Editorial Review

At the beginning of 2005, Frank Warren launched a new blog called PostSecret as an experiment in community art, inviting strangers to mail him anonymous postcards that made art out of their innermost secrets and then posting a selection of the cards every week on his blog. Within a year, his blog was one of the five most popular in the world, and his first book, Read more

Subjects:  1. Art & Art Instruction    2. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - Private    3. Motivational & Inspirational    4. Popular Culture - General    5. Self-Help    6. Self-Help / Motivational   

Reviews (155)

Eye-opening and highly recommended!
To say that this book will reveal you a lot about the inner lives of people would be an underestimation. It goes even beyond that and allows you to connect with the others, to feel their happiness, sadness, triumph and depression. "Postsecret" gave me so many aha experiences that may compare only with the secrets which I learnt from the bestseller "scientfically guaranteed male multiple orgasms and ultimate sex". People have secrets for very good reasons and once you learn some of them you get an (unfair) advantage over the others. It is hard to predict what will be your reaction to the secrets revealed in this book but I am sure that it will leave a lasting impression in you just as every bold and highly valuable book does. "Postsecret" is one of the few books that may change your life and I highly recommend it.

Frank, You've Done Something Amazing.
My dad bought me this book because I made him go to the PostSecret Exhibit in Reading, Pa. He didn't know what it was going into and after seeing the exhibit and reading the book, he left in complete tears. This book is wonderful because it's like re-visiting the exibit over and over again. There is something very powerful about how reading other peoples secrets makes you realize how you are not alone. This is a book of humanity. So worth it.

The kind of book that reminds you what it's like to be human
I love this book.I love this project.I've been a fan of the website for awhile, and am glad many of the postcards have been published in book form.This is the type of art project that reminds you of the pain and beauty in humanity.You're also glad that there are other people out there in the world going through some of the same things that you are.Amazing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art & Art Instruction    2. Art Media (Specific Aspects)    3. Art therapy    4. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - Private    5. General    6. Motivational & Inspirational    7. Personal Guidance    8. Popular Culture - General    9. Postcards    10. Secrets    11. Self-Help    12. Self-Help / Motivational   

Reviews (5)

An incredible collection and celebration of timeless interior design concepts
In The Pink: Dorothy Draper, America's Most Fabulous Decorator by Carleton Varney is an incredible collection and celebration of timeless interior design concepts by the renowned interior designer and decorator Dorothy Draper, a woman far ahead of her age. Deftly compiling an profusely illustrated compendium of Draper's remarkable work, In The Pink holds the reader's total attention from first page to last with an informative text enhanced with photography showcasing memorable designs created by the sharp eye and even sharper imagination of Draper throughout her world acclaimed career. A "must" addition to professional and academic library Interior Design reference collections, In The Pink is to be given high praise and recommendation for non-specialist general readers with an interest in interior design.
This Book Is A "Must Have"
For all design professionals, modernism addicts, and even the layperson.The book is filled with wonderful images culled from a lifetime of decorating.Dorothy Draper's style was always fancyful, playful and above all else comfortable~she was not a devotee of the Eames pared down sterile and functional school of design.If you are done with Danish, numb over Knoll, and way past Panton~~~check out "In the Pink:Dorothy Draper:America's Most Fabulous Decorator"she will have you going for Baroque!

Breathtaking Book
What a beautiful book. A look at the history of a spectacular designer. Art Deco Beauty. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Artists, Architects, Photographers    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Design - Textile & Costume    6. Interior design    7. USA   

Editorial Review

Scott McCloud's Read more

Reviews (8)

Amazing

Great book for establishing your comics
Scott Mccloud's Making Comics resembles a constitution for those want to establish their comics either as a hobby or as a carrier. It goes through so many details regarding creating your panels, establishing scenes, storytelling, characters designs and feelings, drawing styles, and the list goes on. Simply, the book gives you a guideline for establishing a living world in papers. What makes "Making Comics" unique is that it can teach you how to be a comic artist even if you're not good enough in drawing. The book illustrates the fundamentals of drawings comics and let you be creative for starting your own comic book. All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book, and it will help me a lot for my comics' drawings.

Disagree with review below--this is a remarkable book!
The previous reviewer accuses Scott McCloud of lacking the authority to write a guide to making comics. But McCloud's book is based on clear demonstration, not on authority.
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Subjects:  1. Cartooning    2. Comic books, strips, etc.    3. Comics & Cartoons    4. Comics & Graphic Novels    5. Drawing Of Specific Subjects    6. Educational    7. Fiction - General    8. Fine Arts    9. History & Criticism    10. History: World    11. Humor    12. Technique    13. Techniques - Cartooning    14. Comic book & cartoon art    15. Comics & Graphic Novels / Comics & Cartoons   

Reviews (7)

Outstanding
Outstanding 3-volume set that will soon become a cornerstone of any creative library. A great source to find inspiration and the handsome set adds a touch of class to your bookshelf. You can't beat Amazon's price, either. Highly recommended.

Great Book + Case is Not a Problem
Agreed, the book is extremely comprehensive.The case, though not particularly attractive, should pop open by pulling on the corner.Unless I was lucky...

incredible review
This is a must have for anyone interested in design.The reader is treated to the very best in design, design that works, looks great and is innovative.Starting in the 1600's, the work takes the reader on a journey of design. It limits itself to 999 objects and not one is a miss. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - General    4. Design    5. Design - Decorative    6. Design - Furniture    7. Design - General    8. 20th century    9. 21st century    10. Art / Design / General    11. Industrial / Commercial Art & Design    12. c 1800 to c 1900   

Reviews (31)

Some Instructions Inadequate
I purchased this book as my figure has changed and I needed to re-do my basic slopers.The pattern design books I currently have did not cover trousers so I was delighted to finda new book that was apparently so comprehensive.
Finally !Best value for my dollar
I received this book yesterday and read the first 100 pages.I've sewn all my life and consider myself an advanced seamstress.I've sewn and made my own patterns for childrens' heirloom, business suits, and now enjoy making (jazz) dance costumes.I'm the one in line at the fabric store buying ten patterns, just to combine different details and features in different sizes, especially if sewing for a group.I probably own hundreds of patterns and almost that many books.For me, this book will pay for itself many times over.It isn't a sewing "how to" book and it wouldn't be the first book for a beginner.The reader should be familiar or use other reference books for actual garment construction techniques.I've bought other, less expensive sewing books to learn pattern manipulation and fitting techniques.I put off the purchase of this book, being put off by its price.But, finally!This book is so inspiring and liberating. In just the first 100 pages, I've gotten through the basic patternmaking and dart manipulation.I think I may never have to buy another pattern again !This is definitely a must have for the serious sewing enthusiast.

Designs by Sharon
This book was used during a 12 week class I attended for Patternmaking.It is very thorough and is an excellent reference for just about any type of pattern one could desire to make.I learned a great deal using the book as a reference guide while I studied the various fundamental components to patternmaking.However, it can be a little intimidating if used as a self-study text.This issue could have been solved if there had been an answer section for the various exercises that accompanied each chapter.Many of the students in our class felt it was a text designed for those enrolled in a formal college level class, i.e., it oftened assumed reader knowledge beyond that expected of a lay person. (Everyone in our class was required to be at the advanced level of sewing experience.)Some of the exercises were made more difficult because the technique to design a sample pattern was in a later chapter, not having been covered in the one just studied.Overall,though,it is a good reference and certainly belongs in the personal library of any serious home sewer. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Decorating - General    3. Design - General    4. Dressmaking    5. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    6. Fashion    7. General    8. Pattern design    9. Art / Design / General    10. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles    11. Industrial / Commercial Art & Design   

Reviews (11)

Amazing
This book provides answers to unanswered questions and goes into subjects not covered in Fashion School. ;) I would sugest this book to any on in the fashion industry or still in school.It will help you grasp a better understanding of the when, why, and how things are done.

This is a great book for someone starting out
This book is ideal for someone coming into the industry with little to no knowledge. It provides a lot of tips to help one avoid re-inventing the wheel.

The Fashion Designer Survival Guide
my friend, for whose birthday i purchased this book, is delighted and learning so much needed info. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Career/Job    4. Careers - General    5. Careers - Other Specific Fields    6. Entrepreneurship    7. Fashion    8. Fashion designers    9. Fashion merchandising    10. Management    11. New Business Enterprises    12. Business & Economics / General    13. Fashion & beauty industries    14. Fashion design    15. Small businesses & self-employed   

Reviews (3)

The Get Fuzzy crew at its best
I just bought this book a couple of days ago and have already read most of it. It is another great collection of hilarious cartoons featuring Bucky, Satchel and Rob and their efforts to maintain a happy household. Of course Bucky does his best to keep that from happening. I'm glad it was finally released. It was well worth the wait.

The Best Yet
This is by far the best Get Fuzzy collection to date. It has some of the newer strips, some I've seen in the papers and more than a few that I haven't. Perhaps the funniest is when Bucky takes Smacky to get appraised at one of those traveling antique tv shows. I laughed until I cried. A definite classic Bucky moment. This is Conley at his best.

Renevatio
Sweetness is upon us my friends. life long get fuzzy fan and i tell ya, thar aint no comic out there is better than get fuzzy. es[ecially the new stuff. the new stuff isHILARIOUS.
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Subjects:  1. Comics & Cartoons    2. Comics & Graphic Novels    3. General    4. Graphic Satire And Humor    5. Humor    6. Comics & Graphic Novels / Comics & Cartoons   

Reviews (12)

A good book to learn on
I've had to learn InDesign for a couple freelance projects, and I felt this book was concise and a wonderful reference guide.The fact it is not just drowning in text on each page (ahem...Peachpit Press) made it easier to skim and find what you need in a short amount of time.
Very useful and user friendly
The Classroom in a Book for Adobe InDesign.cs2 was well organized and easy to use.
New full color edition is a great way to learn
I have been learning Adobe's applications via their Classroom In A Book series. I find there is just nothing better out there.After all it is the official training program from Adobe written by Adobe experts - what else is there to say! The book itself is made of quality paper and is beautifully layed out. They give text and graphics ample space on each page, nothing is cramped and everything is arranged in a logical order. The instructions are precise and given in small enough steps with lots of graphics and pictures along the way so you won't get lost. In fact, each chapter is easy and interesting to follow and it helps that the projects are beautifully designed layouts. You'll create magazine pages, newsletter pages, a restaurant menu, a CD insert etc. that you look forward to finish and that will leave you inspired. Some chapters encourage you to also "Explore On Your Own" and each chapter features a review and answers section to test your aquired knowledge. Maybe you have to revisit some of the earlier chapters because you may have forgotten some details once you've been plugging away for a while, but that simply speaks for the volume you will have to absorb since InDesign is afterall a complex application. Having said that, everybody should feel very confident to use and further explore InDesign upon completion of the book. It includes a CD with 15 lessons and Quicktime tutorial movies.
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Subjects:  1. Adobe InDesign    2. Adobe InDesign (Computer software)    3. Computer Books: Desktop Publish    4. Computers    5. Computers - Desktop Publishing    6. Desktop Publishing    7. Desktop Publishing - General    8. Interactive & Multimedia    9. Typography    10. Computers / Desktop Publishing / General    11. Desktop publishing software   

Editorial Review

From its first issue in 1939, Read more

Reviews (4)

A Compilation of Glamour Do's and Don'ts
This book is filled with current information about dressing and style.It's useful because it shows the reader, using many photos, the do's and don'ts of dressing well--and not so well.It's hard to believe some of those don'ts!
Will be helpful for many
Check it out.It is packed with a good advice

I am keeping it for myself!!!!
My girlfriend loves fashion magazines and clothing.For her birthday I decided to get her this book.I got it in the mail today and cannot put the book down.The book is basically the title.Every girl should have this as their fashion bible.. It shows you what is in style, and how to wear clothing to flatter your specific body type..I am ordering one for myself.It is a wonderful gift for any girl that loves clothes!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Beauty & Grooming - General    2. Fashion    3. Fashion & Grooming    4. Health & Fitness    5. Health/Fitness    6. Personal & Practical Guides    7. Fashion design    8. Health & Fitness / Beauty & Grooming    9. Personal appearance & beauty care   

Reviews (5)

Wonderful !!!
Not only the content is insightful, but the design of this book is just wonderful. It is a good source of international drawing's world and a good coffee table book. Get it now!

poor quality images
I am disappointed with the quality of the images.They are the quality of an ink jet printer set at draft quality.Most of the images are so faded it is difficult to see at all.I have returned this book, which is something I do once every 1000 books I order, and it is the first art book I have ever returned in my life.

obsessed drafter
Beautifully bound and a pleasure to hold...what a book is all about vs the digital stuff.
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Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Fine Arts (Specific Aspects)    4. History - General    5. History Of Fine Arts    6. Techniques - Drawing    7. Art / Drawing    8. Drawing & drawings    9. History of art & design styles: from c 1900 -   

Reviews (9)

Hyper-glorified and shallow
If you're tempted to buy this hugely expensive book (for an over-sized, unwieldy paperback printed on medium-quality paper), think again.
excellent primer on design
We used this as a textbook in an "interdisciplinary approach" course at a photography school.The organization of the book and the illustrations are excellent.Much of the information seemed familiar to us all, but we found the book to be an excellent reminder and good focus for discussion.It helped us with our critiquing of each others' work in a variety of media (sculpture, drawing, painting, collage, photography and writing).

An absolute classic for anyone working in the visual arts.
Back in college, two decades ago, one of my art professors required this book for every single one of his classes. He even offered to personally repay students who could not afford to keep their copy, if they promised not to sell it back to the bookstore. He told us that the best thing we could do for our careers in art was to keep this book. He was right. I've had my 2nd edition copy for twenty years, and no other book I've seen discusses visual theory so simply, logically and completely. The text is clear and straightforward and the examples are perfect, but it is Lauer's ability to organize a very complex subject into very specific, clearly-understood categories that makes this book remarkable. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Design    4. Design - General    5. Architectural structure & design    6. Art / General   

Reviews (1)

The best coffee table book ever !!!
Recently I have found myself drawn to graphics of all kinds. Being a huge fan of Tashen books and seeing this book on their website I decided to order it. Now at $200.00 this was quite a big purchase but this book is incredible. The color plates are beautiful and the information about the designs is very complete as well as interesting. This is a huge book! I think it must weigh in the neighborhood of 10 lbs. It is not a book to take to the beach for alittle read. However, it is a book to get inspired by and it will inspire you no matter what your art medium is. This is a book that I will tresure for years to come and I am sure if you decide to invest in this book you will not be disapointed. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Decoration & Ornament    4. Design - Decorative    5. General    6. Reference    7. Art styles not limited by date   

Reviews (41)

Excellent photography / digital camera instruction
I have purchased this book twice, it is an introduction to digital photography, particularly for the fixed lense Nikon SLR cameras (such as the 8700) and SLR digital cameras.If you have a simple point and click camera you will get some benefit from the book but not as much.
Great for beginner
Bought this book to go along with Digital Rebel XT purchase. The book has not disappointed. Explains everything there is from aperture, exposure, shutter speed etc in great detail yet easy to understand. Recommend it to beginner, intermediate & expert alike

Latest edition excellent
Digital photography is a fast-moving target, and this book manages to keep abreast of the latest changes with valuable information that's vital for anyone doing digital photography.It explains all the key concepts clearly and completely, with lots of advice on getting the best photographs with any type of digital camera.I would have liked additional coverage of digital SLRs, but I have found that elsewhere, and still prefer Complete Digital Photography's treatment of the broader topics. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computer Graphics - General    3. Computer Graphics - Image Processing    4. Computers    5. Digital cameras    6. Digital techniques    7. Graphic Arts - General    8. Handbooks, manuals, etc    9. Image processing    10. Photography    11. Techniques - Digital    12. Techniques - General    13. Art / Graphic Arts    14. Special kinds of photography   

Reviews (27)

Great Reference Resource
Since the design of every day things impacts the quality of our lives, most people have a strong interest in things that are designed well, but just how do you arrive at a well designed thing?This book offers an extensive typology of design principles gathered from a wide variety of fields (ergonomics, human factors, psychology etc.) that have relevance for any design discipline, from web usability to product design for manufactured goods.If you do not have a design background, but work with designers, you may find some of these insights very useful for collaboration on design decision making scenarios.Some of the principles, such as the 80/20 rule or the pareto principle were pretty obvious but others were less so, making the book an interesting exploration of some old and new concepts from a cross-disciplinary perspective.After reading through these 100 design principles, you will arrive at a fairly good understanding of the factors that influence our preference towards one design over another.Of course, the all important "context" is missing from these generalizations, however, you can easily read through them and draw your own conclusions on how they relate to your particular design problem.
Applies to more than graphic design
This book is a tremendous book. While I think the target audince of this book are graphic artists it is useful for any industry or occupation. As an IT professional, the techniques offered in this book helped me design better interfaces for software systems.
Efficient, Concise, Well written
Every designer should own this book. It codifies an abundance of principles about usable design into a very useful reference. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Design    4. Design - General    5. Dictionaries    6. Graphic Arts - General    7. Industrial / Commercial Art & Design    8. Reference works   

Subjects:  1. Art & Art Instruction    2. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - Private    3. Motivational & Inspirational    4. Popular Culture - General    5. Self-Help    6. Self-Help / Motivational   

Reviews (16)

Typography
Please if anyone ever needs a type book, this one is perfect. It is a helpful wonderful book.

Well written, informative book
Worth reading if you need to learn more about type, layout grids, and popular fonts of the past decade.

Simple, Clear, and Logical
This book is possibly the best design education text I've seen. Everything is kept simple, and clear. Ellen Lupton's categorizing of typeface styles, for example, is logical and all inclusive, yet still a simple breakdown of the vast variety of typefaces. She is easier to understand than Robert Bringhurst in "The Elements of Typographic Style," something crucial to any budding designer. This book will serve you well. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Graphic Arts - General    4. Graphic design (Typography)    5. Type and type-founding    6. Typography    7. Architecture / Design & Drafting    8. Graphic design    9. Non-Classifiable    10. Typographie   

Reviews (1)

Incredibly lavish!
Massive, beautiful and gorgeous.What a treat to finally have a such an incredibly awe-inspiring piece as this to finally compile all of the wonderful works of art that go into what is, was and remains Tennant/Lowe.I have honestly wanted something like this to be produced for decades now, and when I first saw it in the UK, I ordered it there and waited for it for weeks.Now you can have it here quickly and painlessly.Definitely pick up a copy today...if you are even the most casual of fan (and somehow, I sense that if you stumbled across this, you are, as I, far more than that), you are very much deserving of this.Get it and cherish/treasure it for years. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative    2. Genres & Styles - Pop Vocal    3. History & Criticism - General    4. Music    5. Music History And Criticism +    6. Music/Songbooks    7. Graphic design    8. Music / Popular    9. Photographs: collections    10. Rock & pop   

Reviews (5)

Student Reference
This book was very useful in my color theory.The Professor recommended it and I bought.I used it for several projects and will use it in the industrial.

Good indices!
I bought this set for a student who is a beginner in design. They guide you through your design in the most meaningful way. They even come in a very cute case!
It's nice to have the set
This combination is great. You get the Index, the Color and the Layout all in one.In particular, it has evolutions.It takes a layout, and you watch the progression of it and the different layouts for the same information with differing media. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Graphic Arts - General    4. Graphic design    5. Reference works   

Subjects:  1. Art & Art Instruction    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Design - General    4. Fashion    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Art / Design / General