How to be a Graphic Designer...2nd edition

Got this book as a belated birthday gift for my boyfriend who's just finished graphic design and apparently he really liked it. Personally I know nothing about graphic design so it was really risky for me to get this book, however, I checked online 'best graphic design books' just to add something to his graphic design books library so I thought I might as well give it a try and apparently he was one of the best things he's seen. This book includes multiple tips for your further career, such as getting a job etc. and it has many more things that will help you a lot. Can't say much more about it due to the fact that I haven't read it, however, listening to graphic designers perspective it is a good deal! So glad I found this book. If you are in the same situation, with a person who's just settling in in this industry don't hesitate getting this book!

After 19 years as a Graphic Designer and Photographer for a management consultancy, I recently grabbed voluntary redundancy. Phew! For the last five or so years I had begun to wonder whether I really enjoyed design or despised it. It was difficult to distinguish whether the problem lay in design, or designing for THAT particular company. So I began reading design again. Adrian Shaughnessy's 'How to be a Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul' reminded me what a wonderfully exciting and interesting profession it is. He seems to give us a very honest and candid account of one designer's experiences grappling with and growing within the design world; and starting, running and ultimately leaving a design studio to go off on his own again. The book goes way beyond graphic technique and the latest notions of 'cool' - to discuss things like retaining and promoting integrity in the design business, grappling with design BS (client BS as well as how much it might be necessary for you to dish out), some real-life insights into hiring and firing practice of graphic designers (and clients!). Shaughnessy spends some valiant time trying to get beneath the notion of creativity. Regarding design briefs, he offers some good suggestions: take up a role of scepticism and interrogation towards them, be wary of conventional wisdom, rely very much on common sense, and look for what is missing from the brief (which is often the key to unlocking really successful work). And - quite inspiring this - he gives us the green light to rely on our INTUITIONS, without apology. Nice. If you want a book about GRAPHIC DESIGN AS LIFE, this is it.

This book is another essential to add to the list for any new or experienced designer. It has a lot of information relating to portfolios, presenting yourself, interviews, landing your first job. I haven't given it a full 5 stars as it is a bit long winded in some of it's explanations of things. This didn't stop me from reading it cover to cover though. I have referred back to it several times since finishing it too.

I am not a big reader in fact i pretty much hate reading, however i am a graphic designer an do like books. And this is a book that i am glad i put the effort in and read the first page because by the end of every page i wanted to read the next one and for me that is the sign of a well written book. it is full how grate ideas and ways of thinking and apart from the small out side margin (witch i wish was 5 mill bigger) is beautifully presented.

Great book! I recommend it to every student and beginner in the profession! Very light and enjoyable to read.

Whether you are a junior designer or been in the graphic design world for year this book is a must-read. it great to get yourself out of a rut, know your next step in your career or just reassurance that you are working in the right industry

I can’t comment on the book as it is a gift - I’ve heard it’s a good one for graphic designers. However I’ve received my item and it looks second hand. The spine is all creased and some pages are dogeared. Should have gone to the shops but oh well!

Great book for those looking to get into graphic design. Good advice and genuinely a very decent read (coming from someone who doesn’t read!)

A staple in the graphic design world. A must read!

Excellent book, bought as used book at very low price. Only the cover is slightly damaged otherwise almost new book. Love it. Thank you Amazon and the seller.

Ottimo prodotto, consiglio a tutti! Nuovo e la spedizione velocissima! Nulla di cui lamentarsi... Proprio come in fotografia :-) !

Good product

This is book is a classic. It was very good when it came out years ago and it is simply a must today with this expanded edition. Its place is firmly in the syllabus of any course on visual culture, communication and graphic design. Several lines from the chapter about the required qualities of graphic designers are now posters on my wall. Read this book if you are practicing, studying, loving graphic design. Not only you will keep your soul intact, you will indeed expand it. Every single page seems to have been written - and designed, I might add, as even the book's page layout reads as powerful statement - with the purpose of igniting conversations well beyond graphic design.