Better Than Christmas

This morning i had a very exciting visit from the post man. Alongside the books i'd ordered from Amazon were a couple of other treats! I got myself a sample pack from Benwells designed by We Made This, and my new GF Smith Sample book. I wonder if i could flog the RHS gold certificate at the chelsea flower show this year?

1000 Graphic Elements, Print & Finish & The Production Manual:

These are a few books i was interested in having a look at. Shall post more as i get through them but the general gist of them run along the lines of the other books i've looked at: Informing print & finish decisions with limited images and no tactility.

The Production Manual: A Graphic Design Handbook - Gavin Ambrose.

"The Production Manual" teaches all aspects of getting a job to production. It is a very practical 'hands-on' guide or manual for graduate students who tend to leave college without any of these skills. It will teach students how to use the knowledge they have gained during their course.In the case of printed work, this would include; plate-making, resolution, printing techniques - everything to ensure that the project is produced as required. The book also shows the inspirational side of production, for example, creative printing and how to achieve tricky effects like duotones and halftones. All the areas that fall under the remit of graphic design are covered including exhibition, packaging and signage.This title is suitable for graduate students of graphic design, photography, media studies, fine art, industrial, and product design as they start out in their careers, those wanting to get even more out of the production process, practising graphic designers, and those teaching different aspects of design.

Basics Design: Print & Finish - Gavin Ambrose.

An introduction to a variety of printing techniques, such as letterpress and litho as well as a range of finishing techniques, including varnishing and embossing. Printed on a series of seven different paper stocks allowing the reader to see the results that can be achieved from creative stock selection. Demonstrates advanced printing techniques via the use of three special colours to show how metallic, fluorescent and pastel inks can be used to great effect.

1000 Graphic Elements: Special Details for Distinctive Designs - Wilson Harvey.

Often it is the small details that make a piece shine - similar to the way that unique buttons on a white shirt can give it an entirely new look. This book explores 1,000 of the embellishments available to graphic designers across all kinds of projects, from books to brochures, invitations to menus, CDs to annual reports. Exacting photography focuses in detail on the different options, and the reader is invited literally to shop for ideas. Content is organized by type of embellishment, ie: a designer searching for an unusual binding would find a wide collection of fresh ideas in the binding section. Other topics covered include fasteners, graphics, unique materials, embossing, debossing, speciality inks, type treatments, interesting colour usage, add-ons, die-cuts and much more.