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是世界著名的設計師、技術專傢和暢銷書作傢。通過寫書和授課，她已經影響瞭整整一代數字設計師。同時，作為Adobe和Mac技術社區內的偶像級專傢，她擁有大批的擁戴者。她是Publish Magazine、Adobe Magazine等雜誌的專欄作傢，是MacWorld Expo等業界重要活動和組織的顧問委員會成員，還創辦瞭Santa Fe電影藝術學院。除本書外，她還著有幾十部暢銷圖書和獲奬著作，包括The Non-Designer's Web Book、Robin WilliamsDesign Workshop、TheLittleMacBook等．有的書已被翻譯為15種文字，産生瞭世界性的影響。