Design and layout : understanding and using graphics

The function of design is to communicate - to complete and make visual the message of the text or product.

This book covers the many aspects that go into creating effective designs.

It provides all the groundwork a beginner needs, and acts as a sourcebook for the experienced designer who is looking for fresh ideas.

The design process if explored in incremental stages, taking one design element at a time, to investigate it from all aspects.

Along with hundreds of illustrations, including mini designs for show various options, the reader is encouraged to perform practical exercises to gain hands-on experience of problems and solutions.

The book is broken down into three sections: - Basic design principles: covering the ground rules of balance and harmony with the introduction of the concept of passive, symmetrical designs, and dynamic asymmetrical designs, especially in relatin to typeface and colour. - Design decisions: following and making your own brief; how to reach decisions on hierarchies of text; the balance of text and illustration; and the suitability of various types of illustration.

Examples and exercises feature throughout. - Design projects and categories: looking at various kinds of design - magazine design, publicity design, stationery and logos, home page links, packaging products and poster work; commenting on good practice, and showing how the principles have been applied.

Case studies from professional designers are shown in each section.