Digital Foundations: Introduction to Media Design with the Adobe Creative Cloud, Revised Edition

Reviewed by Moe Folk, Professor, Kuztown University on 5/14/19

While the book covers a great deal and includes some good post-chapter key words, it should include an index with important design words and also sections based on particular applications (e.g., Photoshop, then some of the main things someone... read more

Reviewed by Moe Folk, Professor, Kuztown University on 5/14/19

Comprehensiveness     rating: 3    see less

While the book covers a great deal and includes some good post-chapter key words, it should include an index with important design words and also sections based on particular applications (e.g., Photoshop, then some of the main things someone might do with it). Also, if the title remains media design, it seems like that would warrant more moving images, which it doesn't cover in as great as detail. I would recommend removing the word from the title.

Accuracy     rating: 5

Very clear throughout.

Relevance/Longevity     rating: 4

It's always hard to pick relevant design example,s but they chose timeless bauhaus ones and also show a penchant for good current designs that will age well.

Clarity     rating: 5

Very well written and accessible, especially considering all the jargon associated with learning software.

Consistency     rating: 4

Some places use bold for steps to follow while others don't. I'd recommend using the bold format.

Modularity     rating: 5

Very well done. And the associated exercise files help as well.

Organization/Structure/Flow     rating: 5

It takes a beginner logically through the process, from finding material and editing/designing it to exporting it for users.

Interface     rating: 4

Some of the images could be clearer (e.g., p. 16 and p. 49).

Grammatical Errors     rating: 4

Very solid for the most part. Unless within double quotation marks, single quotation marks should not be used (ala p. 21). Some inconsistencies also exist in putting the period inside ending double quotation marks (it should be inside).

Cultural Relevance     rating: 5

They do an excellent job broadening the representative scope from the base of Bauhaus images

Comments

While it says up front it will use Mac commands and provides a "translation" for PC users, the book nonetheless uses features exclusive to the Mac (such as the finder feature, folder naming, etc.) that do not necessarily translate as easy for PC users not familiar with Mac functionality, so some extra help might be needed if used in a class with a dedicated PC lab. The book is very helpful and provides a very accessible way for students to practice and master a wide variety of design within various Creative Cloud elements.