Book Description
Designing a brochure or web site without an art background? Step away from the computer and read this breezy introduction to visual communications first. Written for non-designers, White Space is Not Your Enemy is a practical graphic design and layout text introducing the concepts and practices necessary for producing effective visual communications across a variety of formats, from print to Web.
This beautifully illustrated, full-color book covers the basics to help you develop your eye and produce attractive work. Topics include:
* The basics of effective design that communicates its intended message
* Pre-design planning
* 13 Layout Sins to avoid
* Basic typography
* Working with color
* Storyboarding for video, Web, and presentions
* Information graphics
* Mini Art School--all the basics in one chapter
* Outputting your work
Table of Contents
- Cover
- Half Title
- Title Page
- Copyright
- Dedication
- Contents
- acknowledgments
- preface
- chapter 1: what is design?: making visuals & type play nice in space
- » form follows function in design
- » design drives visual culture
- » graphic design communicates
- » computers democratized graphic design
- » the www changed all the rules
- » graphic design is planned
- » make pictures & words work together in space
- » know the rules. break the rules if you have a reason.
- » try this
- chapter 2: step away from the computer: for research & brainstorming
- » research
- » brainstorming
- » sketches
- » try this
- chapter 3: i need to design this today: the works-every-time layout
- » why the works-every-time layout works
- » parts of the works-every-time layout
- » final thoughts
- » try this
- » the works-every-time layout: a gallery
- chapter 4: layout sins: 13 amateur errors
- » sin no. 1: centering everything
- » sin no. 2: warped or naked photos
- » sin no. 3: too many fonts
- » sin no. 4: bulky borders & boxes
- » sin no. 5: cheated or missing margins
- » sin no. 6: stairstepping
- » sin no. 7: 4 corners & clutter
- » sin no. 8: trapped negative space
- » sin no. 9: busy backgrounds
- » sin no. 10: tacky type emphasis
- » sin no. 11: bad bullets
- » sin no. 12: widows & orphans
- » sin no. 13: justified rivers
- » try this
- chapter 5: mini art school: the elements, principles & theories of design
- » element no. 1: space
- » element no. 2: line
- » element no. 3: shape/form
- » element no. 4: size/scale
- » element no. 5: color
- » element no. 6: texture
- » element no. 7: value
- » principle no. 1: focal point/emphasis
- » principle no. 2: contrast
- » principle no. 3: balance
- » principle no. 4: movement
- » principle no. 5: rhythm/pattern
- » principle no. 6: unity
- » gestalt theory
- » try this
- chapter 6: layout: where to put visuals & type for impact
- » how do i know where to put stuff?
- » where do i put the rest of my stuff?
- » creating hierarchy
- » layouts with multiple topics on the same screen or page
- » multiple-page layouts
- » exit here
- » try this
- » layout ideas you can swipe: beyond the works-every-time layout
- chapter 7: type: what you don’t know can hurt you
- » font, typeface, font family, glyph
- » font categories
- » choosing & using fonts
- » applying additional font styling
- » typesetting lengthy copy
- » taking a page from newspaper design
- » type: not just for reading anymore
- » icing on the cake
- » try this
- » what you need to know about logo design
- chapter 8: color basics: choosing & using color
- » the power of color: impact, organization & emotion
- » color theory
- » how to choose color: working the color wheel
- » how to choose color: culture
- » how to choose color: history
- » how to choose color: nature
- » tips for designing with color
- » color technology: that’s not the color i chose. what happened?
- » working with screen color
- » specifying color for print
- » color rules!
- » try this
- chapter 9: adding visual appeal: working with photos & illustrations
- » image content
- » resolution, file format & size
- » choosing more than one photo
- » ethics of shooting & editing
- » diversity as craft excellence
- » where to get photos
- » where not to get photos
- » alternatives to photos
- » try this
- chapter 10: infographics: maximum information in minimum space
- » a terse history of infographics
- » you might need an infographic if…
- » where do infographics come from?
- » multimedia infographics
- » graphics packages
- » designing infographics
- » try this
- chapter 11: storyboarding: planning visual storytelling
- » getting started
- » framing the shot
- » perspective
- » pov
- » camera angle
- » movement
- » continuity
- » transitions
- » lighting
- » type
- » audio
- » after the storyboard
- » try this
- chapter 12: multimedia components: sometimes more is more
- » thumbnails, storyboards & site maps
- » working with images
- » video clips
- » animation
- » apps and plug-ins and widgets, oh my!
- » multimedia storytelling
- » try this
- chapter 13: designing for the web: starring on the small screen
- » what to expect when working with websites
- » how the web works (the 5-second version)
- » designing for the web
- » designing web pages & websites
- » a website isn’t always the best tool for the job
- » keep on your toes
- » try this
- chapter 14: fit to print: an overview of papers & printing
- » plan ahead for printing: choosing paper
- » types of printing & printers
- » get a printing estimate
- » prepare your document for printing
- » what to give the printer: a checklist
- » now what?
- » other things your printer can do
- » try this
- chapter 15: conclusion: now that you know enough to be dangerous, thanks for stopping by
- » everything is changing
- » there’s nothing new under the sun
- » sometimes you just need to hire a professional
- » words of encouragement
- glossary
- index