Product Description

Seven years is a long time in any industry, but when it comes to the worlds of design and technology (and particularly the point at which the two merge), it's an eternity! No wonder, then, that you (and about a million other readers!) have been eagerly awaiting this latest update to Robin Williams' enormously popular Non-Designer's series. In these pages, Robin defines the principles that govern type as well as the logic behind them so that you learn not just what looks best but why on your way to creating effective print and Web pages. Each short chapter in this thoroughly updated guide (which includes new coverage of typography in Adobe InDesign and Mac OS X) explores a different type secret or technique, including understanding legibility and readability; tailoring typeface to a particular project; mastering pull quotes and captions; working with spacing, punctuation marks, special characters, fonts, and justification; and more. The nonplatform- and nonsoftware-specific approach and Robin's lively, engaging style make this a must-have for any designer's bookshelf!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #401163 in Books
• Published on: 2005-10-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

From the Back Cover

Seven years is a long time in any industry, but when it comes to the worlds of design and technology (and particularly the point at which the two merge), it's an eternity! No wonder, then, that you (and about a million other readers!) have been eagerly awaiting this latest update to Robin Williams' enormously popular Non-Designer's series. In these pages, Robin defines the principles that govern type as well as the logic behind them so that you learn not just what looks best but why on your way to creating effective print and Web pages. Each short chapter in this thoroughly updated guide (which includes new coverage of typography in Adobe InDesign and Mac OS X) explores a different type secret or technique, including understanding legibility and readability; tailoring typeface to a particular project; mastering pull quotes and captions; working with spacing, punctuation marks, special characters, fonts, and justification; and more. The nonplatform- and nonsoftware-specific approach and Robin's lively, engaging style make this a must-have for any designer's bookshelf!

About the Author

Robin Williams is the author of dozens of best-selling and award-winning books, including Robin Williams Mac OS X Book, The Little Mac Book, The Non-Designer's Design Book, Robin Williams Design Workshop, and Web Design Workshop. Through her writing, teaching, and seminars, Robin has influenced a generation of computer users in the areas of design, typography, desktop publishing, the Mac, and the World Wide Web.

Customer Reviews

Excellent book for junior to mid-weight designers
Robin Williams covers just what you really need to know in this short book. No useless chatter, just important information in a what-to-do and what-not-to-do manner with just the perfect dash of sarcasm and humour to create a relaxed atmosphere for learning.

The book begins with a bit of the history and structure of fonts. Very important information for beginners. But it immediately gets into information which results in an immediate improvement in your work whether you are a typesetter or graphic designer. You would now know what makes for tacky typography and what rules you could break to create a more artistic, daring, and edgy piece of work.

Every topic is accompanied by an illustration of the wrong way and the right way to do things and a list of the fonts used in the illustration (VERY HELPFUL!)

This is definitely a must-have book for anyone in the world of print media.

A very readable and educational book
Robin Williams is an enjoyable writer. This book, as are her others, is clear and unpatronising in its approach to design. She provides visual examples of each phase in the design process as well careful explanations. Her style allows for personal interpretation rather than giving a definitive solution to all design problems. It is a bit like being back at school with a good teacher explaining, demonstrating and then letting you have a go. If you are a designer looking for ideas, a non designer needing help with designing pages or just interested in the visual world around us then you will enjoy this book.

spot-on rules, dodgy taste
the perfect book for anyone given the task of 'designing' who wouldn't call themselves a designer. also a valuable primer for anyone beginning a graphic design qualifcation (or someone finishing one where they didn't teach the basics of type).

very easy to read, doesn't waffle either, but one word of warning... maybe it's a cultural thing, but to my eyes this book screams 'american', and I do wonder if the yanks understand what tasteful design is.

so follow robin's rules, but just be wary of her choice of fonts. because i don't trust anyone who thinks 'helvetica' is out of date.