Multimedia Graphics: The Best of Global Hyperdesign

Rating:
Summary: Fluff 'n' stuff, and lo-res at that
Review: How about a more precise title for this book, like "The Big Book of Screen Shots"? That pretty much sums up the height and depth of it. Although "depth" is perhaps too strong a word. This oversized tome spared no expense in printing materials (the paper is high-quality), but is woefully lacking so far as content goes. Of course, the publication date of 1996 means that the "best" in "global hyperdesign" was pretty much limited to fancy navigation menus and interactive game play published on CD-ROM. In 1996, multimedia on the web was just starting to take off, and there was none of the cool streaming media, creative Flash animation, and mature graphic design that we see today, so this book pretty much ignores the web altogether. It's amazing what a difference half a decade makes.

For instance, screen shots are enlarged to fill a 9"x13" page at the front of each chapter, but from 640x480 resolution, the images end up being blurry and aliased, and the colors weak. The other small cut photos in each section are similarly uninspiring -- more lo-res screen shots. There's nary a behind-the-scenes production photo or how-it-was-done image to be found. Of course, I might be being unfair. After subjecting myself to the first couple of chapters, I simply wiffled through the remaining pages looking for something -- anything -- that appeared eye-catching enough to stop and read. Alas, it was for naught.

For a discriminating fan of graphic design, this book is disappointing in its shallow content and weak reproduction quality, and even a bargain outlet price doesn't make it worthwhile reading. Sorry, Amazon. The next stop for my copy is on a table at my next garage sale.

Rating:
Summary: Fluff 'n' stuff, and lo-res at that
Review: How about a more precise title for this book, like "The Big Book of Screen Shots"? That pretty much sums up the height and depth of it. Although "depth" is perhaps too strong a word. This oversized tome spared no expense in printing materials (the paper is high-quality), but is woefully lacking so far as content goes. Of course, the publication date of 1996 means that the "best" in "global hyperdesign" was pretty much limited to fancy navigation menus and interactive game play published on CD-ROM. In 1996, multimedia on the web was just starting to take off, and there was none of the cool streaming media, creative Flash animation, and mature graphic design that we see today, so this book pretty much ignores the web altogether. It's amazing what a difference half a decade makes.

For instance, screen shots are enlarged to fill a 9"x13" page at the front of each chapter, but from 640x480 resolution, the images end up being blurry and aliased, and the colors weak. The other small cut photos in each section are similarly uninspiring -- more lo-res screen shots. There's nary a behind-the-scenes production photo or how-it-was-done image to be found. Of course, I might be being unfair. After subjecting myself to the first couple of chapters, I simply wiffled through the remaining pages looking for something -- anything -- that appeared eye-catching enough to stop and read. Alas, it was for naught.

For a discriminating fan of graphic design, this book is disappointing in its shallow content and weak reproduction quality, and even a bargain outlet price doesn't make it worthwhile reading. Sorry, Amazon. The next stop for my copy is on a table at my next garage sale.