Re: Re. Catalog design

[Romay Jean Sitze <rositze -at- NMSU -dot- EDU>]

I will second Geoff's recommendation for "Before and After." In fact, I
just finished reading my copy of the latest issue which has an excellent
article on Catalogue design.  The tools McWade uses are typically
PageMaker and Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator.  However, if you don't have
these, many of his ideas can be fairly readily adapted to other tools.
In any case, the information regarding grids and typography are not
limited to any one set of tools.

On Mon, 11 Dec 1995, Geoff Hart wrote:

>  I've advertised this before, but the request for info. on
>  catalog design reminded me of an indispensable resource for
>  anyone who has to do design work as well as "just" writing.

>  "Before and After", 6 issues per year at $36 (U.S) per
>  year. c/o PageLab, 1830 Sierra Gardens Dr. #30, Roseville,
>  Calif. 95661-2912. (916) 784-3880  (Back issues available
>  for about $48/year.)

>  John McWade, in addition to being a superb designer, is a
>  good writer. He explains why a design works (or doesn't
>  work) better than anyone else in the business and shows you
>  how to make your own designs work. Most importantly (to me,
>  anyways), he does this from the perspective of how and why
>  people read, and doesn't use "artsy" (excuse the
>  pejorative!) language... this ain't no "modern art
>  explained" magazine. I recall an old issue on catalog
>  design, but even if not, browsing through the back issues
>  will help stimulate your creativity and will do so in the
>  context of how readers read.

>  It's a bit pricey if you base buying decisions on the page
>  count (typically 16 p.), but the info. is well worth the
>  price of admission.

>  --Geoff Hart    @8^{)}
>  geoff-h -at- mtl -dot- feric -dot- ca

>  Disclaimer: If I didn't commit it in print in one of our
>  reports, it don't represent FERIC's opinion.


        RoMay Sitze,  rositze -at- nmsu -dot- edu