Book Review: Forms, Folds, and Sizes 2nd Ed.

Despite the less than enticing title, Forms, Folds, and Sizes (second edition) from Rockport Books is actually one of the most useful texts a designer can have on his/her shelf (and realistically it'll probably be on their desk more than the shelf). The densely packed, but not overly large, book is filled with prety much every technical detail a working designer needs to make sure their work prints, mails, or posts online correctly. From copyright basics, to printing terminology, it contains much more than what the title implies (though that's there too in abundance). There's even a large process color selector section at the back that's worth the price of the book alone. Forms, Folds, and Sizes is really about the stuff that is often breezed over or left entirely out of design education with the assumption that students will figure it out on their own or once they're in the working world. And while there's no beating learning by doing (and making mistakes), there's a lot to be said for getting it right the first time (and saving the pain and expense of getting it wrong on the client's dime). Based on the original edition, by prodigeous design writer Poppy Evans, this new version contains additional sections written with the help of Aaris Sherin on grid design, online design, design jobs, and (most appealing to me) environmentally aware design. The Greening Graphic Design chapter is a handy synthesis of the topics covered in Sherin's book SustainAble, making the book even more useful to the budding socially conscious designer (which really should be all young designers at this point). The one sad irony is that the book has a flexible vinyl cover. From a functional standpoint this makes sense since it will hold up better than a standard cover, considering how much more use this will get than a regular book. From the environmental angle however, this is one of the worst materials in existance and really is a shame that something else couldn't have been found to replace it. I know cost issues are a major factor with these things, but here's hoping the third edition comes with a cover that's as good as the contents within.

Forms, Folds, Sizes (second edition)
Poppy Evans & Aaris Sherin
Rockport Books
$30.00