A Must-Read for All Designers: Extra Bold
Extra Bold is a must-read, whether you’re new to graphic design or an experienced practitioner looking to expand your horizons. More than just a list of design principles, it’s an interesting package that combines academic information, anecdotes from the author, and a call to action.
“Extra Bold” is more than your average design book. It has the depth of a textbook and the engaging appeal of a survival guide, comic book, or zine. This approach makes it engaging and accessible to a broad readership. There is something in this book for everyone, no matter how experienced you are or how you have been affected by ableism, racism, or sexism. It has lots of useful tips on finding mentors, addressing the wage gap, and writing your first cover letter.
Diverse Voices and Inclusive Design Views
The book offers a goldmine of knowledge from a wide range of people at different stages of their careers. Through interviews and biographical sketches, it highlights individuals who have experienced sexism, racism, and ableism – people who are often ignored in design discussions. This inclusive lens is at the heart of Extra Bold.
But Extra Bold goes beyond anecdotes and useful advice. It challenges the established design canon by presenting critical writing that rethinks design ideas through the prism of feminism, anti-racism, inclusivity, and non-binary thinking. This book brings new and fresh perspectives to the mainstream design narrative through the diversity of its contributors, including people of different abilities, gender identities, and racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Examples of Improved Story Depth
Complex issues become more relatable and understandable thanks to Jennifer Tobias’ illustrations, which add another dimension of warmth and narrative depth. Adding comedy and humanity to stories and concepts, the hand-drawn images are more than decorative; they are essential.
Developing an Empathetic and Inclusive Design Process
But Extra Bold’s underlying belief that design is for everyone is what makes it truly unique. Co-authored by Ellen Lupton and Jennifer Tobias, the book serves as a roadmap for developing a more empathetic and inclusive design process. From overcoming impostor syndrome and understanding trust equity to fostering a psychologically safe work environment, Extra Bold gives you the tools you need to thrive and make a lasting impact in your industry.
Praised for Changing The Field of Design
This book has been widely praised for its methodology. Reviewers praise its blend of honesty, humor, and forward-thinking advice, emphasizing its importance as a catalyst for change. It’s hailed as enlightening and uplifting, a must-read for anyone in the design industry who hopes to steer and lead with compassion and understanding.
Extra Bold is, in short, a movement toward a more inclusive, compassionate, and human-centered approach to graphic design, not just a book. Whether you’re a professional, a student, or just a design enthusiast, this guide will motivate and prepare you to enter the field of design with courage and originality.
Reviews
Creative Pro highlights the book’s honesty and humor, stating, “Extra Bold isn’t just for feminists or LGBTQ+ designers. It is a must-read for anyone in the design field. With honesty, humor, interviews, and infographics, this ‘field guide’ is a timely resource for navigating and leading a career in design today.”
Technical Communication praises the book’s inclusive nature, noting, “Extra Bold is the feminist, inclusive, anti-racist, non-binary field guide designers have been looking for, and if they haven’t, they should be.”
Choice highlights the book’s impact on social justice, stating, “Lupton et al balance what design history has weighted toward the white male end of the spectrum. Social justice is an important issue, and Extra Bold delves into critical details.”
Cool Hunting appreciates the book’s diverse content, writing, “Extra Bold combines elements of a textbook, a comic book, a zine, and a survival guide. It gives a platform to lesser-heard voices and offers practical insights into the hiring process, mentoring and discrimination in the workplace.”
The Financial Times praises the book’s practical guidance and engaging illustrations, saying, “Extra Bold is ‘part zine, part text, part manifesto. It showcases the work of diverse designers, while Jennifer Tobias’s playful illustrations bring the book to life.”
About the Authors
Ellen Lupton is director of the MFA program in graphic design at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore and curator of modern design at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City. She is the author of numerous books and essays on design, an AIGA Gold Medalist, a public critic, and a frequent lecturer.
Jennifer Tobias is an illustrator and academic. She holds a BFA from Cooper Union, an MLS from Rutgers University, and a PhD in art history from the City University of New York. She has worked as a librarian at Parsons School of Design and the Museum of Modern Art.
Where Can I Buy Extra Bold?
Extra Bold is a 224-page paperback field guide for graphic designers. It is published by Princeton Architectural Press and was released on May 11, 2021. If you find the content and perspectives in Extra Bold interesting, you may want to purchase a copy. Here’s where to get it:
- Want to discover the diverse perspectives and bold designs in Extra Bold? Buy your copy on Amazon, where the book’s many stories and visual explorations await.
- Curious about how Extra Bold presents a multifaceted view of gender, identity, and design? Get it from Abebooks and dive into this compelling compilation that will challenge and inspire.
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