Format, AVA Academia

There are a number of titles on the market dealing with aspects of format but few can match this. The key to any book providing instruction is the clarity of the writing and the quality of the material used to illustrate it. Basic Design 01: Format, scores top marks on both counts.

The contents of Basic Design 01: Format, deal with all the key ingredients of format. These are Purpose and narrative, Printed media, Construction, Identity and branding, Shape and form, and New media. Each chapter has its own sub-chapters so, for example, under Identity and branding you will learn about materials. The writers explain how the feel of printed items has an effect on how we respond to them and on how we build a sense identity and brand.

Each chapter is flawlessly comprehensive and the pictures, diagrams and photographs make this book a must for any designer who is looking to fully understand the essential skills required for formatting. No one reading this book will ever get lost in jargon or confused by the images.

The second edition to this excellent book is more than welcome.

Format is written by Gavin Ambrose, a practising graphic designer and freelance writer and editor Paul Harris. For more information on Basic Design 01: Format, AVA Academia.