Product Description: DESIGN BASICS is a best-selling text for the two-dimensional design course. DESIGN BASICS presents art fundamentals concepts in full two- to four-page spreads, making the text practical and easy for students to refer to while they work. This modular format gives instructors the utmost flexibility in organizing the course. Visual examples from many periods, peoples, and cultures are provided for all elements and principles of design. The diversity of illustrations now includes more examples from visual culture encouraging students to see these principles in the world around them. Icons appearing throughout the book prompt students to access ArtExperience Online (a dynamic Web site integrated with the textbook), which contains studio art demonstrations and interactive exercises that help students explore the foundations of art.
Satisfied Customer Product did arrive, although a bit late but that was probably due to the fact that I had it shipped to an APO address which always takes longer. It was in the condition described and the price was reasonable. Would order from this seller again.
Design Basics This is a good book for Principals of Visual Commmunication classes or just anything design related if you're learning about it.
review of 'Design Basics', 7th ed, Lauer & Pentak The book is generally well written and profusely illustrated. It is not a coffee table book, or one you read to find out whodunit. It is meant to be a college level text that explains some of the technical details about composition in artwork. As such, it gives the reader a better appreciation when looking at artwork, and some ideas to incorporate in any compositional tasks planned. My only criticism is the additional study material described as available at the Thompson/Wadsworth Webpage noted in the inner front cover. The access code/password does not work, and when queried, the Thompson people replied once with a 'that does not conform to our usual password format, and so must be invalid'. Whe provided with a scanned image of the information on the cover, they did not deign to reply. Based on their attitude, I would (and will) request that my course instructor seek another text if at all possible.
Excellent book. Design Basics covers every topic concerned with the design foundations of art with clear explanations and great examples.
Mediocre Text, Hideous "Art" I'm a designer and read this book because it is highly praised in design circles. Firstly, it's not a book on design but on art, though there is some graphic design but not nearly enough to satisfy someone learning about design. The book is relevant to design however, and the subjects covered definitely deserve study by designers.
The text is for the most part clear and each principle is explained and illustrated fairly well. But... you'd better enjoy (or at least be able to tolerate) modern non-art. The examples used are hideous and far outweigh the genuine art of masters such as Michelangelo, Canaletto, or even Degas. This is the critical flaw in this book. All of the points could have been far better illustrated with real art, and the book would thereby be enjoyable. Instead, the reader is subjected to the pseudo profundity of scribbles, smears and conglomerations of junk, accompanied by an enunciation of the one [!] principle the so-called artist did implement. And this was probably an oversight on the part of the "artist".
Related to this is that the periodic discussions regarding representational and modern art is, in my opinion, very disingenuous. The authors are quick to raise (what they see as) objections to representational art but give the perpetrators of modern nonobjective "stuff" a free pass, never questioning its merits or validity.
I did learn something from this book, it's hard not to because it covers a lot of material, but it was an exceptionally unpleasant task and the learning didn't come from the junk "art" but from the text. There is nothing unique in this book that you won't find covered elsewhere. I recommend elsewhere.
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