Booklist Reviews
This installment of the new Discovering Art series offers a basic overview of graphic design, beginning with the history of the graphic arts before focusing on its contemporary use in advertising and communication. Inset boxes discuss specific examples in detail, many of which should resonate with students, such as font choice in Harry Potter books or the iconic Coca-Cola label. Teens may be particularly interested in the chapter on posters, not realizing that the art they casually hang on their bedroom walls has such a long history. Though there are surprisingly few illustrations for a book about graphic design (some passages describe images without offering any visual complement), the information is comprehensive enough to provide plenty of concrete background for initial research. Extensive source notes and a lengthy list of further reading suggestions close out the volume. Copyright 2014 Booklist Reviews.
School Library Connection
This series of Discovering Art features short volumes detailing very specific categories of art. While the content of these books is quite readable and interesting, the scarcity of photographs reduces their appeal. While perusing the books, I referred to the Internet several times for a visual because I very much wanted to see these works that were so exquisitely described. Source notes, suggested readings and an index complete each volume.
- Grades 6-12 - Candi Pierce Garry - RecommendedSchool Library Journal Reviews
Gr 6 Up—Each of these slender volumes provides a brief definition, information on technique, and a history of the art form in question. Some—Sculpture, for instance—necessarily provide a somewhat superficial perspective, distilling a complex topic to a mere 80 pages. However, the writing is simple and readable, and though educators may wish to supplement with more comprehensive sources, these are solid offerings for laying out the basics.
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