Congratulations, you have decided to open this book, even though you have no idea what it’s about, and the cover is weird and seemingly at cross-purposes and possibly even pretentious. But you opened it anyway. And you know what? That was a design decision. Yes indeed, whether you realized it or not, pretty much most decisions you make, every day, are by design…Take my word for it, you are a designer.”
Chip Kidd opens with the promise that everyone is a designer, and uses each page to show the reader why that is. Each spread explains and demonstrates a crucial introductory graphic design concept–form, size, scale, repetition and pattern, color, typography, etc. Beautifully designed, and clearly explained, Go: A Kidd’s Guide to Graphic Design ($18), is truly one of a kind.
Chip Kidd is a Designer/Writer in New York City (and Stonington, CT, and Palm Beach, FL). His book cover designs for Alfred A. Knopf, where he has worked non-stop since 1986, have helped create a revolution in the art of American book packaging. He is the recipient of the National Design Award for Communications, as well as the Use of Photography in Design award from the International Center of Photography, and countless AIGA awards. Kidd has published two novels, The Cheese Monkeys and The Learners, as well as Batman: Death by Design, and original graphic novel published by DC Comics and illustrated by Dave Taylor. He is also the author of several books about comics. A distinguished and prolific lecturer, Kidd has spoken at Princeton, Yale, Harvard, RISD and a zillion other places. His 2012 TED talk has garnered over 400,000 hits as of this writing, and is cited as one of the ‘funniest of the year.’
The 160 page hardcover will go on sale October 8, 2013.
Oh my! This is absolutely awesome! This guide to graphic design is gonna be so great for all struggling artists, especially graphic designers. Kidd is really great when it comes to challenging and inspiring ideas on graphic arts and designing. Thanks for sharing!