Robin Williams provides a practical introduction to the classical principles of design in this pamphlet-sized book. Her discussion of layout is organized around four basic design principles: Contrast, Repetition, Alignment and Proximity. Each is presented in its own chapter with plenty of you-can-do-it-at-home examples. The typography section explains the principles of Concord, Conflict and Contrast, based on Williams'classification of type faces by style (Oldstyle, Modern, Slab Serif, Sans Serif, Script and Decorative), weight (Light, Bold), Shape (Narrow, Wide), and spacing. A discussion of color is notably absent; the roots of this book in early grayscale Macintosh computing show through.

Williams's book should hit the mark for amateurs creating one-page designs such as simple web sites, brochures or business cards. Set aside an hour or two to read it and do the exercises, and your designs should improve immensely. Mine have.

Robin Williams是世界著名的设计师、技术专家和畅销书作家。通过写书和授课，她已经影响了整整一代数字设计师。同时，作为Adobe和Mac技术社区内的偶像级专家，她拥有大批的拥戴者。她是Publish Magazine、Adobe Magazine等杂志的专栏作家，是MacWorld Expo等业界重要活动和组织的顾问委员会成员，还创办了Santa Fe电影艺术学院。除本书外，她还著有几十部畅销图书和获奖著作，包括The Non-Designer's Web Book、Robin WilliamsDesign Workshop、TheLittleMacBook等．有的书已被翻译为15种文字，产生了世界性的影响。