Graphic Idea Notebook

Rating:
Summary: A True Classic in Visual Solutions
Review: I've been singing the virtues of Jan White's Graphic Idea Notebook since 1980. I recommended this to all my workshop and seminar attendees, until it became out of print. Since then Jan has written many other books -- but never updated this one. Then, just last week this new edition arrived in the Design Bookshelf mail box and we all rejoiced.

What the publisher says really doesn't do the book justice. Here is page after page of doodles, sketches and ideas all penned by Jan himself. It's pure visual brainstorming that's been organized into a form that is both inspiring and entertaining. It's a joy just to thumb through the pages. Many of the ideas are classics... others are quirkish twists on visual and word plays.

Jan says:
Some of the captions identify or describe the images themselves, some are possible interpretations of an abstract concept or metaphor. All are just stabs at meaning. None claims to be the right one or the only one, because there's no such thing. Interpret them -- or twist them -- to fit your story. Their only purpose is to trigger a thought and spark an idea, which is the purpose of this book as a whole."

First there are ideas in cliches. Then ideas in mime -- gestures, body language or expressions. From there through time, then facts and figures and ending with my favorite; type and typography. He even provides you with an extensive list of printing terms in six languages.

There's no index. Who needs an index? Besides, since when could you index ideas? Yet the book is ultimately 'flippable' -- any page you land on has a good idea. His notations are delightfully informal yet engaging.

If you need ideas. If you need creative sparks. This is the place to look. The best part is how much you'll enjoy looking. And don't be surprised if you find many more creative ideas than you thought you needed.

Rating:
Summary: A True Classic in Visual Solutions
Review: I've been singing the virtues of Jan White's Graphic Idea Notebook since 1980. I recommended this to all my workshop and seminar attendees, until it became out of print. Since then Jan has written many other books -- but never updated this one. Then, just last week this new edition arrived in the Design Bookshelf mail box and we all rejoiced.

What the publisher says really doesn't do the book justice. Here is page after page of doodles, sketches and ideas all penned by Jan himself. It's pure visual brainstorming that's been organized into a form that is both inspiring and entertaining. It's a joy just to thumb through the pages. Many of the ideas are classics... others are quirkish twists on visual and word plays.

Jan says:
Some of the captions identify or describe the images themselves, some are possible interpretations of an abstract concept or metaphor. All are just stabs at meaning. None claims to be the right one or the only one, because there's no such thing. Interpret them -- or twist them -- to fit your story. Their only purpose is to trigger a thought and spark an idea, which is the purpose of this book as a whole."

First there are ideas in cliches. Then ideas in mime -- gestures, body language or expressions. From there through time, then facts and figures and ending with my favorite; type and typography. He even provides you with an extensive list of printing terms in six languages.

There's no index. Who needs an index? Besides, since when could you index ideas? Yet the book is ultimately 'flippable' -- any page you land on has a good idea. His notations are delightfully informal yet engaging.

If you need ideas. If you need creative sparks. This is the place to look. The best part is how much you'll enjoy looking. And don't be surprised if you find many more creative ideas than you thought you needed.