White Space is Not Your Enemy: A Beginner’s Guide to Communicating Visually through Graphic, Web and Multimedia Design

Designing a brochure or web site without an art background? Step away from the computer and read this breezy introduction to visual communications first. Written for non-designers, White Space is Not Your Enemy is a practical graphic design and layout text introducing the concepts and practices necessary for producing effective visual communications across a variety of formats, from print to Web.

This beautifully illustrated, full-color book covers the basics to help you develop your eye and produce attractive work. Topics include:

• The basics of effective design that communicates its intended message
• Pre-design planning
• 13 Layout Sins to avoid
• Basic typography
• Working with color
• Storyboarding for video, Web, and presentions
• Information graphics
• Mini Art School–all the basics in one chapter
• Outputting your work

Table of Contents

chapter 1: what is design?: making visuals & type play nice in space
chapter 2: step away from the computer: for research & brainstorming
chapter 3: i need to design this today: the works-every-time layout
chapter 4: layout sins: 13 amateur errors
chapter 5: mini art school: the elements & principles of design
chapter 6: what is a grid?: & when do i need one?
chapter 7: layout: where to put your visuals & type for impact
chapter 8: type: what you don’t know can hurt you
chapter 9: color basics: choosing & using color
chapter 10: adding visual appeal: working with photos & illustrations
chapter 11: the scoop on infographics: maximum information in minimum space
chapter 12: storyboarding 101: planning visual storytelling
chapter 13: multimedia components: sometimes more is more
chapter 14: designing for the web: starring on the small screen
chapter 15: fit to print: an overview of papers & printing
chapter 16: conclusion: now that you know enough to be dangerous, thanks for stopping by