30 review for A Smile in the Mind

1. 

   4 out of 5

   Anton Iokov – Dec 28, 2020

   A great collection of examples. --- "But when wit is involved, the designer never travels 100% of the way. The idea has to be 'seen' or decoded, and this demands an active recipient. <...> It is as if the designer throws a ball which then has to be caught. So the recipient is alert, with an active mind and a brain in gear." "The most valuable accessory in my studio is a large wastepaper basket. Getting ideas is easy: deciding on the right idea and developing it is the difficult thing." — Abraham Ga A great collection of examples. --- "But when wit is involved, the designer never travels 100% of the way. The idea has to be 'seen' or decoded, and this demands an active recipient. <...> It is as if the designer throws a ball which then has to be caught. So the recipient is alert, with an active mind and a brain in gear." "The most valuable accessory in my studio is a large wastepaper basket. Getting ideas is easy: deciding on the right idea and developing it is the difficult thing." — Abraham Games.

2. 

   5 out of 5

   Nikhil – Jul 05, 2020

   In the world where you are overloaded with the visuals and data, this book focuses primarily on the hidden Witt and humour. This non-fiction teaches one how to be a lateral thinker and more importantly how can one bring the same in action.

3. 

   4 out of 5

   Gareth Otton – Jan 09, 2014

   I couldn't agree with the subject matter of this book more. Wit and humour are without a doubt some of the most important things you can possibly put into your work as a designer. As they rightfully point out it helps to engage your audience, it makes them want to interact with your work and it provides them with rewards that make them feel good. Why then has this book lost two stars in the rating? Simply because the authors have not heard their own message. The writing in this book was as engag I couldn't agree with the subject matter of this book more. Wit and humour are without a doubt some of the most important things you can possibly put into your work as a designer. As they rightfully point out it helps to engage your audience, it makes them want to interact with your work and it provides them with rewards that make them feel good. Why then has this book lost two stars in the rating? Simply because the authors have not heard their own message. The writing in this book was as engaging as school textbooks. Everything was analysed and broken apart well but it lacked the wit and humour that helps greatly in more than just design but in all aspects of learning as well. If the content of this book had a bit more of what they were discussing built into it then this would have been a five star book. As it was it ended up being a long winded book that, as with all overly analytical books, started to kill its subject matter through boredom. Overall not a bad book and an interesting topic but it could have been covered better.

4. 

   5 out of 5

   Nick – Aug 03, 2007

   in my first year at pratt i had this douche of a teacher who made us all look at this book which he had put on reserve in the library. I think his last name was burton or something either way, he was a total ass who would tell you to do one thing after a critique and then at the next critique would ask why you did it and say it was better before. At the end of the year he told me i had to work on my hand-eye coordination, what the hell does that even mean? Should i go home a play video games, pl in my first year at pratt i had this douche of a teacher who made us all look at this book which he had put on reserve in the library. I think his last name was burton or something either way, he was a total ass who would tell you to do one thing after a critique and then at the next critique would ask why you did it and say it was better before. At the end of the year he told me i had to work on my hand-eye coordination, what the hell does that even mean? Should i go home a play video games, play with that paddle with the ball attached to it, what? And that is why he and his dumb book are the doucheiest things ever to exist in brooklyn.

5. 

   4 out of 5

   Emily Blaxill – Jun 30, 2020

   Awesome book. Read as part of my reading list for my BA Graphic design course I'm starting in September. Extremely helpful for ideas generation. Really liked the passages at the end by famous designers. Would definetly recommend. Awesome book. Read as part of my reading list for my BA Graphic design course I'm starting in September. Extremely helpful for ideas generation. Really liked the passages at the end by famous designers. Would definetly recommend.

6. 

   5 out of 5

   David Schmader – Jan 14, 2010

   This book is a pointy-headed treatise on wit—where it comes from, what it consists of, how it works—with examples drawn from several decades of print advertising. My favorite chapter is devoted to holiday cards created by advertising agencies for their clients, where a whole company of sharp designers and copywriters work together to create an image that celebrates the holidays, exemplifies the firm's wit and style, and, hopefully, leaves the holiday cards created by rival firms in the dust. (Br This book is a pointy-headed treatise on wit—where it comes from, what it consists of, how it works—with examples drawn from several decades of print advertising. My favorite chapter is devoted to holiday cards created by advertising agencies for their clients, where a whole company of sharp designers and copywriters work together to create an image that celebrates the holidays, exemplifies the firm's wit and style, and, hopefully, leaves the holiday cards created by rival firms in the dust. (British designers seem to get seriously competitive about holiday cards—it's wonderful.)

7. 

   5 out of 5

   Gareth Jones – Jan 22, 2013

   How can material required to convey the crisis and recovery strategies reach the audience better. Tired of reviewing plans that people just can't pick up (or more usual - don't or can't use or feel involved with etc) get the picture - how can we do better? This is the reason for search of better graphics and ways of presenting programmes and process. Using accelereated solutions development process provides the cue for better and better visuals. Please let me know if you have seen a killer refer How can material required to convey the crisis and recovery strategies reach the audience better. Tired of reviewing plans that people just can't pick up (or more usual - don't or can't use or feel involved with etc) get the picture - how can we do better? This is the reason for search of better graphics and ways of presenting programmes and process. Using accelereated solutions development process provides the cue for better and better visuals. Please let me know if you have seen a killer reference here!

8. 

   5 out of 5

   Derek – Sep 03, 2010

   A delightful book. It was a much-needed reminder to me that good design is about ideas first, execution of those ideas second. The book was published in 1996, but most of the work in it still feels fresh and classic. The writing, for the most part, was insightful and witty, though there were some points where it felt like just filler. The book inspired me to turn away from the computer screen a little more and pick up a pen and paper.

9. 

   5 out of 5

   Powells.com – Dec 08, 2008

   Smile in the Mind goes beyond the typical eye candy that is the focus of so many design books – and actually shows the possibilities of concept with intelligence and wit. The text is also informative and worth reading, discussing work from over 300 designers in the USA, Britain, Europe and Japan. Documenting the power of intellectual playfulness, it is interesting and even a bit inspiring. Recommended by Amy, Powells.com http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/biblio... Smile in the Mind goes beyond the typical eye candy that is the focus of so many design books – and actually shows the possibilities of concept with intelligence and wit. The text is also informative and worth reading, discussing work from over 300 designers in the USA, Britain, Europe and Japan. Documenting the power of intellectual playfulness, it is interesting and even a bit inspiring. Recommended by Amy, Powells.com http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/biblio...

10. 

    5 out of 5

    Rob Snow – Aug 17, 2012

    A must for any graphic designer. Especially if they have concerns to understand the importance of lateral thinking in design. Humour being one of the fundamental aspects of good advertising and design, makes this book invaluable, as it explores the many techniques open to make the involved consumer more able to be subject to the product, or at least enjoy the product. With hundreds of examples, this book is a good reference to any designer's library. A must for any graphic designer. Especially if they have concerns to understand the importance of lateral thinking in design. Humour being one of the fundamental aspects of good advertising and design, makes this book invaluable, as it explores the many techniques open to make the involved consumer more able to be subject to the product, or at least enjoy the product. With hundreds of examples, this book is a good reference to any designer's library.

11. 

    4 out of 5

    Norman – Apr 18, 2016

    "Witty thinking in graphic design" is the sub-title and that's the content. You can see and read about witty designs, witty companies, witty designers and the invaluable short pieces on how certain designers came by their inspiration including Saul Bass and Peter Brookes. A great book to browse for hope in mankind! "Witty thinking in graphic design" is the sub-title and that's the content. You can see and read about witty designs, witty companies, witty designers and the invaluable short pieces on how certain designers came by their inspiration including Saul Bass and Peter Brookes. A great book to browse for hope in mankind!

12. 

    4 out of 5

    Jennifer – Jul 09, 2016

    The main body text can be a little dry but the image examples make up for that slightly. Starting to age a bit, but worth a read to see the different ways witty and clever design can be used.

13. 

    5 out of 5

    وعد الشدي – Sep 01, 2011

    كانت قراءة جماعية مع طالبات التصميم القرافيكي.. تجربة ممتعة..

14. 

    5 out of 5

    Andi Boediman – May 03, 2008

    WOW is a word to describe this book. A collection of witty design that truly makes you smile in the mind. A must have!

15. 

    4 out of 5

    Katerina – May 27, 2010

    super

16. 

    5 out of 5

    Mike – May 17, 2009

    Not so much a book to read but a book to look at - again and again and regularly. Jam-packed with brilliant witty thinking in design. A bible of ideas.

17. 

    5 out of 5

    Semi-Academic Eric – Jan 20, 2011

    I glanced through this and it looks like something that is intended more for graphic artists than a lay person like myself at this point in life.

18. 

    5 out of 5

    Chris – Jun 11, 2012

    Designs with wit. Love it!

19. 

    5 out of 5

    Michael Rowley – Oct 25, 2008

    The essence of what design is

20. 

    4 out of 5

    Lauren – Jan 05, 2009

    Very clever, very quirky, a collaboration of great designs

21. 

    4 out of 5

    Sharon –

22. 

    5 out of 5

    Achamed –

23. 

    5 out of 5

    Mkuki Bgoya –

24. 

    4 out of 5

    Shanal Tripathi –

25. 

    4 out of 5

    Christi Lim –

26. 

    5 out of 5

    Pellvetica –

27. 

    5 out of 5

    vaughan jordan –

28. 

    4 out of 5

    Jason –

29. 

    4 out of 5

    Cat –

30. 

    5 out of 5

    Ppp –