Fingerprint: The Art of Using Hand-Made Elements in Graphic Design

Design is at a turning point. Our infatuation with--and the backlash against--technology is over. Today's best designers have learned to embrace its advantages and think beyond its limitations by combining the power of the computer with the tactile qualities of handmade elements.

Inside you'll find examples of work that showcase a variety of design methods, including mixed media, illustration, letterpress, screenprinting and collage. You'll find inspiration in examples from outstanding designers and see how traditional elements can make a more powerful statement than anesthesized computer-only work. Fingerprint also includes insightful essays on the power of the handmade by Debbie Millman, Jean Orlebeke, Jim Sherraden, Martin Venezky and Ross Macdonald.

The projects in this book are beautiful, technical, simple, layered and powerful. Each project communicates its intended message with eloquence.

You can be part of this exciting design revolution. Leave your own fingerprint on the world by exploring the fusion of the digital with the hand-wrought.

Chen Design Associates is a visual communications firm based in San Francisco. Firm Principal Joshua Chen is a frequent guest speaker for professional conferences, workshops, studio tours and educational institutions. The firm self-published the award-winning Peace: 100 Ideas.

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All Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review:
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Excellent, 2008-10-06
To tell you the truth, I bought this item on a whim. I was much more satisfied with this graphic design book than others I have purchased recently. It is excellent if you are a visual consumer like I am. I would highly recommend the seller. It was promptly sent and received. Thanks a million for this jewel!


0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Excellent variety, 2008-10-03
This book is beautifully printed and bound. The work chosen covers a much broader range of techniques and visual styles than I'd anticipated when placing my order. It's a fantastic source of inspiration for graphic designers and artists of all disciplines. I wholeheartedly recommend it, especially at such an excellent price for a relatively large, hard cover book.


1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Great!, 2008-06-07
I bought this book as a gift for someone else, but after seeing it in person I'm thinking of buying it for myself! It is a beautiful book!


1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Very cool, 2008-04-22
When relying on a computer all day, this book lets you return to how it all began. Get creative! Draw, doodle, color, cut, create and interpret this into your latest computer-aided design.


2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

A beautiful book, 2008-04-08
This is a fantastic resource filled with great examples of handmade design masterpieces. There are a few sections of illustrations that are already starting to look very dated, but a lot of the featured designs are timeless in their inginuity and beauty.

Whether you are already using hand-made techniques in your work, or you are searching for some inspiration on how you can get a more hands-on tactile feel with your designs in this age of InDesign, Photoshop and stock graphics, this book is great.

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