By Miguel Angel Pérez Arteaga
304 pages, hardcover, €27.55
Published by Hoaki
hoaki.com

Author Miguel Angel Pérez Arteaga’s collection of the work and creative strategies of 26 international designers celebrates design in an especially helpful way for new designers and readers with an interest in graphic design and creativity. The compilation includes several designers as stars in addition to a group of emerging designers. Representing fifteen nations, these profiled individuals represent a variety of backgrounds, approaches, perspectives, skills and professional expertise. Projects range from expressive, intuitive and experimental examples to those that are eloquent, logical and intentional. The expressive realm is particularly well represented.

Despite this diversity, the reader will notice there are several themes throughout the book that transcend training, expertise or nationality. These themes include the expectation to work hard, the need to listen and seek feedback, the importance of taking breaks to refresh and explore, the benefits of collaboration, and the value of play and experimentation. Also of interest is that several of the designers mention the same sources of inspiration.

Passion for design is evident throughout the book, which is inviting, inspiring, insightful and informative. The designers are listed alphabetically, and each has a series of pages of text and images to explore. A thread of quotes in bold serif type creates a secondary narrative that ads dimension to the reading experience. A future consideration would be larger images and fewer images per page. The fundamental motifs of How Ideas are Born: Graphic Designers on Creative Processes are individualism, intensity and inclusivity. —Lorrie Frear