Interpretation by Design: Graphic Design Basics for Heritage Interpreters

by Paul Caputo, Shea Lewis, Lisa Brochu

Interpreters use exhibits, brochures, signs, websites, site publications, and other visual media to tell their stories. Written for interpreters who have little or no training in graphic design but find themselves responsible for creating or overseeing the production of nonpersonal media, Interpretation by Design focuses on using basic principles of both graphic design and interpretation in nonpersonal media. This book addresses how to make decisions about type, color, and composition, as well as why an interpretive approach may be more effective for communicating with your audience.

128 pages, Paperback

First published October 16, 2008

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

After being thrown into a job that involved a fair bit of publication design (and me with no design experience at all) this book became a breath of fresh air to help me stay afloat. My only wish is that I had discovered it much sooner. This book is an excellent resource for "non-designers" who are put in a position to design content for education, outreach and interpretation. It provides the basics to help you get started with out bogging you down with extraneous details. This book also includes much in the way of practical advice, such as how to hire or work with designers and other books and resources that can help you further your design knowledge.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good basic book about design. It lays out most of the principles to give you good guidelines (that I just will turn around and break). Particularly good for me who does graphic design at work and has no experience in it! Love the resource list in the back of the book. It very much follows the National Association for Interpretation template for developing thematic programs/exhibits - but it's one that I like! I wish there were more even more examples in the book of good graphic design in interpretive settings.