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Basics Design #1

Basics Design 01: Format

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You have a concept. You are happy with the design. But have you considered the format? The new Basics Design 01: Format helps designers to make the most of the opportunities presented by the space and dimension of their work. This new edition of a best-selling title is both an inspirational sourcebook and a practical guide for the modern designer who wants to move away from a purely utilitarian approach to format.

Format is a tool of communication which is often underrated or underused. Your chosen format is your point of contact with the user. Can new media be exploited to use your space more creatively? Does your choice of format suit your brand’s identity? Have you considered how you would export the work across multiple mediums? Format will help you answer these questions and more, leaving you refreshed and stimulated to try out new ideas for your next project.

A huge selection of exemplary design work, industry interviews and activities encourages experimentation with a number of different formats. This colourful and informative book contains descriptions of folding techniques, including an example of a gatefold, special colours, die cutting, paper stocks and more, plus it concludes with a completely new chapter on on-screen, online and moving image.

Be inspired by work from this range of fantastic contributors: Cartlidge Levene / MadeThought / Frost Design / Pentagram / Andy Vella / Faydherbe/De Vringer / why not associates / Sagmeister Inc / SEA Design / Research Studios / Studio Myerscough / Hat-trick / Aboud Creative / North / Mercy / Lavernia & Cienfuegos Diseño.

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 11, 2004

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About the author

Gavin Ambrose

74 books29 followers

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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Profile Image for Natty Peterkin.
90 reviews2 followers
February 25, 2018
Coming back to design work after a long gap motivated me to study textbooks again for the first time in years – and I'm very happy I did! This AVA series is beautifully produced and this book was filled with inspiring examples of format-based concepts. I felt the fresh excitement of a student exploring a new field, and it's helped motivate me to redouble my creative/professional efforts.
Profile Image for Nikotta.
233 reviews5 followers
August 10, 2017
Un marco general del diseño gráfico, un poco de trayectoria y su práctica.
Profile Image for Laura Eydmann.
140 reviews5 followers
January 6, 2013
An interesting read for any print designers. This book has a brilliant combination of both very good examples and illustrations of different formats and technical information and terms on the formats and how they work. There is some lovely work in here, some of it I had seen before and some of it was new. There is work by Frost Design, Hat-Trick, Madethought, Pentagram, Rose Design, Sagmeister and Why Not Associates, ranging from books to posters, brochures to marketing objects…

Each example doesn’t just show a creative design but also the use of the different techniques talked about throughout the book – such as die-cutting, binding types, folds, scale, paper, print techniques etc. The book discusses and shows how different forms and formats of a piece affect the user or the audience, and that it doesn’t necessarily have to be the established mould. The book shows examples which illustrate the way in which different formats and effects change the way the audience interacts with the piece, and how it can add to the design and aesthetic of the work too.

One of the best things about this book which I not only really enjoyed but also found very useful, is the use of the techniques within the book – different paper stocks, print techniques, folds and cuts, which help to explain and show how these things work. The book is very image heavy, with concise explanations and captions, and handy little sections with useful glossaries, information design and lists of techniques and formats.

Not really a book to sit and read from cover to cover, although I did find it hard to put down once I started, this is a lovely reference book full of inspiration and information – well worth owning so you can dip in for different projects here and there.
Profile Image for Pavel Kočička.
71 reviews2 followers
August 17, 2010
Great informative book about format, printing techniques and finishing. A lot of great examples. Good written and very well done. I love works from Ambrose and Harris.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews

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