The Elements of Graphic Design :
Space, Unity, Page Architecture, and Type
Alex W. White
© 2002 Allworth Press
ISBN 1-58115-250-7
$24.95
6 1/8 x 9 1/4"
150 pages, illustrated
Review by Gary Munch
TDC Vice-President, 2001 - 2002
Alex's original title for this work was, of course, White Space. It's really truly about that; the use and misuse of white space as activator of a layout or design or space. Grazing the generous illustrated instances of such use, I must say that the left hand pages are most interesting; they have a self-explanatory logic to them, as they contain visual examples of the various topics covered in TEGD. The captions also feature great quotes from designers through history, which both verify and challenge the material under consideration.
Illustrations :
Each illustration is either real, or invented to make the point of the text. With their nearly thumbnail scale, the fundamental elements that make the designs work (or not) are emphasized, leaving the details of text and image unseen. The effect is of the viewer standing back from the work; a technique we all use to check a layout for errors or happy accidents, and for overall integrity.
Text :
With such strong content on that hand, the text becomes almost secondary. Using the illustrations and captions to the illustrations is design education at its best; teaching by example. Explications of the principles shown are available within the main text for the more studious.
Paradoxically in a book on white space, the smallish pages seem crowded by that main text; its type, in Quay by David Quay, might be taken down a point to more closely harmonize with the very important and intriguing captions and illustrations, as befits a book that will be held close in order to better examine the goods. Slightly smaller text type could also open some white space between the illustrations areas and text areas. Fortunately the book works rather in a reverse mode - the illustrations are the main content, and the text is supportive material, to be perused when more explanation of the principles are needed.
The Sections :
The four sections, as enumerated in the subtitle, deliver as promised; each touches the basics, fundamentals, and finer points of design appropriate to their modes.
Space looks at the way positive and negative space can work to the designer's advantage;
Unity deals with the way designers must make choices to eliminate extraneous elements or features, which avoids the kitchen-sink jumble look;
Page Architecture deals with the construction of the page grid and its use, and the coherent flexibility a versatile grid provides;
Type provides a historical overview with a timeline on the development of type from written forms into the multi-faceted thing it is today, and also gives pointers to the better ways of setting type in terms of word and line spacing, visual voice, and matching and contrasting type with its message.
As an instructional text, The Elements of Graphic Design: Space, Unity, Page Architecture, and Type deserves a place on any instructor's desk and book lists - students of graphic design will be better informed and better equipped for life in the business with this compact little gem in their bookbags.
Gary Munch
2002-12-23