LAst night I sat down with Mastering Layout by Mike Stevens, it had been a long while, and what a refreshing walk down memory lane. I found myself remembering things forgotten, getting the passion back to do my best everytime even in a knock out job and just a great renewed interest in designing.
Wow talk about a recharge, this is definetly a book that is better read more than once or twice, to me this is a book I need to revisit with from time to time.
It's good to recharge the batteries!
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
Sometimes I like to listen to one of Mike's tapes to hear his voice again.
Posted by Kathy Joiner (Member # 1814) on :
Bob, what a coincidence, I had coffee with the book this morning. I learn each time I pick it up. In my case I think my right brain comprehends what he is teaching only after I have actually made a particular mistake on a sign. Then I can recognize it and say "Oh so that is why this didn't work."
This morning I read chapter 8 "Color". I love bold colors. My favorite has always been orange. I have decided to consciously tone it down and work with color as he teaches. I thought about some signs that I have done when I read about "brain overload". Yep that's me and I do it so well Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
You will learn something new every time you read it. And it takes awhile just to get used to the language. Like Rick, I like to put in one of his old cassette tapes and just listen to the voice, or watch him do that effortless lettering on his video. He was truely one of a kind.
Wonder what he would think of the state of the industry today?
Posted by Cam Bortz (Member # 55) on :
We all seem to be thinking about that question this morning, Raymond. I'm looking at a layout that was e-mailed to me earlier this morning, by a so-called "professional" designer. It speaks, unspeakably, for itself.
Not having had the priveledge of meeting the late Mr. Stevens, I can't begin to imagine what he'd say. Because of his book, however, I CAN diagnose and critique the design I have before me, and explain to a customer - in specific terms - why it doesn't work.
As for the state of the industry, well... for those who spend their days competing to reproduce this kind of dreck for the lowest price, it can't be good.
Posted by Charles Borges de Oliveir (Member # 3770) on :
Hello,
Does anyone know why the Mike Stevens video on Brush Lettering is not commercially available? I'm sure thousands of people would love to buy it, and I'm sure it would help benefit his daughter. Just wondering...
Merry Christmas.
Chuck
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
Chuck - I'll have to check back on my copy of the video to see who actually distributed it. In my old age I can't remember. Mike may have handled it himself. I would suppose the rights to republish would have to go through his daughter.
It was an expensive video, so I don't really know how many he ever sold.
I am really grateful for the information he left us. It is what I use in my workshops...and I do give credit to him for the original ideas.
Cam, maybe it was good that he didn't live to see the advancement of the quickie shops. Of course, he lived at a time when junk produced by a brush was everywhere.
Chester Cunningham and Mike Stevens. It would be nice to talk to them again.
Posted by Monte Jumper (Member # 1106) on :
Such an incredible legacy Mike Stevens left...
Can you imagine what a pleasure it would be if his book and tapes were made an integral part of study if you were an architect or "graphic designer"?
What a happier life we would all live.
But then again...I like knowing I can do it better than they...all because someone like Mike had the foresite to leave it all in the written word.
I look back thru it from time to time and always come back refreshed and in tune.
Thank you Mike...my what it must be like to recognized so long after your'e gone.
A life taken way too early!
Posted by Harris Kohen (Member # 2139) on :
Raymond if ya get that info it would be great to see it posted here. I might be interested in it too as well as many other people here I would bet.
Posted by Bob Rochon (Member # 30) on :
I have a video of Mike in poor quality that my mentor gave to me when I was just starting out, havent looked at it in years, hmmm maybe its time to dust it off.
Posted by kc (Member # 650) on :
I was fortunate enough to take a seminar with Mike and John Cox at an a Letterheads meet (what ever happened to John Cox?). Mike put labels and names on layout concepts for me and organized them to more easily deal with each layout challenge. Stuff I was trying to do instinctively, by the seat of my pants, suddenly had rhyme and reason. He made me a much better signmaker during those two hours.
I still have their handouts from that seminar around here somewhere.
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
Monte, I remember sharing "The Book" with some graphic designers back when it came out. It was not well received, and generated some dicension that took years to end. They were very offended by him insinuating that there could be a "wrong" in design. Just like people react when you say a certain behavior is wrong, they got very defensive. I think pride and arrogance cause a blindness that is very limiting. As for me...I'd rather learn.
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