dahveedgr

• Rated 5 stars

“Simple, no-nonsense advice on usability process and benefits... Specially useful for the uninitiated and underfunded.”

dahveedgr wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“A classic book, highly useful for designers everywhere, especially when used in defense of clean, un-ornamented information graphics (Perfect for client and in-house design debates). The same could be said on ALL books by Edward R. Tufte... They all MUST be in any self-respecting designer's library. Even if they are repetitive with their lessons, the examples are vivid, and great real-life demostrations of the power of visual design.”

dahveedgr wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“A seminal (if somewhat dated) book on the principles behind user experience. A must read for beginner in the discipline”

dahveedgr wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink )

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 4 stars

“Mr. Schwartz gives wonderful counter-intuitive examples of how when people face too much choice, sometimes defer action or even take none at all.

"More" is not always "better". The price of added confusion and devoted time/resources to constant evaluations among multiple choices, outweighs the benefits of having "alternatives". Perception of quality may even be diluted when such "invitation to compare" is offered!

Eye-opening wisdom for anyone creating customer-facing product and/or services. Highly recommended.”

dahveedgr wrote this review Thursday, July 16 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“This a beautiful handy little book... One of those basic guides of "Though shall do, though shall not" commandments you may tend to dismiss based on its sheer straightforwardness, but that once overcame the initial moment of pride and prejudice spurred by poorly-masked insecurity, you may actually enjoy with its clarity of opinion and point-of-view.

Typography is indeed fraught with opinion. The practice has literally millennia of refinement and polishing, and is one of those creative endeavors so tightly wound around one specific aspect of human evolution (codified communication), that you can actually denounce what is wrong without feeling like an old conservative geezer. Yes, there is such a thing as typographical sins. Yes, it is very easy to tell apart good from bad. It is NOT just a matter of taste. A distorted, badly selected, badly implemented typeface can be suffered from a mile away. You either know it, or you don't.

... This book will help you a bit to be among those "in the know". 44 bits in fact. 22 on what not-to-do, 22 on what-to-do. Simple and to the point. Useful refresher for those of us that are not typographers. (Yes! Even graphic designers have no right to claim understanding of such specific craft). Overcome your hubris and take upon this book for a few hours (that is all it takes), do overlook its badly translation from original Spanish (Is got typos! The irony) and actually learn a thing of two on aspects you probably suspected, but needed validation anyway. Afterwards, do yourself a favor: Go to http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2007/08/08/80-beautiful-fonts-typefaces-for-professional-design/ and learn them by heart. You may now feel entitled to know what you are talking about.”

dahveedgr wrote this review Tuesday, February 26 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“Good analysis of what is to be a designer (versus a craftsman, versus an artist) and good common-sense advice for those just starting on the discipline (what to learn, what to expect), Also: Great selection of design-related quotes and other reusable meme-fostering buzzwords all through-out.”

dahveedgr wrote this review Thursday, February 21 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“For either those that have been loving typography for many years, or those that just recently have fallen infatuated. This exhaustive documentation of type-crafting minutiae is a MUST-have for reference and obsessive appreciation of classic forms and details.

Karen's careful eye will help you dissect all the classics... Perhaps even discover missed aspects of a much-visited serif, perhaps finally understanding the commonality of a specific "m" proportion, perhaps understand the evolution of "g"...

Many hours of delight await for you within its pages. Get it.”

dahveedgr wrote this review Thursday, February 21 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“Of all books I own on typography, this little gem stands out. Is not a manual of how-to, is not a philosophical treatise, is not an analysis of form... It is simply an evening-worth of reading about the life of someone that absolutely loves typography.

Jan Tschichold was an artisan that understood the importance of understatement and clarity in form... and of the importance of the environment AROUND the type. Such as negative space, page composition, proper kerning, leading... Even book-making! ("The Form of the Book"). He even advocated for standardized norms (quite precise) for page sizing, letter scaling and overall architecture of the printed page, while at the same time, proposing asymmetry and playfulness within the page. A rebel genius in the world of heavily traditional typography! This cost him being chased by the Nazis for creating "un-German" typography, but interestingly enough, he reverted his approach on later stages of life... Adopting classicism as his new war cry.

This is the perfect book for those that "think" they know typography... A moment to take a deep breath, sit down, and see the world of type anew from Jan's intuitive eyes. Simplicity will ensue.

I love him for giving us elegant Sabon... and of course the beautifully cohesive "Penguin Books" cover designs.

Quick bio and samples: http://www.linotype.com/609/jantschichold.html (make sure to click "more" after each paragraph)”

dahveedgr wrote this review Thursday, February 21 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“Great reference book whenever establishing a process in a UX team (and tailor to your own needs)... There is not many other sources with this granular advice!”

dahveedgr wrote this review Sunday, September 9 2007. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“If you live, rather than visit San Francisco... You NEED this guide. Period. (Beautiful, legible, simple maps by the way).”

dahveedgr wrote this review Monday, November 17 2008. ( reply | permalink )