaching in practice. This focus on ideas and methods eschews an abstract, academic approach in favour of a useable approach to design as a problem-solving activity.
The new edition now includes contributions from a broader international range of design practices and adds depth to existing case studies by looking in greater detail at some of the processes used.
Now in its second edition, the highly popular Design Thinking for Visual Communication identifies methods and thought processes used by designers in order to start the process that eventually leads to a finished piece of work. Step-by-step guidance for each part of the process is highlighted by real-life case studies, enabling the student to see teaching in practice. This focus on ideas and methods eschews an abstract, academic approach in favour of a useable approach to design as a problem-solving activity.
The new edition now includes contributions from a broader international range of design practices and adds depth to existing case studies by looking in greater detail at some of the processes used.