There's nothing worse than staring at a white, empty computer screen or a white, empty notebook page. Even though you're creative by nature, doesn't mean you can always be creative at a moment's notice. That's exactly why designers Dave Gouveia and Chris Elkerton write/drew/imagined "Creative Stuff: An Activity Book for Visual Thinkers."
It's the perfect thing to pull of the shelf the next time you're feeling stuck. In fact, it can be opened at random to find an imagination boosting exercise or game like the Paper Puzzler on page 22 which offers a duo of geometric games to get your left brain thinking while your brain is hiding in the back of your head.
If you little more structure to your brainstorming, you can peruse the table of contents to choose specific exercises from one of 10 chapters, including color, design theory, typography and fine art. And don't worry if you get stuck. You can find all the answers in the back of the book. (But as the authors warn "using it will diminish your status as a creative thinker by 67.34%)!
Creative Stuff An Activity Book for Visual Thinkers
by David Gouveia and Christopher Elkerton Est. Availability date 2/28/2012
Retail Price: $25.99 Your Price: $17.15
Pre-order your copy by March 1st, use promo code AMYFEB, and get Free U.S. standard shipping.
Amy Owen has been editing design books for nearly ten years. She is question-answerer, schedule-navigator, deadline-enforcer and manuscript-polisher.
She finds joy in the true collaboration that occurs when an author is passionate about an idea—and when she can help bring that idea to life through words.
The word "favorite" can be so subjective… so arbitrary. But this collection of designers' favorite work is the best of the best&8212;the work that is the best-looking, the highest profile, the smartest strategically. The pages of this book are stuffed full of projects that hit both of the requirements necessary for really outstanding work: passion and inspiration.
As authors Tim and Jason say in the introduction, "We really wanted to provide a wide view of the fantastic design that's happening all over the world. The work between these covers spans 35 countries, and we dug deep to find not only great projects by well-known, successful firms, but also to ferret out the creative juices flowing in undiscovered corners, away from the spotlight."
Which way should the toilet paper be dispensed from the roll? Who goes first at an intersection in a grocery store? What is the proper placement of ketchup on a plate? When is it appropriate to dress your pet in clothes that match your own?
The Book of Rules was established to outline acceptable practices and procedures in various social situations. From guidelines on burping to protocol at the urinal to "the 60-second sofa seat reservation," many unwritten rules are written here-in great detail, and with strict guidelines.
As I was editing, the content of this book spurred many lively hallway debates with co-workers. This is the book many of us have wanted to write, every time we say, "If only everyone would…"
Brett and Kate McKay are the married team behind the popular website, ArtofManliness.com. We are lucky enough to have published their first book, The Art of Manliness, and this is the follow-up to that book. (Both would make excellent gifts for any man in your life!) While the first book was dedicated to detailing skills every man should learn-from survival skills to social skills-this one is full of collected advice that will help any man improve his character and strive to reach his full potential.
Each chapter covers one of the seven virtues (Manliness, Courage, Industry, Resolution, Self-Reliance, Discipline and Honor) and is packed with the best classic advice ever written down for men. From the philosophy of Aristotle to the speeches and essays of Theodore Roosevelt, these pages contain the manly wisdom of the ages.
Retail Price $35.00 Your Price $21.22
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So we're breaking this mold a little with this book. Though this isn't a book only for designers, we published it in hopes that designers would think it funny, and would buy it for their friends. The premise is this: Zombies invade the island of Manhattan, and they're hungry. The story of this zombie apocalypse is told through the eyes of Dawn, a ten-year-old girl who's been well-schooled in the undead because of her father's love of zombie movies. As the zombies approach, Dawn and her dad realize the time has come to implement their Zombie Escape Plan, so they gather friends and flee to the Statue of Liberty. However, the plan doesn't go quite as expected…
The author's clever use of the haiku format, paired with his knowledge of zombies and of famous poets, makes for an interesting read (and a nice break from kerning and RFPs).
Green design, socially conscious design, design for the greater good: These topics are top-of-mind for a lot of designers lately. Christopher Simmons has put together an amazing collection of case studies, beautiful images and thought-provoking essays that will inspire and inform any designer who is trying to make a difference. And this month, instead of rambling on about why I think this book is great, I'll let you hear from some other people.
"Just Design is the first book to offer a thoughtful, comprehensive and inspiring look at what happens when designers use their knowledge, resources and ability to create work that is concerned with positive change over cashing a check." -Armin Vit, Co-founder, UnderConsideration
Are you familiar with Von Glitschka's previous books, Crumble Crackle Burn and Drip Dot Swirl? If so, you'll know that he is a master at creating special elements that designers can use in their own projects: textures, patterns, and now ornaments! Flourish Banner Frame is a huge collection of 555 symbols, border treatments, banners, shields, crests, ornaments and decorative frames. The ornaments are on the included DVD (along with 60 bonus ornaments), so you can pop the disk in your computer and immediately get started.
The designers in our office always ask for a copy of this book as soon as it's out-if that's not the best endorsement for a book, I don't know what is….
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