Rating: 
Summary: Highly individual appreciation...
Review: Since the readers of my previous review of this book, lacked a sense of humor, I've decided to re-write it!In comparison with the Color Index, this book has a lot more text to go with the examples - nearly every spread has text on the left side and examples on the corresponding page. Even though it is meant as a brainstormer I become a bit oversaturated myself *lol*, from all this text trying to connect to the images.
Maybe the focus should have been on the text really? Maybe the images was meant to be used as supplements only..
But hey, even if the text comes first - can you honestly say that you look at the text first and that you wouldn't even notice the images until after you finished reading the text?! So if you can control your brain, I am sure that Jim will have reached his goal with this book - to help us professionals get out of the office at a reasonable hour, to cite the author himeslf.
-Help us by speeding up the process of selecting the right idea for a particular project. Because of the messy feel this book initiates, I still think that whether you will have use for this book or not, really depends on your own mental resources and which way fits you to work best.
Give it a go I would say, especially considering the prize and size - you have to try it yourself to find out whether it does it for you or not.
Rating:
Summary: Great Reinforcement!
Review: This book is excellent for beginning designers as well as for more experienced designers with a mental block. Though I personally did not like very many of the actual designs the author came up with, the key words, techniques, and brainstroming ideas are great. THis book is like your little checklist of mental notes to run through when designing. Overall a good book to have on the shelf in moments of frustration.
Rating: 
Summary: Big ideas in a small package
Review: This book saved my vacation. I was experiencing one of those blackouts you are not supposed to get when you are on a tight schedule. One of those late nights when creativity just won't come. I was about to have to call off a vacation I had planned on for months when I opened my new idea book. It jogged my mind into creating a brilliant brochure for my client in time to join my family on our vacation. All I can say is, thanks Jim.
Rating:
Summary: Pretty good book...
Review: This book was much more useful than the layout index from the same author.
Rating:
Summary: geezum!
Review: this is a NICE book. This is book for those who are at least somewhat aquainted with the principals of graphic design (and are maybe too busy to have the time to actually read technical wordy book.. this is a picture book. You see and draw your own conclusions and decide your own methodology) Jim Krause is a brilliant designer... and just seeing all the "variations on a theme" (diffrent ideas for one concept or word) he does all in one organised place; its a beautiful thing. Even on the occassions when I didnt like the design, I usually found it impressive; aside from that.. well... you cant win them all, can you?! ^_~ If you can conceptualize and execute designs, but need a little nudge or a fresh outlook now and again this is a great book; full of "now why didn't *I* think of that?" ideas.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Publication
Review: This is an excellent publication. I was surprised at the amount of content this little book had. It was great for assisting me in finding inspiration on several logo and branding ideas for my websites. I think this is a great book and would recommend it to anyone in the graphics/digital graphics field.
Rating:
Summary: A reference guide
Review: This is exactly what the title implies. This is an index of ideas you can use in graphic design. There is not a lot of explanation, but it is helpful, even for the beginner. The book has some discussion that explains things like typographic treatments, but it is only a couple of pages long. It then goes you examples of different effects and gives quick points to give you some guidance. For example, it has three samples of blurring, and on the opposite page, says things like "blur to convey motion or emotion," "use a blurred image as a backdrop," and "contrast a blurred image with a sharp image." This helps the designer generate ideas for his or her creation. I believe this would be a handy reference for all graphic designers.
Rating:
Summary: I call this a design jump start...
Review: This is the book I grab when I feel like my creative spark has died out. I never fails to give me a good idea or two...and usually that is enough to get things started.
I have a lot of design books on my shelves, but this one is used more than the others because of its user-friendly format. Try this along with Color Index. They are both great assets!
Rating: 
Summary: A Big Disappointment in a little package
Review: This isn't one of those books that inspires you to keep coming back time and again for ideas. One you've flipped through its small, poorly bound pages - you're through. Nothing here to make you want to return. The title is misleading - there is no indexing of ideas - just a compilation of fictious projects.
Rating:
Summary: structure for your subconsciousness
Review: This little book manages to explain expression using very few words (though those iterated are certainly precise and thought provoking). An excellent addition to any visual thinker's library. Like taking a brisk walk outside after plodding away into your mental reserves. It's a refreshment for the mind, and a sparkling treat for the imagination. A gem!
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