Never Use White Type on a Black Background: And 50 Other Ridiculous Design Rules

Description

The world of fashion and design is inundated with a seemingly endless list of rules. Think of "Less is More," "Form Follows Function," "Keep it Simple," "Dress Your Age," and the list goes on and on. They're familiar sayings that some designers consider to be valuable words of wisdom, which serve as a guiding line and source of inspiration. To others, these rules are mere restrictions: design dogmas and fashion formulae that need to be bended, twisted or broken altogether. Rules tend to have a life of their own: over time their meaning changes or the rule is adopted by a whole new group of followers. Take, for instance, the classic "Form Follows Function." It started out life as an architecture guideline but has crept its way into other creative fields. This evolution is reflected in this book by the chronologically placed quotes that accompany each rule and that are courtesy of designers, architects, fashion designers, typographers and other creatives.

Anneloes van Gaalen is a writer, enterpreneur and all-round creative. After receiving her MA and MPhil in English, American Studies and Cultural Analysis, Anneloes van Gaalen started writing for a wide variety of international publications including Wired Magazine, Dazed & Confused, ID Magazine and Surface. She also worked as editor-in-chief of LE COOL magazine Amsterdam. These days she writes for Amsterdam-based newspaper Het Parool. Anneloes van Gaalen has written several books on (street) art, design, fashion, advertising, branding, new media and travel. She wrote and edited the popular Ridiculous Rules books and Indie Brands.

Never Use White Type on a Black Background must be one of the most fun and quirky books one can read about rules in the world of fashion and design...beautifully laid out with an interesting and quirky visual language interpreting some of the design rules in the book. The size is nifty and small, like a little black book. Great for a laugh and to challenge your thinking and pre-conceptions as a designer.--Design Indaba Magazine Never Use White Type on a Black Background must be one of the most fun and quirky books one can read about rules in the world of fashion and design...beautifully laid out with an interesting and quirky visual language interpreting some of the design rules in the book. The size is nifty and small, like a little black book. Great for a laugh and to challenge your thinking and pre-conceptions as a designer.--Design Indaba Magazine