Action Figure Daniel

Category: Reading

  • Edward R. Tufte Readings

    Of all of the design books that I have read (which are a few), Tufte’s are the best. I love his analysis of display, presentation and layout. I do not know when I first read a Tufte book, but I think his works have had a more profound effect on my skills, rather my application of those skills, than any other author or class I have ever taken.

    As I have been posting my Reading to this blog I took it for granted that everyone has read and enjoyed Tufte books. Then, one day, it dawned on me that I should stop assuming that Tufte is a household name (though I have been surprised the contexts in which I have heard his name) and share my readings of his works too. I have prepared several Reading posts about his books.

  • “The Essential Calvin and Hobbes” by Bill Watterson

    It is Calvin and Hobbes. How much better can life get than curling up under a warm blanket or lounging under the sun reading the imaginative adventures of a young boy?

  • “Information is Beautiful” by David McCandless

    Information is Beautiful is one of few books that I can check out over and over again. In fact, I know exactly where it is shelved in the university library (which is almost sad to say). The surprising bit, for me at least, is that the book is made entirely of infographics. There is no dialogue, monologue or “logue” of any sort. Instead, the book is a pure description of random information collected from various source.

    Interesting tidbit: The human eyes process about tens times as much data as the tactile senses.

  • “The Art of Looking Sideways” by Alan Fletcher

    A delightful collection of visually intriguing ideas and concepts. The book is rich in images collected from a wide variety of places, each with some insight about concept and application accompanying it. It is not just a good table piece, but also a fun way learn new ways of looking at the world.

    Interesting tidbit: Pacific Islanders used shells, rocks and sticks into their fishing nets that they used as a map of the islands, currents and winds.

  • “Pentagram Book Five” by Pentagram Design

    A collection of fifty case studies in brief of advertising and design work preformed by Pentagram Design. The book is a bit more than most advertising book that merely through a serious of their “best” ads at the reader. Instead, they go into depth about the theory and principles behind the way they designed, including some analysis about what worked and what did not. This is not a book that one would sit down and read, rather it is a book to flip through and stow away the images with an increase in knowledge about good design.

    Interesting tidbit: Pentagram Design was responsible for the Celebration, Florida. The special city built and maintained by Disney.