The Non-Designer's Design Book (Paperback)

Robin Williams is a design goddess. I think the Pope is actually planning on cannonizing her. Read the negative reviews of this book (what are there? 5 of them?)-you'll see that they're written by idiots. They say it's too simple-well, they're right.... Robin Williams makes it SOOOOOO simple.

After reading this book, you will be able to design an attractive page/website/brochure/resume/advertisement/poster/billboard that communicates clearly. What more could you want?

I keep coming back to this book over and over again. I've read it over a dozen times, and have referenced it hundreds of times. I have lent it to friends, recommended it to friends, AND forced friends to buy it!!!! I don't think I could ever say enough good things about this book.

The first half of the book is dedicated to CRAP (contrast, repetition, alignment, and proximity), four principles that, once
understood, will turn your so-so document into something that people will want to read. And once you learn CRAP, you'll see
it everywhere (she calls this the Joshua Tree Principle). You'll understand why this magazine article is so visually attractive,
while that newspaper ad has no appeal at all.

The second half of the book focuses on typefaces (fonts), which so many of us love to collect. She describes the six main
categories and, more importantly, teaches us how to successfully mix font styles within a document (yes, even you can successfully
mix three or more fonts on a page, once you know how).

I've been so impressed by Robin's style of writing and the information she reveals that I've purchased two more of her books
(The Non-Designer's Web Book and Robin William's Web Design Workshop), and plan to purchase more.

I have long said that the best thing about DeskTop Publishing is that it puts it in the hands of everybody and the worst thing about DeskTop Publishing is that it puts it in the hands of everybody. Some people just donŐt have an eye for design.

The fact is, because of DeskTop Publishing, many people with no formal training in publishing or design end up having to design something. They find they must create an advertisement, a newsletter, a brochure, a business card or a poster. Panic sets in for those who have no idea where to start, or donŐt understand the fundamentals of good design.

If any of this sounds familiar to you, The Non-DesignerŐs Design Book is your Ôrescue in a book.Ő I really like the many before and after examples she shows of web pages, brochures, business cards, etc. There is an amazing example of a tri-fold brochure before and after on pages 106-107, and a newspaper ad on pages 114-115.

She explains the use of typography very nicely, and explains when to use different kinds of typefaces. (Did you know that most people make the type on their home made business cards too big?)

This book is not a big, heavy tome that goes on forever on its topics. ThatŐs a good thing. It keeps things simple and easy to understand. Each topic is covered well and in an interesting manner. Pick it up at Peachpit with your User Group discount!