Cheap Before & After (Book) (John McWade) Price

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Customer Reviews of Before & After

Learning design
We go at a frenzied pace to acquire and learn programs like Adobe PageMaker, Illustrator, InDesign, Corel Draw, Microsoft Publisher and applications of this type, namely those that are very much involved in 'desktop publishing'. Once learned we then sit down and design a newsletter, flyer, brochure or whatever vehicle we pick to convey a message to an unsuspecting public. But, when you sit down and really think about it, who is the 'unsuspecting' party? In my humble opinion it is I, the so-called designer of the material that we foist on that public out there.

All too often, we forget, or really never realize that learning desktop publishing programs is but the first step. What we surely need after that is some training on the principles of good design. For those of you that have gone through extensive training in design schools, you know what I mean and can just go on to the book at hand for a concise primer on design. For those that have had no training in graphic design, listen up for your design skills are about to get much more extensive and sharpened.

The book, Before & After Page Design, could not have a simpler or more descriptive title. The title says it all. The author takes a 'before' design of some type and then, in the course of several pages, transforms that design into the 'after' that leaves you saying, 'Sure, why didn't I do that in the first place?". Granted, page design, like all art, is a subjective field, open to the whim and interpretation of the designer. However, I must admit that the initial designs presented (the 'before') in many, if not most, cases would have represented my final efforts. But after seeing the transformation to the final (or 'after') design, I must admit that it was not only more graphically stunning but totally logical.

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Absolutely perfect
I have read this book thoroughly and I love it. It's better than any book of it's kind, and I would recommend it absolutely. I do, in fact, whenever I get the chance.

I own a bunch of books like this (including a couple by Robin Williams), but no other book is written (and presented!) so clearly. McWade is both a designer, making things look good, and a communicator, making things clear. He knows his stuff, but also knows how to make it accessible. And it's worked for me. I'm no professional graphic designer, but I was able to improve the look, and more importantly the usability, of all our corporate paper documents because of what I learned from this book. My partner is amazed (and very pleased). A very good $20 investment.

Though I've been interested in design and typography for years, it wasn't until I read Before & After that I really felt I had the specific tools to make it work. He gives very specific advice and recommendations (point and pica sizes), but still gives you the confidence and know-how to deviate from his recommendations.

Two nits: while everything is explained, not everything is explained in order. For instance, on page 11 he's telling me to use Century Light Condensed 16/18, but it's not until page 37 that I discover that the 16 is the font size and 18 is the leading. That only happens a couple of places, but it something he should have fixed.

Secondly, a few of the examples were clearly written a decade ago and not updated. The principles are still completely valid (and very, very good). But the color scheme on page 160 was so 1980s it was distracting. Sad, since that was hands down the best (and most comprehensive) chapter in the book: "Create a do-it-all business portfolio." Buy it for that section alone.

Seriously, no small business should exist without this book.

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McWade Gathers all the Before & Afters in one BIG book
In case you didn't get this, this book is built from years of newsletter and publication ( ads, flyers, business cards, etc) design in the mighty Before & After magazine.

See: http://www.bamagazine.com/ for a taste and some free goodies.

The design examinations here are thoughtful, well-reasoned and thorough from choosing colors to all-important voicing of typeography.

This book is also much cheaper than buying all the back-issues of the magazine. The new design and format do a great job of presenting the designs.

Jim, Before & After subscriber since issue one