Identity design (logos, letterhead, web sites, etc.) is one of the most popular topics in design books, and Identity Crisis takes a fresh look at this common subject by exploring the process of redesigning existing identities to help businesses refine their images, communicate with customers, and find success. Readers will get an inside look at the challenges of redesigning identities. They’ll see the creative and strategic thinking behind fresh design work as well as have a powerful tool to show clients what a difference a professional can make to their image.

I am also happy to announce that one of Finamore Design’s re-branding projects, New Triad for Collaborative Arts is featured in the book.

In this book Steven Heller and Mirko Ilic analyze fifty great pieces of graphic design (posters, books, catalogs. music packaging, logos, brochures, etc..) and dedicate a spread per piece to explain why these designs resonate with us and what about the design makes them great. Then each spread has a gate fold where they show samples of historic design work (including captions explaining why) that probably influenced the artists.

They believe that graphic designers are “pack rats” constantly storing design ideas in our brains for later use. They do not guarantee that all of the influential pieces were definite motivators for each piece. They are just educated guesses. And who else to make those guesses than the co-chair of the MFA Design program at the School of Visual Arts?

Keep ‘em coming Steve!

Ballsy: 99 Ways to Grow a Bigger Pair and Score Extreme Business Success

Starting with her theory that talent is on about 3% of the success pie, in BALLSY, she lets you know what skills make up the other 97% and how to use them. #1 More important that talent, have Balls! Along with the tips come detailed descriptions of how to use them and real world examples of where they have been used. Her unflinching advice and straightforward tactics can help you get the career you’ve always wanted. After all, your success is only as large as your determination.

Gut: How to Think from Your Middle to Get to the Top

In GUT you will learn that the key to making the correct business decision, the one that will work, does not come from crunching numbers and analyzing reports, but from listening to your gut instincts. Salmansohn’s basic philosophy here is that the smartest decisions are always based on being attracted to opportunity, priorities, and high values. She illustratesd these points through a series of short, useful and humorous tips on how to squelch the internal voice that until now has been hindering your ability to make the correct decision by learning to tap into your gut instinct. NO PAIN NO GAIN!

Karen Salmansohn is a best-selling author, motivational speaker, columnist for Newsday, advertising agency vetran, creative consultant, and more. For more information about her, visit http://www.notsalmon.com

Both of these books are published by HOW Books.

This book explains the why, what and how of the “Masters of Deception” like; Guiseppe Arcimboldo, Salvador Dali, Sandro Del-Prete, M.C. Escher, Scott Kim, Shigeo Fukuda, Rob Gonsalves, Ken Knowlton, Octavio Ocampo, Roger Shepard and more.

This book is not only great for design research, but also hours of fun just to look at and enjoy.

After the book was published the author created the web site: http://illusionworks.com/mod/ where he explains: “There are a number of incredible artistic works featured in Masters of Deception, which require movement to appreciate their full impact. Additionally, I had in my possession various interviews with some of the book’s featured artists that I wanted to share with my readership. Unfortunately, the publisher was unwilling to produce a CD to accompany the book. I have created this web site, therefore, to augment and enhance the reader’s experience by presenting those works and interviews that I could not present in book form.”

Yes, Dan Brown, the author of The Da Vinci Code. Where we follow the adventures of Robert Langdon (coincidence?). He also wrote Angels & Demons. In fact, it was in Angels & Demons that I (like most people) first came across the work of John Langdon. I have been a fan of his ever since.

I also recently realized that Mr. Langdon is a fellow teacher at The College of Media Arts and Design at Drexel University. I have not had the pleasure of meeting him yet. But hope that opportunity presents itself in the near future!

For more information about John Langdon his website at http://www.johnlangdon.net/

You know it’s going to be a good book when you see the AIGA logo on the spine. Normally I do not hesitate when I see that little back square with the four white letters, but for some reason this book eluded me for two years. When I was in the mood for another branding book it wasn’t on the shelf, or when I did see it there, something else caught my eye. This book had been recommended to my by so many people that I finally had to go out and buy it.

While most books on the subject of branding cover either the left brain or the right brain approach, Marty explains in easy-to-read english just why it is so important to bridge the gap between these two hemispheres and attack branding with both sides working co-operatively.

Starting by explaining what branding is not, he then proceeds to work his way through what it is, how to do, why it is important, and how to test is what you want to do will actually work.

There is a quote on the book that can not be better stated:

“Read this book before your competitors do!” —Tom Kelley, general manager, IDEO
The Brand Gap by Marty Neumeier was originally published in 2003. This expanded edition now features a 220-term brand glossary.

Finally, someone wrote this book so I don’t have to. I know that most designers are like me, they want to spend all their time creating good designs for good clients. But the truth of the matter is that aside from being a good creative, there is a fair amount of business acumen designers must acquire, wether they plan on freelancing, working full-time, or running their own agency. In this book Shel Perkins spells out every aspect of business for every type of designer in a language that is easy to understand.

From career paths to pricing to legal issues no stone is left unturned. This book is an invaluable asset and now sits in my short pile of constantly accessed reference material.
As a bonus, new chapters and updates are slated to be published on the book’s website at www.talentisnotenough.com