5 comments about Manufacturing Processes for Design Professionals.

1. This book give a great overview (not in detail) of many manufacturing process with lots of case studies. For me, it felt like reading a magazine, which keep me excite every time I read it.



2. This is an excellent book for designers, well worth buying. It is a great reference guide for all material manufacturing processes, highlighted by colorful photos of processes and products. Over all it is awesome and I've found it very useful.
   
   Another great book that has a bit more on material properties and useful stats is Materials and Design: The Art and Science of Material Selection in Product Design. These two books make an unbeatable combo.



3. About time someone made a book this good! Most of the other books on the subject are incomplete, out-of-date, or just plain butt-ugly. This is the new standard! In fact, I just recommended it to the department chair at the design school where I teach, so we can make this part of the curriculum. I give it six out of five stars.



4. This is the best book I've seen so far about this subject. Attractive for (industrial) design students, but also for professionals. Very good graphics, photography and printing quality. The choice of examples is not too technical -mostly consumer products- and therefore recognizable for designers. Low price for such quality, the only disadvantage is that with 2,6 kg the book is not easy to carry!



5. It is an excellent book on manufacturing processes and materials. Not overbearingly technical, just the right thing for designers. A step in the right direction, like Ashby and Johnson's book Materials and Design: The Art and Science of Material Selection in Product Design

2 comments about Draw 50 Sharks, Whales, and Other Sea Creatures: The Step-by-Step Way to Draw Great White Sharks, Killer Whales, Barracudas, Seahorses, Seals, and More (Draw 50).

1. My 8 yr old loves drawing! This book shows you step by step how to get sea creatures to appear on the page! Fun for all of us. Great gift idea for any budding artist (or any parent who wants to draw cool things for their kids).



2. "Draw 50 Sharks..." is an excellent book for children and adults interested in marine life, and at the same time wish to appreciate art. I found the step-by-step sketch examples non-intimidating as some drawing books present themselves. Children will find this book useful as a template for drawing sea creatures, and can improvise from them. The book is a "must-read" for children. Teachers should incorporate this book into their curriculum as a way to spark creativity in children.

5 comments about The Artist's Complete Guide to Facial Expression.

1. I'm a sculptor, very interested in capturing expression, and have been looking for a good book of facial expressions for some time. I saw the title, ordered the book and was extremely disappointed when it arrived; the last thing I wanted was someone else's interpretations of facial muscles. I needed photographs of the real thing, so I set the book aside, intending to send it back.
   
   Then I took a class with a very well-known portrait sculptor, and was surprised to hear him recommend this same book. "But it only has pencil sketches!" I protested, "Shouldn't we use pictures of real people?"
   
   "Forget photographs. You need to actually read the book. Have you?" he asked, "You must READ it, every page. This is the best facial reference for the sculptor that I have ever found."
   
   I followed his advice, and he's right. Faigin is an extremely talented sketch artist and his drawings will teach you a lot, but the accompanying text is really what makes this book work. He's carefully catalogued what each of the muscle groups in the face is doing throughout the expression of an emotion, and the sketches simply show what he's talking about. The text explains WHY we recognize certain muscle positions as a particular expression, and helps us understand the relationships of muscles, tissue and skin when the face moves.
   
   Faigin starts with how facial muscles portray key emotions, then moves to comparisons of different muscle groups in subtler positions. For sculptors, it probably helps to have a 3D model of the facial muscles (in addition to a mirror) handy while reading this book. But it's such a rich store of information that you'll learn plenty without them.



2. This book is the best I have read about drawing portraits. You learn a lot from this book as it is in a format that is easy to understand.



3. The author and artist did a superb job in explaining the theory of emotion, and then his actual drawings provide an excellent guide to these basic emotions. This is a rare and unique combination.



4. This book gives you an excellent overview of the anatomical structure of the human head. A distilled amount of studied and learned information. I'm sorry to say that the author is one that is better at teaching than drawing, because almost all of his example drawings are so badly executed that I found myself wondering how the heck it all went so wrong when he applied his own techniques to his subjects.
   
   I got rid of the hardbound paper cover for this book so that I would not be instantly "turned off" by the ones on the front and back of the dust jacket. The drawings themselves are so overworked to the extreme that words fail me. They look forced and do not consistently convey the emotion that the author attributes to them.
   
   I found myself "deflated" rather than inspired to use his techniques because of the example drawings (although this may not bother you as I tend to be a "hothouse plant" when it comes to quality and execution of ideas).
   
   Summing up: On the Pro side: A fine reference to add to your library for the biological anatomy of the head, both in proportion and a broken down "geometrical" approach of it's basic construction - On the Con side: a terribly uninspiring look at those references put to use in the authors overworked, unrealistic and extremely disappointing drawings.



5. The Artist's Complete Guide to Facial Expression by Gary Faigin is one of my favorite art books because it isn't limited to a particular medium. My goal as an artist/illustrator is to portray people as realistically as possible, and this book is filled with hundreds of pictures of expressions along with the facial muscles that produce those expressions. The demonstrations show the artist how to portray even the subtlest emotion. But this book isn't just for artists whose style is realistic; artists who prefer cartooning can also benefit by understanding how to translate complex expressions into simple lines.

5 comments about Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook.

1. This book is not just its companion volume in workbook form. This was written four years after publishing Writing The Breakout Novel, and after extensive workshop tours. You get the addition of all the exercises from his workshops. If you liked Writing The Breakout Novel, or if you're considering buying it, go ahead and add this volume to your cart. It is well worth the purchase.
   
   The only dissapointment I had in this book was that after many steps in the exercises, he orders us emphatically, in italics, to "Write that down now. Write those down. Start writing now. Note them. Make notes. Note it now. Make notes, starting now."
   He insults his reader by assuming that we are procrastinators who can't finish what we



2. I have both workbook and book. I use this when I'm plotting or replotting a book. I find the exercises make me think hard about my stories and bring out my creativity. I'd definitely recommend it.



3. I finally bought this book after rechecking it from the library several times. I love the challanges presented and the advice given. This book has helped me dig deeper and develop my own novel.



4. Since he published Writing the Breakout Novel in 2001, Maass has taught a seminar of the same name at many writers conferences, and naturally learned from these experiences. The original book is here expanded by nearly three dozen exercises, which seem quite sensible, not hokey as are some by other teachers I've read.
   
   I own the Breakout book and just now am comparing the workbook that I checked out of the local library. They're not the same, not by a long shot, despite what one reviewer here says. Though many sections have identical headers (such as Inner Conflict), they are completely rewritten, using different examples. The original book is 259 pages of 6x9, the workbook is 230 pp. of 8-1/2x11 format, thus it is by no means a condensation as TheCafeWriter asserts, and the original book is not necessarily more "in-depth." Some sections are, some aren't. The structure is substantially rearranged. Yet the concepts and the really fundamental points -- keep your story charged with tension, and so on -- do remain identical. These are essentially two complementary treatments of the same material by the same author
   
   Maass asks his seminar participants to bring their in-process novels to perform exercises on, so the workbook is particularly useful if you are well into writing a novel already. With the discipline of the exercises, Maass teaches you to be your own draft doctor.
   
   For me, there appear to be easily enough new perspectives and ideas here to warrant buying the workbook even though I have read the original and have it on my bookshelf.



5. This book is most beneficial to writers who have already completed the first drafts of their manuscripts. The exercises made me review some of my characters' attributes and turn offs as well as making sure my secondary plots tied into my main plot. Mr. Maass' suggestions caused me to re-think my villians a little bit and show a side to them that could be somewhat empathetic. Also, adding tension on every page for me was tough, but I found creative ways to do it. I do believe my completed novel is better now after making suggested changes. I stuck to my own gut on some of the things he suggested I change, but overall I did use a lot of his advice. This is a good purchase but you must do the written exercises not just skim over them.

1 comments about Watermedia Painting with Stephen Quiller: The Complete Guide to Working in Watercolor, Acrylics, Gouache, and Casein.

1. I have been waiting for this book for over a year. I heard about it at Stephen Quiller's Summer workshop in Creede, Colorado, June 2007. I have been painting watercolors for a lot of years and have studied, read, drawn, and painted fairly consistently through those years. I have concluded that all aspects of doing art are important to learn--drawing, composition, materials, equipment, and so on. But, once you have gained some competence in these areas, it all comes down to color. Now I have learned about color too, but during the latter part of those years, Quiller's books "Color Choices" and "Painter's Guide to Color" really helped me achieve a quantum leap forward in my use and understanding of color.
   
   Stephen Quiller is an expert and master at painting with watermedia, all kinds, and at mixed watermedia, plein air painting, and color. And these subjects are covered in this book. But I always had a wish, and that was that he would explain his compositional approach. How does he put together his paintings onsite and elsewhere? And here it is. And what a treasure it is!
   
   What I also appreciate is that this book was written by an accomplished and dedicated teacher, who genuinely desires to pass on those valuable lessons he has learned to us struggling artists. And it is written well. I have followed his work and writing for a number of years, and he just keeps getting better. Stephen Quiller is the real thing. He works hard at his art. He knows what he is talking about, big time. His helper at his gallery in Creede (matter, framer, researcher, manager, etc.) Chere Waters told me, during a conversation at the gallery, that every day he is at home and can, Quiller is out painting. That's what it takes, folks. I tell my students, "You want to get good, do it everyday!"
   
   If you want to learn more about watermedia painting from one of the best, whether watercolor, gouache, acrylics, casein, and how they can be combined to advantage; if you want to learn how to plan and develop your paintings well from sketchbook to finished work; if you want to follow the thinking of a master artist--get this book.
   
   Highest recommendation.

5 comments about 500 Bowls: Contemporary Explorations of a Timeless Design.

1. This is a great book for inspiration. I love the photos and descriptions. This is not the book for the how-to lessons, but is great eye-candy for any artist working with a bowl form.



2. Beautifully presented, with 500 timeless ideas and references. If you are a potter and looking for inspiration - this book is a gold mine.



3. I'm a clay artist who does hand building...My teacher brought in this book to share with our
   pottery class. I and the rest of the class were simply blown away by the originality and brilliance of these clay artists. We spent half the class passing the book around and saying to one anothr "how about THIS one?"
   None of us wanted to put the book down and get back to working on our own pieces.
   
   The book is quite reasonable in price and I was so captivated by these beautiful photographs that I went ahead and bought the the other two books in the series which are specific to animals and teapots...The photographs on each page are simply spectacular...memorable....something I wouldn't directly copy in my own work, but much of it is just insipirational...and informative. Description of how the piece was fired...the method for it's execution (whether hand or wheel built). These books are a collection of the most original works I've ever seen. Although I don't build animals of out clay, I'm as thrilled to own each book from this series as I am
   "500 Bowls".



4. This book is beautifully photgraphed, like all the 500 series books, and weather you put it on your coffee table or in your studio, it lights up the imagination and inspires the artist.



5. It is the simplicity of the bowl on the cover that draw us in, though it is difficult, as there is no cover credit in the edition I own, to find who that artist is. Deep inside we find that bowl and another by potter/artist Judy Motzkin. Patient searching pays off. This elegant little book, with this elegant saggar fired bowl on the cover is a treasure.

5 comments about The Book as Art: Artists' Books from the National Museum of Women in the Arts.

1. Terrific book that is a keeper. If you can't get to see a portion of these works of art exhibited, at least you can enjoy what is being created out there by this wonderfully photographed and informative book. An added bonus was that it arrived sealed in plastic in mint condition!



2. This book is a wonderful review of the art of books as contemporary sculpture. As a fiber artist-bookmaker-handmade paper maker, I bought a copy for my own library, then gave another copy as a gift to a fellow artist who was interested in using books and book images in art. Inspirational as well as informative. I look forward to seeing the actual exhibition.



3. This is one of those products which is true to its theme from the moment you unwrap it.Being a book about the beauty and creativity of books it has itself to be worthy, which it certainly is. It is a pleasure to hold and to explore, as the design and concept have been carefuly considered.
   The examples chosen are rich and varied and are divided thematically.The problem is that so many of the books are enormously intriguing that one wants to handle them to discover their mysteries. However the descriptions are usually very good and do allow one to at least understand the concept of the creator.If you love books as art, this is a truly wonderful possession.



4. Turning the book making into an art can make a book more attractive and collectible. This book demonstrates a lot of outstanding examples. Readers are completely satisfied by the books in this book.



5. One of the best! This book should be on your bookshelf if you are interested in the books as an art form. I would suggest it for any school or college media center. I would not include it on a list for coffee table books but if you have a serious home library which leans toward the book arts,artist journals and sketchbooks; by all means, put this out on the reading table.
   The next best thing:Visiting the Museum in person!

5 comments about The Writer’s Complete Fantasy Reference.

1. This is a great general reference guide. It gives you a place to start so you know what direction to go in if you want to delve into a topic further. I liked the generic descriptions on witchcraft, which for being Christian, I found very benign and non-threatening concerning a topic that can get heated very quickly.
   The book had good general descriptions, but didn't get too deep in any one area. This lets me decide if I want to research something further.
   If I had to say something I didn't like; it would be that I wish the book were longer, so it could cover more, and go into greater variety of the topics it covers.



2. I wouldn't call this an in-depth reference, but it is a good place for fantasy writers to start research. When I'm stuck for ideas, I'll often browse the pages and see if something catches my imagination, then take off. The sections do remind the fantasy writer of different aspects involved in world building.



3. If your young, or new to fantasy writing this is a good reference book. It details many subjects that you cant find in normal reference material or that would be hard to find. Clothing, nobility, ancient forms of magic and their use, dark age life ect. Many people have given this book a bad rating but I found it very interesting and helpful. It is not complete, true; but finding a book with everything you need to know about fantasy and ancient times would be impossible to find. This is the basics and I think it was worth every penny. Get it at a discount here on amazon. I love this site !



4. I'm not saying "don't" buy this book. I'm saying buy it used at a considerable discount. It's got some useful information and and few 'exercises' that are helpful, but overall it's kind of flaccid. It's worth a read or two.



5. My son likes to write fantasy stories and plays D&D with his friends. He was thrilled with this book! It gives backgrounds and historical facts as well as advice and tips. The one feature I think is helpful is the vocabulary in reference to castles and costumes of the time periods often found in fantasy stories. Celebrated authors write essays on several subjects, so the information is not without merit. After all, they sold their stories. I am not the one reading this book, but I will say that my son is 16, and teenagers don't get excited over much, so if he was thrilled, you know it must be good!

5 comments about Watercolor School (Learn as You Go).

1. "Watercolor School" by Hazel Harrison states on its book jacketthat it is "a practical guide to painting with watercolor." This is an accurate description of this really useful book. It is complete in every aspect, and even for the more experienced watercolorist it can be used as an exceptionally valuable informational source. What more can I say? It's a great book.



2. I am just a beginner, and this books helps me learn the basics, and encourages me to try and get better.



3. I'm a serious beginner and I chose this book for what it offered and then was surprised to notice that it's a Reader's Digest book (sorry, but I guess I'm a bit of a book snob). Well nevermind because it's a terrific book. Hazel Harrison walks you through a huge variety of watercolor techniques. Great lessons and reference.
   
   I would have appreciated specific paint colors and brands with each example/technique, but even without that it's a very valuable resource.



4. This is an excellent book. I have been painting for many years and
   still learned a lot from reading it. In this case I bought it as a
   gift because I liked my copy so much.



5. Over the years, I have bought many watercolor books to help me get started painting with watercolor. I wish I had found this one first. It has the basics and more. The techniques and demonstrations are illustrated extremely well. The text is easy to follow, too. In some cases, it even gives two approaches to painting the same subject matter. Good color theory, too. I know I will use this now and into the future.

4 comments about Drawing for Designers.

1. This book shows ways things are drawn, sculpted, and rendered. It even shows a little about how some things are made. I recommend this book if you want to do in the Industrial Design area.



2. Got this as a text book for one of my daughter's Visual Communications classes, sophomore year in college. She really enjoys it and says that it is one that she will not sell back because it has many things that she will be able to refer back to. A good one for her professional library.



3. A good book of value to budding designers as well as those more advanced. a great reference, well worth a look. tom p.



4. The reason for the 4 stars instead of the 5, is because it's a nice overview book on the process designers go through when creating new designs, but it doesn't really go in depth in terms of sketching techniques or the "how to", in the way I expected it when looking at the title: "Drawing for Designers".
   
   I think this book is great for people new to the design process, first year students for example or people looking to make a career change and want to know more about industrial design, but people with more experience will be left wanting to see more.