Design Basics Index

Design Basics Index @ Amazon.com

If you are beginning to begin web design and looking for the right software, you may want to take a few things in consideration. Whenever you are settling to design a web site, you want to do it right the primary time. If you don’t plan it right you could be facing a big headache down the road.

This starts with choosing the right software in the beginning if you are doing it yourself. When choosing your software it is like attempting to choose a new car or even a new pair of shoes. You want to make sure when you commence to use it that you are comfortable with the interface and recognise where all your choices are.

Whenever, you get started to determine to make your very original purchase. Here are a good deal of guidelines to go by to make sure that your buy goes very smoothly.

Guidelines for choosing your software:

Make sure your software is compatible with your computer or PC hardware requirements.
Try to choose a piece of software that has a trial amount of time for 30 days or more.
Make sure to check out their aid pages for a help desk system in case you need to ask questions or have difficulties installing your software.
While on the aid pages, check to see if there are any forums where you may browse around for people posting any mutual issues or complaints. (If a lot of complaints,you may want to reconsider your choice for this software.)
If the company is located in the United States, you may want to check the Better Business Bureau for their approval rating. (A low rating could mean bad support or software as well).

In summary, you want to make the right choice and being vigilant on your decision may make your next web design project a stimulating and easy one.

Master the 3 C’s of Head-Turning Design!

Cover your fundamentals with the book that covers everything from typography and color to layout and business issues! Jim Krause, author of the standard Index series, guides you through the understanding and exercise of the three parts each successful visual design will have to have:

Components: Learn how to get the most out of the photos, illustrations, icons, typography, linework, decoration, borders and backgrounds you use within your design.

Composition: Practice combining the constituents of a design in a visually likeable way by using the principles of placement, grouping, alignment, flow and spacing to invent a pleasing, unified design.

Concept: Utilize the intangible constituents of theme, connotation and style to present and deliver your message in a way that will wow your clients each time.

Whether you’re a new, mid-level or experienced architect who is brainstorming ideas or finalizing your presentation, this handy-to-use, take-it-with-you book will instruct and inspire you to new heights of creativity.

About the AuthorJim Krause has worked as a architect in the Pacific Northwest since the 1980s. He has devised award-winning work for clients big and small, including Microsoft, McDonald’s, Washington Apples, Bell Helicopter, Paccar/Kenworth, Northern Trust and Seattle Public Schools. He lives in Bellingham, Washington.

Most helpful customer reviews

52 of 52 people found the following review helpful.
May be worthwhile for your library.
By Iconophoric
Experienced designer Jim Krause knows his stuff, and Basic Design Index is far and away the best of his ‘Index’ books for this publisher. This installment isn’t a book that will win awards– or second looks, even– for flourishing a lot of trendy styling. There are some great books out there if that’s what you are looking for, but this isn’t one of them. As the name says, it’s about basics, or a classic, professional, practical approach.

The book has many exploratory exercises or practice projects for the designer. Throughout it, Krause shows layouts produced using a basic set of photographic, header and body copy elements. He walks us through what works from these finished layouts, and what doesn’t, and why. Design books usually show you the single way a piece saw print. This book’s mock layouts suggest the multiplicity of ways components A, B, C and D could have been combined; there are, helpfully, more “don’t” examples here than “do’s”. Krause also shows subtle ways to create flow in a layout, the creation of good relationships between objects on a page, and the things that can creep into work and sabotage it by working at cross purposes to clarity and unity.

Design Basics Index could function well as a supplemental book for those in a graphic design program. I have many years of design behind me, and I like to keep the book close by as a touchstone or a pocket source of friendly little reminders. As a resource, it manages to make some design bells go off for me most times I pick it up. That’s the best endorsement I can give the book.

If you are a design master, or an avowed design martian, and feel convinced you can’t learn anything from a book of this sort, you are probably right. To each his/her own. But for me, it fills a small niche very neatly.

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful.
A very solid 5 stars
By Michael J.
A beautiful, practical book–full of passion and inspriration. I love design, and have practiced and taught it for a long time. I have several books that cover parts of what I think is important about design, but this is the first that seems to cover everything under one roof–and in a way that is both elegant and up-to-date, far-reaching and concise. The author does not make many (if any) proclamations or “rules” about design–he seems more interested in describing parameters and then encouraging the reader to find their own visual voice. (He also seems more interested in teaching design than showing off–a rare thing amount current how-to books.) But the best thing about this book, the thing that really sets it apart, is the section on concepts near the end. Experienced designers all know that Concept is King, and yet how many basic design books even talk about the subtleties of theme and concept? Very few! In this book, concept is addressed quite elegantly, quite beautifully and in plain, approachable language. I wish that I could give every new designer a copy of this book (along with Idea Index and Color Index–I keep a copy of each on my desktop).

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful.
Comprehensive, durable, enjoyable
By Joshua Salmons
I am a military journalist, deployed to Iraq. I also have the privilege of designing a unit publication. This book is a wonderful survey of design for all levels — whether it serves as a refresher for veterans, or a basis for beginners.

The pliable plastic cover is thicker than expected and, subsequently, super durable (and waterproof to boot!); and the books slim profile allows it to easily survive trips in suitcases, cargo pockets, or even the sands of Iraq!

The pages are filled with amazing tips and exercises, which can be used personally or, in my case, to teach my troops new skills.

I use it for inspiration and as a “why and wherefore” for my design decisions.

One of the best design books I own, apart from its great on-the-go transportability!

See all 38 customer reviews…