Visual Design: Ninety-five things you need to know. Told in Helvetica and Dingbats.

Jim Krause

Sep 2014 · New Riders

About this ebook

Visual Design speaks design, through design, to designers, presenting 95 core design principles with concise text and a touch of visual wit. Author of the bestselling Index series on design basics, Jim Krause uses a combination of Helvetica and Dingbats to teach a wide range of design topics (both conceptually and compositionally related) in a one-topic-per-spread format. Using humor, practical tips, and inspiring visual examples, Krause makes it clear how each of the 95 axioms of effective design are relevant and applicable across all forms of visuals: print, Web, and fine arts.

In this book, you’ll learn how to:
• Direct the eye through your designs using size relationships, color, visual pathways, and typographic hints
• Design effective compositions through grids, frames, outlines, dynamic spacing, symmetry, asymmetry, shading, patterns, and textures
• Fool the eye with shadows, depth, op-art, and visual subtraction
• Understand how color works and how to use it effectively
• See and use type by understanding type rules as well as when and how to break them

Visual Design is the first title in the brand new New Riders Creative Core series, which aims to provide instruction on the fundamental concepts and techniques that all designers must master to become skilled professionals.

Ratings and reviews

Currently still reading through this book but I have found, already, many fundamentally important teachings that I find are improving my work as a designer and artist. If you are in, or going into, any field that deals with visual design then I highly recommend giving this book a read. It has been well worth it for me.

AAA BOSS NETWORK

About the author

Jim Krause has worked as a designer and illustrator since 1982. His clients have included Microsoft, Boeing, Seattle Schools, Washington Apples, and dozens of others. Krause is the author of the books within the Creative Core series, and is widely known for his best-selling “Index” titles ( Color Index, Idea Index, Design Basics Index , and several others). When he’s not working, Jim Krause can usually be found riding a bicycle or a motorcycle, hiking, drinking good espresso, reading, taking pictures, or doing an art project of some kind.