The Non-Designer's Design & Type Books, Deluxe Edition

by Robin P. Williams

Design and typographic insights from the author of The Non-Designer's book series (over 700,000 copies in print!)

This book offers decades of experience from one of the greatest computer book authors. Here in one volume, Robin Williams has joined together a new edition of her classic The Non-Designer's Design Book—in glorious full color for the first time—and her best-selling The Non-Designer's Type Book. Robin uses her straightforward and lighthearted style to define the principles that govern good design and type as well as the logic behind those principles. Using numerous examples, you'll learn what looks best and why on your way to designing beautiful and effective projects. Whether you are a Mac user or a Windows user, a type novice or an experienced graphic designer, you will find inspiration and direction for the design quandaries and conundrums you are sure to encounter!

These essential guides to design and type will teach you about:

• The four principles of design that underlie every design project
• Categories of type
• Working with color
• How to combine typefaces for maximum effect
• Readability and legibility
• The proper typographic treatment of punctuation
• Letter spacing, line spacing, and paragraph spacing
• Special characters and accent marks

Genres: Design, Nonfiction, Reference, Art, School, Writing

240 pages, Paperback

First published October 25, 2007

About the author

Robin P. Williams is an American writer of computer-related books. She is particularly known for her manuals of style The Mac is Not a Typewriter and The Non-Designer's Design Book, as well as numerous manuals for various Mac OS operating systems and applications, including The Little Mac Book. Williams has also spent years studying William Shakespeare, and in 2006 issued her book Sweet Swan of Avon: Did a Woman Write Shakespeare? in which she proposed the writer Mary Sidney as a candidate in the Shakespearean authorship question.

Reviews

[Lynnae · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although the design advice in this book is actually pretty useful, I'd like it a lot better if the book's design wasn't so AWFUL. Ms. Williams should have followed her own advice better.

[Bryan Tanner · Rating 3 out of 5]

TL;DR

This is a textbook for Graphic Design 101.

SUMMARY

…I can't summarize this. You'll just have to read it. Know that half the book is on general design principles and the other half is specifically on communicating through fonts.

REVIEW

I have a Ph.D. in the field of instructional design. I think Williams offers some solid design principles and unique insights. As an instructional designer (ID), I found the design chapters most helpful. The chapters on type were merely interesting.

[Kristle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book full of really important fundamentals of design. The lessons taught in the book stick and I look back to these rules when I need to refocus on what I'm trying to say visually. Don't let the outdated internal design dissuade you from the value information it contains.

[Takahiro Ishikawa]

One of the best books to learn the core principles to design things better: Alignment, Contrast, etc.
You can apply the principles to many occasions: formatting writings, building web/mobile apps, etc.

[Daniel Hollands · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good couple of books for anyone new to design and typography. Easy to understand advice, and lots of examples. I've learnt just enough to be dangerous.

[Craig Dube · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came across this book as a it was referenced in A Whole New Mind from Daniel Pink (a book I read last year and highly recommend). The version of the book I picked up was actually two books in one; one being The Non-Designer's Design Book and the other being The Non-Designer's Type Book. The first book references design principles to consider when dealing with graphic design (those principles being Contrast, Repetition, Alignment and Proximity). The second book is mostly focused around type setting principles and best practices.

While this would most likely seem a dry read, I actually enjoyed it quite a bit as I came to realize all the elements and aspects that go into print design. I had never previously given much thought to fonts, typefaces, letter spacing and special characters. Now that I've read this book, I believe those aspects will be more obvious and appreciated by me. The book is full of examples of different design principles and how simple changes and attention to detail can make all the difference in communicating your message.

Not a read I could easily recommend, but one that has allowed me a newfound respect for an art that I was previous ignorant of.

[Manuel Frias · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read "The Non-designers Design Book" as an ebook on an iPad and I liked it so much that I had to buy the paper edition. Besides, I was so disappointed with the layout of the ebook.

This edition has two books: the above mentioned and the "Non-designer's Type Book", another gem to learn the basics of type.

The problem now is that I know more about design. I now clearly distinguish the flaws of reports, brochures, even maps.

It is a problem because we are surrounded with so much crappy design (my own work also) that eyes almost hurt sometimes.

The good side is that now I can try to improve my work and I can even try to influence other people.

[Bucket · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rules to follow (or break!) in design and typography, explained especially for beginners or those who occasional do design work but aren't really professional designers (e.g. me).

There wasn't really anything here that was a revelation for me, but the way the book is organized is so simple that it actually got me thinking about and reminding myself of the "rules" as I've been designing things, mostly for work. In that way, the book is really well-done; everything is memorable and applicable. Definitely a worthwhile reference for those of us who are self-taught and infrequent designers. this clear and simple framework for thinking about design and typography elements goes a long way.

[Serge Pierro · Rating 5 out of 5]

While looking for a book as a "refresher" to Graphic Design and Typography, I had come across several reviews recommending this book and I can see why. It is essentially two books in one... one on Graphic Design and the other on Typography. The breadth of the book is quite wide for someone who is just starting out on the aforementioned topics, and I have already recommended it to others that I felt could learn from its teachings. And while it is certainly suitable for beginners, intermediate and advanced students will also find lots of excellent material contained within. Highly recommended!

[Ami · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has a really great voice, sassy & clear about artistic instructions. The only unfortunate thing (for me) is that a lot of advice is page layout program-specific, so not having Adobe InDesign or Quark puts the reader at a disadvantage. Also, I noticed in The Non-Designer's Type Book that Williams tended to refer to things in future chapters a lot, which made me feel like I could have benefitted from a second reading. But overall it was fabulous, lots of solid advice and made me feel like I was beginning an education on the stuff I've always wanted to know.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, solid introductory advice for those interested in design principles and looking for a way to start thinking critically about them. (Disclaimer: I didn't get to the section on type). WIlliams breaks down most of her words of wisdom into four principles--proximity, repetition, contrast, and alignment--and gets you started learning to keep them in mind as you analyze more complex situations in the free-for-all of design that surrounds us every day.

[Melissa Blevins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a frequent flyer and fan of Robin P. Williams. She is the reason I am able to utilize the Creative Suite of Adobe. What's better than ONE book from Robin? Two-in-One - which is what you'll get with this book. Well done!

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This stuff is awesome! I didn't read the Type section, but the first part about design was extremely helpful & easy to understand. The contrasting examples were a great learning tool. I recommend this book to anyone who creates newsletters or signs that the public will read.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Content wise, this book covers all basics. I learned the necessary skills for my design class from this book. Design wise, this book made me laugh at some of the font choices. The design could be more modern, but the academics are sound.

[Tim]

This is for my interactive media class. It's highly recommended by Emily, our instructor.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The design section was exceptional. The type section was weaker, but quite good still.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good, practical guide for beginners who are interested in graphic design. Explains very clearly the basics of good and professional design.

[Candice Seplow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is good for those who are new to graphic design and have little knowledge about design and typography. Only took me a few hours to read.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I forgot how much I love this book. So many good ideas. Yeah, the worst cover ever, but the inside is beautiful.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good, quick course in graphic design for the beginner who just needs to make a few flyers

[Sparky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very clear explanations, very usable information.