Reviews (2)

Wonderful Wonderful Reference
Fantastic book!One that is extremely useful and one that I take everywhere with me.Perfect for new designers acquiring fabric sense.I know several firms where this book is a staple reference guide.A+++++

Good Text, But No Color
I was a little disappointed that all of the pictures were blackand white.In order for this book to be useful to me, I would have topay [approx. $20.] plus shipping and handling to get the actual swatches used in thisreference book. Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Decorating - General    3. Design - General    4. Technical & Manufacturing Trades    5. Technology & Industrial Arts    6. Terminology    7. Textile Fabrics    8. Textile fibers    9. Art / Design / General    10. Fashion design    11. Textile arts   

Editorial Review

For more than 30 years, Dale Chihuly's work, principally in glass (but occasionally including such unconventional media as neon and ice), has challenged traditional distinctions between craft and art. Chihuly's oeuvre is notable for its vibrancy of color, the boldness of its shape and execution, and, in recent years, its studied mimicry of natural forms, from cacti to seaweed and jellyfish. The scale of these blown-glass works ranges from pieces suitable for a coffee table to vast hanging chandeliers that drape from ceiling to floor or shoot up like Christmas trees from below. At times, Chihuly's work is merely decorative, a collection of brightly colored, softened glass forms that resemble melted Christmas tree ornaments, sea anemones, squash, wriggling eels, and other organic shapes. The dizzying abundance of work created by Chihuly himself and his students-cum-assistants at his Pilchuk Glass School, and the enormously successful marketing of this art (Pilchuk, located near Seattle, is open to visitors), has lead some viewers to an overfamiliarity with the work. But art critics Donald Kuspit and Jack Cowart argue for its originality and importance in their introductory essays. (Perhaps overly so: Cowart compares the pieces to Matisse, Turner, and Walt Disney's Read more

Reviews (5)

Magnificent Chihuly Art
This book is beautiful!I visited the botanical gardens in St. Louis and saw some of Dale Chihuly's work close up. I've never seen anything like it. What an incredible art form this is. This book brings back the same feelings I had while looking at his work in person. The pictures in this book are breathtaking. The great thing about this particular book is that it has pictures of his work located all over the world. Many of the pictures have a location listed and some of them have Mr. Chihuly's comments on the piece and how he felt about creating it. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a general book on his work. I have it on my coffee table in the family room and everyone who opens it up, can't put it down. Every turn of the page brings a "WOW" or "Incredible". Truly a `must have' book for your collection.

Hypnotizing and beautiful
I was introduced to Chihuly through a special on my local PBS station many years ago.I couldn't remember his name, but I always remembered that he was the brilliant man with the unorthodox style.His vision and his artistic talents are immense.This book is absolutely mesmerizing and gorgeous with page after page of color photos.From the "Chihuly Over Venice" project to his designs for the set of the opera "Pell�as et M�lisande" for the Seattle Opera.This book truly is a feast for the eyes and the soul.Chihuly is a master of glass and this book proves it.

Truly a worthwhile book
Among the thousands of art books on the market, Kuspit's exhaustive look at Dale Chihuly's career in glass is a bargain for the Amazon price. Filledwith gorgeous color photos of Chihuly's unique work, and intelligentlywritten, this book will grace any art lover's shelf. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1941-    2. 20th century    3. Art    4. Art & Art Instruction    5. Chihuly, Dale,    6. Crafts & Hobbies    7. Criticism and interpretation    8. Essays    9. Glass & Glassware    10. Glass Arts And Crafts    11. Glass art    12. History    13. Individual Artist    14. Sculpture    15. United States    16. Art / Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions    17. Ceramic arts, pottery, glass    18. Chihuly, Dale    19. History of art & design styles: from c 1900 -    20. Individual artists    21. USA   

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Computers - General Information    4. Design - Product    5. General    6. Human-computer interaction    7. Social Aspects - Human-Computer Interaction    8. Art / Design / Product    9. Industrial / Commercial Art & Design    10. Technical design   

Reviews (1)

Exelent Texbook & Reference Source
Great book to follow along during structures courses, particularly indeterminate structures. Read more

Subjects:  1. Design - General    2. Engineering - Civil    3. Science/Mathematics    4. Structural Analysis (Engineering)    5. Technology    6. Technology & Industrial Arts    7. Structural engineering    8. Technology / Engineering / Civil   

Reviews (32)

One of the greatest books for logo design
Another book that is definately a "must buy", especially if you're a logo designer.Funny thing is, the publisher has released another book that is especially focused on logos named "logo index" but i find this "idea index" to be a hundred times more useful when it comes to logos.
Perfectly simple for beginners
I am an architecture student who is always looking for new ideas on how to present my work graphically.I purchased 'Idea Index' after having read all of the great reviews about the book.I believe it is a perfect reference for beginners who have little experience in the field of graphic design, and also for those who have a penchant for Microsoft clip art.
I call this a design jump start...
This is the book I grab when I feel like my creative spark has died out. I never fails to give me a good idea or two...and usually that is enough to get things started.
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Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Design - Book    4. Graphic design (Typography)    5. Handbooks, manuals, etc    6. Typography    7. Graphic design   

Subjects:  1. Comics & Cartoons    2. Comics & Graphic Novels    3. Graphic Satire And Humor    4. Humor    5. Comics & Graphic Novels / Comics & Cartoons   

Reviews (2)

Ed Schmid knows his way around a blowpipe
This is flat-out the BEST book currently available on learning how to blow glass. Ed has been working with and teaching others how to work with hot glass for years. Buy it. Read it. Do it!

Best place to begin
This was my first book, and I have recommended it to students since. Hand-written (not typed) and very personal, he lends a good sense of humor and personality to an otherwise intimidating medium. It gives you the feeling that you're hanging out listening to a good friend describing a casual hobby instead of an overly serious instructor. It's just fun to read, and gets you really excited about digging in to some good old molten glass. The second book is just as good as the first. I'd give them 10 stars if that was an option. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Glass & Glassware    4. Hobbies/Crafts   

Reviews (6)

An Essential Source for Robust 3D Graphics Engine Design
I have not yet been able to purchase the second edition of this book.However, since it is a refinement of the first edition, I feel that I am somewhat competent to review this later version of Lengyel's text on this knowledge of the fundamental chapters which are included in both editions.
Even better than the first edition
I gave the first edition of this book a 5 star rating, so considering that the second edition provides updates to the original as well as four new chapters, it's no surprise that the second edition earns a 5 star rating as well.
This book is fantastic
This book is great. Its material is well explained, the topics covered are complete (for the most part), and the examples make sense. It is a fantastic reference that should be on the shelf of any professional game programmer or aspiring game programmer. However, this book isn't a hand holding guide to making "cool" games, as some reviewers expected it to be. There is no single book for that. There are so many topics to cover, it would be impossible to put them all into one text. Please don't be fooled by reviews from non-professionals, as this book is a must have. For a list of beginner books to give yourself an introduction to game programming, feel free to send me an email. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Operating Systems    2. Computer Graphics - Game Programming    3. Computer Graphics - General    4. Computer games    5. Computer graphics    6. Computers    7. Computers - Languages / Programming    8. General    9. Mathematics    10. Programming    11. Programming - General    12. Three-dimensional display syst    13. Three-dimensional display systems    14. Video & Electronic - General    15. Art / Graphic Arts    16. Computer Programming    17. Image processing: graphics (static images)    18. Mathematical theory of computation    19. Mathematics for scientists & engineers   

Reviews (32)

Lives up to the title
This book is such a great collection of tiki decor and knick-knacks that you don't even need to read the captions to enjoy it.My wife and I want to turn one of our rooms into a tiki bar.We thought we would need to do a lot of looking to get a good idea of what real post-war tiki bars were like.Well, look no further.This book has it all.If you type in "tiki" in an Internet search engine, it wouldn't come up with this many ideas.This book reviews everything from the blue prints to the big tiki restaurants down to the coasters underneath the amazing assortment of tiki mugs. The title could not have been more appropriate.This is the definitive book of tiki.Have great fun looking through the book.Depending on your age, it might make you nostalgic for those lost days.

Jimbo
If you have the slightest interest in the subject, you have to have this book. it is an amazing piece of work, and a visual feast. It is one book I pick up again and again, and always notice something new. Buy it.

Sven Kirsten defines an era!
Truly a wonder of nature this Book of Tiki.Chances are, you might so your parents or grandparents in the pictures, from the days before you considered them old.
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Subjects:  1. Art    2. Pop Arts / Pop Culture    3. Popular Culture - General    4. Cultural studies    5. USA   

Reviews (3)

good book
Good book, has great examples and the definitions are not that hard to understand. Ideal for any artist or reader that is interested in ART

Great Guide to the Process of Drawing
This book is an excellent resource. It is very clear and the examples are really very helpful.If you are a beginner or an artist of years, there is very much to learn from this book.The text does offer some excercises, but it's greater strength is from the explanation of processes.The book doesn't play out as an analysis of art pieces, but describes the process of creating an expressive and cohesive work in pretty much any style of drawing.It tells you how to practice and what to look for in a subject and in your drawing. This was the textbook we used in my drawing classes and it has been an invaluable resource since then.
well written, well illustrated
While giving clear 'how to' instructions for those beginning drawing, this book treats drawing in a much broader way than simply the realistic rendering of the visual world. It's well written and illustrated with works by a good range of contemporary artists. As an art college lecturer I find this book very useful as a resource for both myself and my students. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Drawing    4. Fine Arts    5. History - General    6. Technique    7. Techniques - Drawing    8. Techniques - General    9. Art / General    10. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles   

Reviews (19)

The secret is revealed!
I've always grown up wanting to be one of those people who could draw portraits but never had any luck. I havent touched a pencil in over 10 years, but my very first attempt after reading Carrie's book came out wonderfully! And it just keeps improving!
a word to the wise!!!
Carrie is a gifted teacher and artist who opens her heart to her readers, holding back no "professional secrets".Her enthusiasm for the gifts God has given her makes her books as well as her artwork a welcome addition to ANY artists library.She has personally recommended other teachers to me to help me add to my skills, and I can truthfully state that she (or one of her books) will encourage and empower you to be the best you can be.Carries' honesty, talent and energy are a great resource for anyone with the gift of art.

It works!
I not only bought the book, I found one of her classes and attended.I have drawn stick figures my whole life, and after her training...which comes directly from the book....I have drawn pictures of friends and grandchildren that actually look like them.Just as she says in the book, she teaches you how to overcome the patterns of drawing that you have in your head from childhood.She will teach you how to SEE!
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Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Drawing    4. Face in art    5. Technique    6. Techniques - Drawing    7. Techniques - General    8. Art techniques & principles    9. Drawing & drawings    10. Human figures depicted in art   

Reviews (68)

The Perfect Way To Enjoy Calvin And Hobbes
I suppose this could apply to any Calvin and Hobbes collection (not just Attack of the Deranged..., but let me share my favorite way to read Calvin and Hobbes.
Misleading title but good old Calvin + Hobbes
We were under the impression this was going to contain 100% snowman illustrations, so were slightly disappointed upon seeing that that was clearly not the case.
"I'd like to shake the hand of the genius who invented these."
Calvin and Hobbes... you gotta love them!
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Subjects:  1. Comic books, strips, etc    2. Comics & Cartoons    3. Comics & Graphic Novels    4. General    5. Humor    6. Humor / General   

Reviews (15)

An Excellent book for the Doré or Dante lover
The quality of this book - along with an amazingly affordable price tag - quickly persuaded me to pick up a copy. Its really everything you could ask for in an art book;
Absolutely Wonderful (Really 4 and a half stars)
I have looked at a variety of Dante artists. Some well known and some are not. Suloni Robertson, John Flaxman, Willam Blake, Sandro Botticelli, Sandow Birk, Herb Roe. Do a google search to look at the works of some of these like Sandow Birk. There are some that are more obscure which in a way documents the Comedy, more specifically the Inferno. I'm not going to say who I don't like but Dore is the best. I am rather specific about artists. Dore makes the grade. He is good, really good and when you look at this book, you feel like you are in the terrible depths of hell. I like purgatorio too. I feel the religious prayer songs in my head as I see Beatrice's entrance. There is so much symbolism in these pictures, especially in Paradiso. Though I do disagree with the depiction of Muhammad in hell, the rest is fantastic. I mean that he looks more like he's British then Middle Eastern. I imagine him with blonde hair in the plate. The tortured look on Dante's face in the plate with Betrand de Born, (The cover pic) is extraordinary. I felt how he felt. That is why Dore is so good. I had also hoped for more detail with Ugolino because his story is fantastically horrifying.
The Dore's Illustrations for Dante's Commedia are great.
The Illustrations from the 1st canto in the Inferno to the last of Paradiso are great because they help as a visual aid when reading the Divina Commedia.One can really see how and in which ways Dore, when he design the illustrations, followed the text very closely. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1265-1321    2. 1265-1321.    3. Art    4. Dante Alighieri    5. Dante Alighieri,    6. Dante Alighieri.    7. Divina Commedia    8. Divina comedia    9. General    10. Illustrations    11. Individual Artist    12. Photography    13. Printmaking    14. Techniques - Cartooning    15. Art / Fine Arts    16. Illustration   

Reviews (7)

Atlas of Foreshortening: The Human Figure is Deep Perspective
The book is okay. My biggest beef is that a lot of the poses that the models are in are pretty boring and could have been more interesting. They seemed pretty repetative to me as well. However, it does over insight on the muscles shapes formed when looking at the body from deep perspective. You can then takes that and push it to your needs.
Exellent!
This is the book I've been searching for for years! Most art photo reference books will either give you very standard standing, lying, walking poses or very artistic poses(ie unclear) . This book has clear photos of the body in unusual positions. There's a wide variety of poses and sections. Both male and female models.
Very useful
There are lots of visual reference books out there. It would be easy to populate a bookshelf with them. After a while, though, they start to look the same.
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Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Artists' models    4. Figure Drawing    5. Nude in art    6. Perspective    7. Techniques - General    8. Techniques - Life Drawing    9. Art / Techniques    10. Human figures depicted in art    11. Photographs: collections    12. Reference works   

Reviews (12)

A Must Have for your wirewrapping/jewerly making
This is really a must have book for your library of wirewrapping,jewerly making and polymer clay.I really find myself referring to it a lot when I need insperation in beginning new projects..Im not one to follow step by step.but this can be followed very easily,but its good for just adding here and there to what your making.Thats why I like the patterns.Mrs.C

Making Wire Jewelry
Younger wire makers will appreciate this book.The patterns are simple and use only wire in repeated designs joined together.The ring section is very simple and is only for someone just starting out in wire.Do not purchase this item if you have any expierence in wire jewelry--only if just starting out.

I LOVE WIRE JEWELRY
I am a 13 year old who loves trying new art.You might think because im'm 13 the projects in this book are easy, but they aren't.Some can be challenging but there are a few easier designs.I got this book becaus it was packaged with a kit including wire and pliers for [not much money.] Anyway, After I used up all the wire (lots of it) i was addicted.I was walking through [a store] and I saw more Wire Jewelry making products called Wild Wire(made by NSI Innovations). This should solve the people who can't find any supplies problem.They sell many things that the book calls for including a jig with removable pegs and other things that I found can be very useful in my new fascination with wire jewelry(especially the bead maker, I highly recommend it).This is a great book and you should definately get it if you are interested in wire jewelry making, but beware, you may become addicted.... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Handicraft    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Jewelry    6. Jewelry making    7. Metal Work    8. Wire craft    9. Art techniques & materials    10. BG-COOKBKS - BG - COOKBOOKS    11. Crafts & Hobbies / Jewelry    12. Handicrafts    13. Jewellery & jewellery-making   

Reviews (11)

Nice!
very nice book, a bit big and awkward for a textbook, but overall nice, quick delivery too.Great experience, recommend amazon for all my purchases! :)

Intro To Design
This book is one of the prerequesite books required to the students for my Intro To Design class. Pile is very informative, but sometimes over my head in his descriptions. We use this book along with Ching and I find Ching to be in much simpler wording. The pictures are beautiful in Pile....inspiring. A big investment ($80.00) for the serious design student....and worth it, in my opinion.

Excellent
This is one of several of Mr. Pile's books that are on my bookshelf.He is my interior design Guru.He has guided me through many an interior student minefield and brought me out unscathed and with a good grade.Again, good quality binding, paper, presentation, crystal clear text, great colour photography, and tons of information.Whatever I needed to find, it was right there.What more can I say? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Art    3. Design - Decorative    4. Interior Design    5. Interior Design - General    6. Architecture / Interior Design    7. Graphic design    8. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles   

Reviews (25)

WOW!!
I bought this book about a year ago, allowed my cousin to borrow it, and he didn't return it fast enough, so I bought a second copy! I love this book. Every time I pick it up I find someting I didn't see before. It's inspiration, educational and just, well...just wonderful. And the cover is stunning.

wonderful book
I am a working student in graphic design for web and print as well as web site design. Because I need to work I dont have time to work through books cover to cover. It seems that I'm allways trying to extinguish the "fire of the day" and I refer to my books for fire fighting techniques. With more experience hopefully I'll have most of these techniques in my brain...
A modern, solid, informed, beautiful guide for all those who use letterforms...
If you are a fine or graphic artist, a signmaker or architect--even a historian, anthropologist or architect--then you simply have to have this book. Stop looking for a book more complete in its study of the letterform and how it applies to our daily lives;it doesn't exist.Leslie Cabarga,the great California designer instrumental in resurrecting an appreciation for Art Deco since the 1970's, has outdone himself with this book.
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Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Artistic Lettering    4. Design    5. Graphic Arts - General    6. Graphic Design    7. Lettering    8. Logos (Symbols)    9. Techniques - Calligraphy   

Reviews (11)

Inside Edward Gorey's house...
If you are an Ogdred Weary fan...this is a truly wonderful book.Photographs of the exterior (peeling paint and kind of saggy porch) and the interior rooms of the house on Cape Cod in Gorey lived and worked, along with his cats and figbashes, piles of thousands of books, assorted rocks and oddish things, and the expected miriad of curiosities.Alas, or delightfully...just the environment one would expect of the eccentric Edward.A cabinet of curiosities...a delight!

Not MUST HAVE, but definitely NICE to have
This book wouldn't mean much to anyone who isn't already a Gorey fan. I own (and love) the compilations 'Amphigorey', 'Amphigorey Too' & 'Amphogorey Also', so have a head start. I also have the auto(?) biography 'Ascending Peculiarity', which is almost a necessary co-requisite to this book - it helps explain the cats, and many other Gorey details. Now that the individual books are available again, I'm tempted to get them too, because they are such nice objects - but only if the kids promise to share with me!

A specialty item for the true Gorey collector
Even dedicated fans of Edward Gorey will probably know very little about his personal life: he was an enigmatic recluse and few were permitted past his front door. Photographer Kevin McDermott's Elephant House will delight students of architecture and photography, providing rich duotone works of Gorey's intriguing home and its contents. A specialty item for the true Gorey collector, Elephant House is an impressive photographic showcase and a welcome addition to both architectural studies and photographic studies reference collections. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1925-    2. Architectural & Industrial    3. Art    4. Artists, Architects, Photographers    5. Authors, American    6. Biography / Autobiography    7. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions    8. Elephants in art    9. Gorey, Edward,    10. Homes and haunts    11. Intellectual life    12. Massachusetts    13. Techniques - Drawing    14. Yarmouth Port    15. Yarmouth Port (Mass.)    16. American English    17. Architecture    18. Biography: general    19. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles    20. Novels, other prose & writers: from c 1900 -    21. Photoessays & Documentaries   

Editorial Review

Madeleine Vionnet's greatest distinction as a designer was her discovery of the bias cut. Cutting patterns along the bias forces the fabric to cling to the body and move with it, which created her trademark look of draped, form-conscious clothing. When designer Issey Miyake first saw a Vionnet dress, it was like the first time he saw Read more

Reviews (17)

Fashion Architect
Being an architect (of buildings) I appreciate Madeleine Vionnet's approach to clothing "architecture."It is a pleasure analyzing the patterns and looking at the results in the gowns.Some of the gowns are very contemporary-looking and would be appropriate on today's "red carpet" events.It is a worthy and significant addition to any library

Designer skilled beyond belief
I have always admired photos of Vionnet's gowns.Not until I read this book did I have the slightest inkling of the genius in her work.She was truly an architect of clothing for the body.The book shows photos of each garment accompanied by pattern illustrations to show how the garment was constructed.Pure amazement.A wonderful book to give to anyone working with fabric, from fiber artists to homemakers.
Inspiring!
Though I have not read this book through I have paged through completely and it is a wonder visually.It has amazing photos along with patterns and history of many of Vionnet's creations.This book can be enjoyed by pattern makers, designers, history buffs and clothes horses.
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Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Biography    4. Commercial - Fashion Design    5. Dressmaking    6. Fashion    7. Fashion design    8. France    9. History    10. Patterns    11. Vionnet, Madeleine    12. Women costume designers    13. Biography: general    14. Photography / General