Book Graphic Design the New Basics

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· 1,952 ratings · 80 reviews

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Sep 15, 2008 Eli rated it liked it

I really like what this book is trying to do - move away from derivative artwork and into the raw components of composition. But I don't think it does it all that well. There were some really good chapters - great overview of colors, for instance. But other areas seemed less well thought out. I was also a little confused by the images they chose. Many were decent, but they were virtually all student art from the class that the author's teach. I'd be interested in a more diverse set of examples. I really like what this book is trying to do - move away from derivative artwork and into the raw components of composition. But I don't think it does it all that well. There were some really good chapters - great overview of colors, for instance. But other areas seemed less well thought out. I was also a little confused by the images they chose. Many were decent, but they were virtually all student art from the class that the author's teach. I'd be interested in a more diverse set of examples. ...more

A serviceable introduction to graphic design. Unfortunately, I think this is a discipline better learned by doing, so this is a textbook for a formal class, not geared to someone like me who just wants to design a personal website so it looks nice. Still, it breaks graphic design into chunks. And while I found most of the book ho-hum, the book on gestalt fascinated me. Albeit, since this is a sourcebook for an intro to graphic design class and not a book on perception, Lupton stopped before it g A serviceable introduction to graphic design. Unfortunately, I think this is a discipline better learned by doing, so this is a textbook for a formal class, not geared to someone like me who just wants to design a personal website so it looks nice. Still, it breaks graphic design into chunks. And while I found most of the book ho-hum, the book on gestalt fascinated me. Albeit, since this is a sourcebook for an intro to graphic design class and not a book on perception, Lupton stopped before it got REEEEALLLY good.

Then again, I'm a middle age nerd, not the target audience Lupton was shooting for. Three-stars.

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Disappointed. I was expecting an explanation of the (new) basics for graphic design. Instead, I found a rather superficial description of some principles. There are a lot of examples that can be inspiring though. And the design of the book is superb.

Oct 26, 2018 Hadley Smith rated it really liked it

This book was very useful for the class it was required for. However, if you are purchasing the book for personal use I would suggest previewing it first. The pages are well laid out though some chapters are more informative than others. Definitions and terms are limited on certain principles but the definitions that are provided are very well written and informative. This is more of a picture book as it displays concepts through art work and presentation rather than written information. If you This book was very useful for the class it was required for. However, if you are purchasing the book for personal use I would suggest previewing it first. The pages are well laid out though some chapters are more informative than others. Definitions and terms are limited on certain principles but the definitions that are provided are very well written and informative. This is more of a picture book as it displays concepts through art work and presentation rather than written information. If you have a slight idea of art or design concepts I would suggest this book for the furthering of those concepts and for visual examples of new ideas and ways to go about designing. ...more

How do designers get ideas? Many spend their time searching for clever combinations of forms, fonts, and colors inside the design annuals and monographs of other designers' work. For those looking to challenge the cut-and-paste mentality there are few resources that are both informative and inspirational. In Graphic Design: The New Basics, Ellen Lupton, best-selling author of such books as Thinking with Type and Design It Yourself, and design educator Jennifer Cole Phillips refocus design instru How do designers get ideas? Many spend their time searching for clever combinations of forms, fonts, and colors inside the design annuals and monographs of other designers' work. For those looking to challenge the cut-and-paste mentality there are few resources that are both informative and inspirational. In Graphic Design: The New Basics, Ellen Lupton, best-selling author of such books as Thinking with Type and Design It Yourself, and design educator Jennifer Cole Phillips refocus design instruction on the study of the fundamentals of form in a critical, rigorous way informed by contemporary media, theory, and software systems.

Through visual demonstrations and concise commentary, The New Basics shows students and professionals how to build interest and complexity around simple relationships between formal elements of two-dimensional design such as point, line, plane, scale, hierarchy, layers, and transparency. The New Basics explains the key concepts of visual language that inform any work of design—from a logo or letterhead to a complex web site. It takes a fresh approach to design instruction by emphasizing visually intensive, form-based thinking in a manner that is in tune with the latest developments in contemporary media, theory, art, and technology. Colorful, compact, and clearly written, The New Basics is the new indispensable resource for anyone seeking a smart, inspiring introduction to graphic design and destined to become the standard reference work in design education.

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Jun 17, 2018 Marc rated it it was amazing

This book help me really understand elements of graphic design that I could not understand when my professors taught me. The use of simple yet descriptive examples help showcase the very basic principle use and how it can be used to compose extremely elaborate design schemes. This book will be referenced many more times in my future and I am happy that I purchased this book.

I think that if someday I become a designer of any merit, I will point back to my dog-eared copy of this book as my beginning into design. I am newer to this area, but I thought the ideas were explained beautifully and with precision.

it's a very good book for starting in the field of graphic design and it's job is to familiarize you with the core concepts whether new or old.
From my point of view the examples of exercises designers do for mastering each concept was the most helpful. it's a very good book for starting in the field of graphic design and it's job is to familiarize you with the core concepts whether new or old.
From my point of view the examples of exercises designers do for mastering each concept was the most helpful. ...more

Although it comes up with nothing new, it's a very good book on Graphic Design. Enjoy reading it. Although it comes up with nothing new, it's a very good book on Graphic Design. Enjoy reading it. ...more

Curiously, this seemed deeper in the very beginning.

Bought the book in the hope that it would offer useful guidance for presentation design. At first I was rather disappointed - lots of not very interesting examples from the authors' students and not the kind of hands-on guidance and advice I was looking for (and that the title seemed to promise). On closer consideration, I did actually find a lot to like in it. Excellent chapters on colour use, use of grids, use of patterns, for example.

Quite useful as a supplement and source of inspiration and

Quite useful as a supplement and source of inspiration and ideas.

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Feb 04, 2021 Daniel rated it really liked it

I think it is a fairly technical book, but if you like the subject, it is not heavy to read, it gives you key concepts and very interesting exercises. However, I would say that it does not delve too deeply into each point, some parts are very well explained, others somewhat short, but it opens you to begin to understand how a piece is designed and why is it designed like that.

Mainly I would recommend it to someone who has never studied design and wants to enter that world, but if you already st

Mainly I would recommend it to someone who has never studied design and wants to enter that world, but if you already study design, it could be interesting to read it for your learning process

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Jun 08, 2018 Kc rated it really liked it

While doing my MBA, I really need to be creative with my PowerPoint slides. I picked up this Graphic Design book to get some new ideas and it did not disappoint. I enjoyed the presentation of student projects as it showed the unique answers that can come out of the same question.

I hope that after my MBA, I can spend some time working through the creative exercises myself.

Great source of inspiration.

A brilliant introduction to graphic design, clearly set out, and with fascinating examples of design in action from Lupton's students.
This book not only gave me the basic building blocks of what makes good design, but inspired me to implement some of these in my current work and to be more creative and experimental with the presentation of ideas and concepts.
This is the type of book you could go back to repeatedly and gain something different each time.

I found this book more of an inspiration to get involved with art and design rather than the theoretical basics. Lots of things presented in the book seemed to be pretty obvious. Unfortunately, since I was looking more into learning the theory of graphic design, I would say it was a waste of time.wd

Dec 06, 2019 Nedam Pravoime rated it did not like it

Design is important, good design is difficult, but the pretentious and convoluted language used in this book leaves the impression that the authors don't think so and are afraid their profession will be looked down upon if they don't make it sound intellectually inaccessible.

Good teachers simplify complex, make clear the obscure. This book tries so hard to do the opposite.

Did not finish.

Good teachers simplify complex, make clear the obscure. This book tries so hard to do the opposite.

Did not finish.

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Feb 07, 2018 Gary rated it it was amazing

This is the perfect mix of content and style that I've been looking for as an Intro to Graphic Design textbook. I've adopted it in my intro course. This is the first semester I've used it and it has gone really well.

Beautiful book butttttt, the language must be improved.
The verbiage used to teach design is just as that of a wine label. Can't stand it anymore.
Other than that, good organization, choice of topics, trends and examples. Beautiful book butttttt, the language must be improved.
The verbiage used to teach design is just as that of a wine label. Can't stand it anymore.
Other than that, good organization, choice of topics, trends and examples. ...more

A decent introduction to the bare-bones basics of graphic design. Good primer on the concepts of line, point, plane and such, doesn't really get too far out of the basics, though. Nice to see an entry-level graphic design book written for modern technology, though, that is nice. A decent introduction to the bare-bones basics of graphic design. Good primer on the concepts of line, point, plane and such, doesn't really get too far out of the basics, though. Nice to see an entry-level graphic design book written for modern technology, though, that is nice. ...more

Jul 06, 2020 Pascal Htt rated it did not like it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Its a book for a first year graphic design student.
And the title is very misleading as it is not a new basic, it is very old basic :p. Nothing actually caught my attention even the examples are not that interesting.

Interesting exploration to design components and principles

The explanation in this book is in no way exhaustive and only serves as a way to guide the reader to seek deeper understanding of design graphics by themselves. A good read nevertheless.

I was expecting some explanations of the new basics in this book but I found a superficial description of some principles which have been already known worldwide. The plus point is that some images the author used in this book have given a strong impression on me

Had to use this book as my textbook for a class I took this semester. Clearly examined easily and was a good read.

Mar 25, 2018 Bailey rated it really liked it

A good primer on basic design principles with really interesting student work that helps stoke the flame of generating ideas about how design can convey mood and message.