Product Description

This incredible book houses a collection of 100 swipeable layouts that readers can use to create their own pieces--everything from newsletters and ads to letterheads and brochures. An invaluable introductory section reviews the core techniques for creating layouts. Next, designers are introduced to the layouts themselves. Each layout includes a full background on the piece, the reasoning behind each solution and details on how special constraints were handled. In many instances, several solutions are given to the same problem, illustrating that there is always more than one way to solve a layout and design problem. This book also includes: * Quick access to dozens of layout solutions including specs * Special techniques that can be used to enhance any layout * Insights into the factors that helped to make each layout an effective piece * Tips and advice for dealing with common problems such as working within client restrictions and handling ads with lots of visuals

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #234966 in Books
• Published on: 2001-11
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 144 pages

From School Library Journal
YA-With its extensive use of color and its annotated, full-page designs, this is a practical, dynamic, easy-to-use guide for anyone from fledgling desktop publisher to professional graphic artist. Davis presents excellent models for newsletters, stationery, brochures, and advertisements-his own creations as well as actual examples from around the world-with specifications so that they may be easily replicated. Each of these hands-on sections is then organized by three levels of expertise. For those with limited experience, there is a lengthy introduction that briefly reviews aesthetics and the basics of page design. Definitions of jargon, instructions on laying out a page, selecting typefaces and pictures, and evaluating the finished product are included. In addition, each example contains a client brief and the author's solution to the client's needs. If your budget permits the choice of only one book on the subject, this should be it.
Gretchen Portland, W.T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author
Graham Davis is the former art director of Time Life International. He now runs his own studio and lives in the United Kingdom.

Customer Reviews

good book for the beginner
I found this book to be helpful, and give you the insight of how the projects in the book have been created. This book is very helpful for the beginner graphic designer.

Good for those with experience
I read "Quick Solutions" largely on the basis of the "official" reviewer who said that if you get just one book on graphic design/layout, this should be it.

I can see how that might be true for the professional or experienced designer. However, as one not experienced, I was disappointed. Let me give the pros and cons of this book, as I see them.

PROS: 1.) Large format gives plenty of room to view "finished products." 2.) Consistent format lets you follow the "analysis" of each product/project. 3.) Seeing the actual projects gives an idea of what the "Solutions" look like. 4.) Contains both black-and-white and color samples. 5.) Covers three levels of difficulty for each type of project: "basic," "intermediete," and "advanced." 6.) Covers different types of projects (newsletters, borchures, stationery, ads). 7.) Great for ideas and ways of solving different client problems. 8.) Stresses the need to keep the client's needs/tastes in mind.

CON(S): It assumes you know more than you do. Examples: 1.) It mentions "balance" on page 43 (discussing "Plants for Free"), but does not explain what "balance" is or how it is achieved or why it is important. 2.) It tells you that working with a "grid" is helpful, and that more grid sections are better than fewer, but does not tell you why a grid is important, how to develop one, where to place sections, or why. 3.) It tells you that the four important elements of design are headlines, text, pictures, and "of primary importance, space," but does not tell you how to develop, use, arrange, or understand each. 4.) Examples of several layouts are shown on pages 14 & 15, with no discussion, just short (very short) descriptions. 5.) Starting on page 29, alternative arrangements of elements on a page (layouts) are given, with no explanation for why they are acceptable or not, what principles determine the alternatives, why you might want to use one rather than another, etc.

The author says that layout is neither an art nor a science. Okay, but something must help the author make choices. Yet too few of those "somethings" are explained to the reader.

As I said, if you have background in layout and design, this book may be a good spark to your imagination. If, however, you are a neophyte (as I am), you will want more basics -- if for nothing more than to place the wonderful samples in this book in a framework of principles.

Nonetheless, if you can pick up a used copy here for practically nothing, you may be glad later (when you have more principles under your belt) that you did.

Organised and easy to follow
The book caters to a fairly broad audience, i.e. from those who might be quite new to the desktop publishing field right up to those who have been in the profession for years and are simply after a few fresh ideas. The book has been divided up into easy-to-walk-though chapters, each one discussing a different form of popularly used printed material, giving examples of very basic layout concepts to the more complex.

I found the book quite useful, but not necessarily new and exciting in its approach. Nevertheless it's a good one to have in your library.