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bebidocrimes's review against another edition
I've been trying to finish this for almost a year now and need to be honest with myself. I loved getting to look into Kidd's design processes, especially the rejected designs. The formatting is very intentionally for a coffee table book and it's such a hassle to pull it out to read. Maybe someday I'll get back to it, but I'm freeing myself.
jennybeastie's review against another edition
5.0
It's particularly cool to read this extraordinary book as a librarian --so many of the books covers inside are familiar and recognizable as the popular works. I'm purely amazed at how this book, which could come off as Chip Kidd's scrapbook of celebrity encounters instead reads as a humble offering. It's probably the best chronicle of the last 20 years of graphic design in the united states and it comes across as modest, approachable and endlessly fascinating.
jdgcreates's review
4.0
What an amazing guy! I had no idea who Chip Kidd was or that he was responsible for elevating book jacket design to a high art, but there's no going back to ignorance once you've been exposed to what is essentially his funny, impressive, and very readable graphic design memoir.
tsutrav's review
5.0
Absolutely stellar!
Chip Kidd's star has been on the rise for a few years now. You can't walk down an isle of fiction without seeing his handywork catching your eye.
Kidd has achieved that place that all cover designers long to be. It's a lofty one where you are given enough room to really try some unorthodox things. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don't.
This book covers Kidd's work up until 2005. It's fun to read about the process of putting these covers together. And even more fun to read the responses from the authors he was designing for. It's no surprise how many authors hate their covers initially, only to come around and see the brillance of the designs once they see their book pop off the shelf when compared to others.
This is one of the few books Kidd has designed in and out, so it's a fun page turner. Lots of juicy layout and gorgeous photos.
Highly recommended for those with an interest in book design.
Chip Kidd's star has been on the rise for a few years now. You can't walk down an isle of fiction without seeing his handywork catching your eye.
Kidd has achieved that place that all cover designers long to be. It's a lofty one where you are given enough room to really try some unorthodox things. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don't.
This book covers Kidd's work up until 2005. It's fun to read about the process of putting these covers together. And even more fun to read the responses from the authors he was designing for. It's no surprise how many authors hate their covers initially, only to come around and see the brillance of the designs once they see their book pop off the shelf when compared to others.
This is one of the few books Kidd has designed in and out, so it's a fun page turner. Lots of juicy layout and gorgeous photos.
Highly recommended for those with an interest in book design.
tallblackguy's review
5.0
I love reading about creative people's processes; how did they figure to do this, or draw that, or make things that color? Here is a thick tome, full of Chip's work, and paragraph upon paragraph of him explaining the whys and hows, with some notes from the authors themselves. This was a treat to read and to gawk at. Stretching what could be conventionally done with type and photographs and stock images, Kidd did a ton with a great eye towards the material. Very much enjoyed this book.
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