Product Description

If you can dream it, you can design it.

Whether your goal is to design your own marketing materials, launch a visually compelling blog, or just have some fun creating your own CD covers, The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Graphic Design is your one-stop reference. Presented in an intuitive, accessible format, here are the fundamental elements of design and design principles, as well as instruction on how to apply those elements and principles to a variety of projects.

•Covers art supplies, software, concept development, reproduction needs, and much more
•Sample projects include business cards, print and web ads, and graphic T-shirts
•Follows the success of other titles aimed at the aspiring artist, including the Complete Idiot’s Guide® titles on digital photography, drawing, and manga

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #264879 in Books
• Published on: 2008-10-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781592578061
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

About the Author
Marcia Layton Turner is an award-winning writer who has authored or co-authored more than 20 books in her career.

Marjorie Crum is the Program Chair and a past President of the American Institute of Graphic Arts and the owner, head designer, and creative director of her own studio.

Customer Reviews

Up-to-date graphic design process guide
Even though many books of The Complete Idiot's Guide series are how-to guides, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Graphic Design will not enable the reader to do their own graphic design upon finishing the book. This book is actually best suited to providing the background knowledge necessary to work with professionals in the field of graphic design, such as photographers, illustrators, printing companies, writers, and the graphic designers themselves. This would be an invaluable reference book for any small business owner or for an executive of a larger company that doesn't have an internal design department.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Graphic Design has a straightforward format that covers everything from basic artistic concepts to negotiating a direct mail package. Because the book covers such a large range of topics, the technical details are limited. There are two sidebar categories throughout the book that are especially interesting: Design on the Cheap, and Reverse Type (helping the reader avoid obvious amateurish design mistakes). As can be expected from a book about graphic design, there are many photographs of examples of beautiful graphic design. A good book for any small business library!

Reviewed by Megan Field

This is the perfect book for adults/high school seniors interested in graphic design
I just bought this book and look forward to buying a few more - the perfect gift for the high school grad who plans to study graphic design in college or for the adult who's interested in graphic design as a hobby. I found the book to be a terrific introduction, hitting all the necessary topics and issues related to graphic design, including computer equipment and software, the importance of type, photography, how to create grids and templates, and how to pull it all together. The book is full of good design examples. In the end, this will provide you a greater understanding of the fundamentals used in graphic design.

A "Must Have" Small Business Reference Book!
As an owner of a small business, this book is capitol! I have owned this book only 6 months have read it cover to cover. I am constantly using it as a reference guide. For 30 years I have been in the people service people service business. I am not nor ever have been a graphic designer of any fashion yet I do need to get many messages out to the public. I probably looked like a complete idiot before getting the basics through this guide. As a result of reading using this book, I have found that the media can go into logical structure that will be read more and understood better; less time is spent on doing the project and I have more time to be out in the public where I belong. The book is easy to read and understand. The ideas are can be implemented very easily and creatively. I would recommend this for any office that needs to reach client and customers with a message. It is a "must have" informative reference book. "Hands off" to the authors ... for keeping it simple!