Reviews

In Progress: See Inside a Lettering Artist's Sketchbook and Process, from Pencil to Vector (Hand Lettering Books, Learn to Draw Books, Calligraphy Workbook for Beginners) by Louise Fili, Jessica Hische

elinevdg's review against another edition

5.0

4,5/5 - Let me start off by telling you that the design for this book is on point! I really love the use of spot-UV and and the metallic graphite colour on the cover. The graphite colour is also used throughout the book, in all of Jessica's sketches in the book and it feels like you're really looking at pencil sketches. The design of the book is very consistent and the lay-out makes it very easy to read and to process all the information without feeling overwhelmed.

As for the actual writing and information in the book: I loved it. The writing is informative and you feel like Jessica Hische is sitting next to you explaining her proces making little quips here and there. In the first part of the book Hische talks about her favourite tools and her lettering process. This was definitely the most informative part of the book and I felt like Hische was very honest, not omitting any steps. In the second part of the book we get to see a lot of different projects Hische worked on. Every project is explained and even here Hische gives more information about her process.

I believe this will be one of my best purchases this year and definitely one of my favourite books I read this year. If you're interested in hand lettering or looking for some very pretty inspiration, this is the book for you.

drj's review against another edition

challenging informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

I love every page of this book. Hische invites the reader into her studio and her work. She gives a delightful and insightful tour of her tools, process, and work. From sketch to screen to final art as delivered, and often the art as it appears in the final product or advert. Hische drops little tips about cameras, printers, and Adobe tools; she clearly loves sharing the way she works, and wants us all to do the best work we can.

Roughly the first third of the book is process and tools, leaving the larger remainder for examples of Hische’s work, which serves multiple roles: specimen catalogue, inspiration, and workpiece-focussed process insight. It's a fun book both to read and to flick through.

The book as an object—at least the hardback edition that I have—is well made, with good quality paper, a stitched lay-flat binding, and a 5th ink for the printing: a lovely metallic grey that gives a hint of pencil graphite to the sketch reproductions.

One of my favourite bits is where Jesscia Hische opens her pencil case for us. I have now got the same pencils and the same pencil sharpener!

talkingwires's review against another edition

4.0

I have mixed feelings about this book. I picked it up based on the premise that it showed the author's "process" and sketches when working on a project, in contrast to most books about design only show the final image. And while she does offer some insights into each project, most of the sketchbook images are the final draft, ready to be scanned and used in Illustrator. I would have like to see more rough thumbnails, false starts, and abandoned routes on the way to the final image. Including more of these would have helped tremendously.

So props to the author for lifting the curtain surrounding the process a bit, but disappointment that she does not pull it back completely and show projects from beginning to end.

I read the Kindle version and am happy to report that it is great. Lots of custom typefaces and impeccable formatting. A lot of work went into the design of the digital version, which most publishers would treat as an afterthought.

_alys_'s review against another edition

5.0

I thought this book would just have examples of Jessica's designs but it was so much more!
A wealth of information and tips along the way, giving insight into many of her projects making this book a very good reference book to getting into design and lettering!

bibliocyclist's review

3.0

http://jessicahische.is/

Daily Drop Cap:
http://www.dailydropcap.com/

atul's review

4.0

I'm a huge fan of Jessica's work, so I had to get this book. In the first part, she shares her story of getting into lettering, from her first job to her freelance career. In the second part, she shares how she creates her eye pleasing lettering artworks (This was my fav section). And on the third part, she shows some of her works ranging from logos and advertisements, to editorials and movies.

All in all, if you are interested in lettering and want to know how one of the best lettering artist does what she does, then definitely buy this book. This book is short and filled with pretty pictures.

annyway47's review

5.0

Jessica Hische is the genius behind the design of many beloved book covers - the whole Barnes and Noble's Leatherbound Classics series (for example, see [b:The Picture of Dorian Gray|10518145|The Picture of Dorian Gray|Oscar Wilde|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1358748042l/10518145._SY75_.jpg|1858012], [b:Frankenstein|14743396|Frankenstein|Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1415246981l/14743396._SY75_.jpg|4836639]); Penguin Drop Caps (for example, see [b:The Shadow of the Wind|18693872|The Shadow of the Wind (El cementerio de los libros olvidados #1)|Carlos Ruiz Zafón|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1478537012l/18693872._SY75_.jpg|3209783]), etc.

In Progress was an amazing, beautiful, interesting and very helpful book. I am simply in love with it! <3

It starts out with some basic info about calligraphy/lettering/types - tools, terminology, etc. So any person who is new to the topic will have no trouble following the book along moving forward. It is a brief but well-done and easy to understand introduction.



Then Jessica Hische invites us for a behind-the-scenes look at her work process - from brainstorming ideas to sketching to polishing the final piece in vector form. What I liked the most about this section of the book was the fact that she's very honest and open about the process. She lists the specific tools and techniques she uses, shows the stages of her work the way they actually look, and is vocal about the challenges that happen on each stage. This is not a polished version for onlookers - this is the real deal.



After that, we get to see a section on all the different types of work projects she does. Book covers, posters, logos, redesigns, postcards etc. There are plenty of pretty, colorful illustrations. She gives some background info about the projects, talks about how these types of projects are different (say, how designing book covers differs from designing posters), how it affects her work process.



The quality of paper, print, and illustrations is top-notch.

I loved the structure and the writing as well as the contents. Hische tells her story in such a friendly, open and honest way, you instantly feel like you're buddies. She talks about how she chose her education, how her career began and how she organizes her work and life now. So it even has a bit of a memoir component going on, some personal and vulnerable stories about the confused years of a beginner artist. It's very appropriate though.

Most of all it is a story of a person who is in love with her work, works hard and credits people who help and/or work alongside. It's a joy to read.

So I loved the book and I loved the author. This book is a beautiful thing to have and a great inspiration.