Graphic Idea Notebook

From "About This Book" "It is a compendium of answers to various kinds of needs. When it was first conceived, it was entitled somewhat bombastically the "Editor's Vademecum.' I sued the Latin because there seems to be no English equivalent to the concept of 'vademecum,' which literally means 'go with me.' In English, the term refers to a ready reference book or manual that is 'regularly' carried about by a person: a working companion. This is exactly what the 'Graphic Idea Notebook' is intended to be -- and it does this by fulfilling several functions. It's fundamental purpose is to act as a SPARKPLUG FOR IDEAS, to jolt editors and art directors out of the habit patterns of thinking and working that we fall into. We develop these habits as shortcuts for getting the job done as expediently as possible, but they can often become substitutes for original thinking and prevent us from seeing acutely, and solving problems inventively. This book is designed to be thumbed through when you need a new approach to handling some graphic dilemma. When the book is used this general way, the fact that it is organized in categories can become a hinderance. So forget the arbitrary division of the subject matter in this case, and just riffle through the pages. Table of Contents * Getting attention * The Editorial Eye * Combining and Joining * Direction, Motion, Change * Mugshots * Boxes * Alphabets, Numbering * Breaking up Text * Charts * Maps Back cover: Over 1000 editorial design ideas * 87 graphic tricks to grab a reader's attention * 53 ways to bring out the hidden meanings in pictures * 114 ways to combine and join pictures * 110 ways to indicate motion and direction * 23 ways to show increase and decrease in value * 31 ways to show change in time * 124 ways to make the most of mugshots * 103 ways to use boxes * 201 kinds of charts and graphs * 43 versions of maps of the world * 35 versions of maps of the US * 116 ways to break up text with subheads, initials, indents etc.

I've been singing the virtues of Jan White's Graphic Idea Notebook since 1980. I recommended this to all my workshop and seminar attendees, until it became out of print. Since then Jan has written many other books -- but never updated this one. Then, just last week this new edition arrived in the Design Bookshelf mail box and we all rejoiced.What the publisher says really doesn't do the book justice. Here is page after page of doodles, sketches and ideas all penned by Jan himself. It's pure visual brainstorming that's been organized into a form that is both inspiring and entertaining. It's a joy just to thumb through the pages. Many of the ideas are classics... others are quirkish twists on visual and word plays. Jan says: Some of the captions identify or describe the images themselves, some are possible interpretations of an abstract concept or metaphor. All are just stabs at meaning. None claims to be the right one or the only one, because there's no such thing. Interpret them -- or twist them -- to fit your story. Their only purpose is to trigger a thought and spark an idea, which is the purpose of this book as a whole."First there are ideas in cliches. Then ideas in mime -- gestures, body language or expressions. From there through time, then facts and figures and ending with my favorite; type and typography. He even provides you with an extensive list of printing terms in six languages. There's no index. Who needs an index? Besides, since when could you index ideas? Yet the book is ultimately 'flippable' -- any page you land on has a good idea. His notations are delightfully informal yet engaging.If you need ideas. If you need creative sparks. This is the place to look. The best part is how much you'll enjoy looking. And don't be surprised if you find many more creative ideas than you thought you needed.