Scan barcode
lattelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
I picked up this book because it was on the required reading list for one of my courses. I had the pleasure of reading this before classes started, and I'm glad I did. Bang does a fantastic job of describing and analyzing why pictures do what they do and how by doing one simple thing: cutting out shapes with construction paper.
Molly Bang herself is an illustrator, but she wanted to get to the root of pictures by using simple shapes, simple colors, and a simple story: Little Red Riding Hood. How do we connect Little Red and The Wolf? How do we show that the woods are a terrifying place? How do we make Little Red's mother look maternal while not taking the focus off of Little Red? Bang explores these ideas fantastically, all the while using a picturebook format.
If you're interested in art theory, or how pictures do what they do, I highly recommend reading this. It'll likely take you less than a day to get through, and you'll learn so much!
Get the full review here!
Molly Bang herself is an illustrator, but she wanted to get to the root of pictures by using simple shapes, simple colors, and a simple story: Little Red Riding Hood. How do we connect Little Red and The Wolf? How do we show that the woods are a terrifying place? How do we make Little Red's mother look maternal while not taking the focus off of Little Red? Bang explores these ideas fantastically, all the while using a picturebook format.
If you're interested in art theory, or how pictures do what they do, I highly recommend reading this. It'll likely take you less than a day to get through, and you'll learn so much!
Get the full review here!
ashish_ras's review against another edition
3.0
Understand space and position in art
A good book to understand concept of space and positioning in art. Easy to read with some fun exercises in the end.
A good book to understand concept of space and positioning in art. Easy to read with some fun exercises in the end.
brandifox's review against another edition
Bang seeks to make the tools of visual expression accessible and usable. A good contemplation for the creator and viewer of visual media.
“And that’s the question we have to ask ourselves when we add details: are these specific details helping to enhance the meaning or emotional impact of the picture or are they a distraction?”
“And that’s the question we have to ask ourselves when we add details: are these specific details helping to enhance the meaning or emotional impact of the picture or are they a distraction?”
toniclark's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, this is brilliant. I learned so much from such a few basic principles in this short book. It all seems so simple in retrospect, but still, I'd never thought to look at pictures this way. And will perhaps never look at them in the same way again.
I read it on the Kindle. It's probably better in color, but the images are simple and the colors easy enough to visualize. I might need the paper copy, though. And the paperback has a great cover.
I read it on the Kindle. It's probably better in color, but the images are simple and the colors easy enough to visualize. I might need the paper copy, though. And the paperback has a great cover.
madhamster's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating look into the basics of visual literacy.
Does make me want to try it myself, using the suggested medium of paper.
Does make me want to try it myself, using the suggested medium of paper.
sducharme's review against another edition
4.0
Really interesting - an analysis of how shape, color, placement affect our view of an image. This is one to sit down and read through, not one that has chapters or a way to skip around. Bang leads us through a visual representation of Red Riding Hood and models how various changes to design impact our feelings. The only thing I found odd is that for a book about design, the font and background color don't enhance readability.