Description / general overview (they say..):
This design book covers both Photoshop and Illustrator for the intermediate user. Full colour images and numbered instructions make this book a visual learning tool by showing you how to alter images step by step. Content includes in-depth coverage on adjusting patterns and textures and changing text effects. With 48 classic design techniques, this book provides both Macintosh and Windows coverage.

Metcom says.. 
The first thing that hit me about this glossy covered paperback was its size; Design Essentials is about an inch bigger than an A4 page set out in a landscape format and its 122 pages are packed with information in a colourful and easy to read format. The size does however, make it just a little too floppy and somewhat cumbersome to sit (and stay upright) on any ordinary bookshelf. That aside, what. s the book all about?

Firstly, this book is primarily aimed at existing users of 3 major Adobe graphic and photographic editing software packages: Adobe Illustrator 8.0, Photoshop 5.0 and Image Ready 1.0.; although don. t let this factor put you off, it has a lot to offer for users of other packages alike. At the outset the introduction makes it perfectly clear that the book is not intended as a guide as to the usage of these packages, but rather its intention is to provide a quick, how-to recipe book. Although aimed at beginner/intermediate level, the assumption is that the reader will:

a) be using one of the Adobe items mentioned and

b) the reader will already have a working knowledge of the particular package in use.

Although designed with the latest Adobe versions in mind, there. s no reason why this book cannot be used in conjunction with older versions.

The book is laid out in 6 clearly defined and easy to follow subject headings:

Section 1 - Drawing - deals with creating custom borders, various line effects, 3-D elements, shading, perspective shapes and other odd shapes such as: stars, spheres and map symbols.

Section 2 - Painting Covers special image creation techniques such as: Tissue paper mosaics, digital paintings, colour tinted photos, stippling, shadows etc.

Section 3 - Patterns & Texturesillustrates the use of simple and textured patterns, textured 3-D graphics etc.

Section 4 - Text Effects shows you how to create some amazing text effects with everything from embossed, to recessed, to wet paint text, to text on a circle and rounding off with a demonstration on how to create stunning Chrome type.

Section 5 - Special Effects continues in the same as the painting techniques by dazzling you with the creation of simulated film grain, posterized photos, brushstroke masks, reverse shapes etc.

Section 6 - Web Techniques illustrates methods of animating objects on a given path for use in your web page together with the operative use of safe browser colours and finally dealing with large images for use on your web site.

Pros - Well laid out, easy to follow guide, packed with colour images and photos, great as an add-on to compliment the 3 Adobe packages mentioned.

Cons - Oversize of the paperback book, not for the beginner who is unfamiliar with Photoshop, Illustrator or Image Ready.

Available from Computer Manuals on 0121-706-6000. Phone for free booklist, or visit their online bookstore at http://computer-manuals.co.uk