Core77 book review: Exposing the Magic of Design, by Jon Kolko
Robert Blinn reviewed Jon Kolko’s new book Exposing the Magic of Design (amazon) for Core77:
“Kolko’s book is subtitled “A Practitioner’s Guide to the Methods and Theory of Synthesis,” and this reviewer joked that it sounded like an undergraduate film or semiotics course. Kolko himself states that “the ability to ‘be playful’ is critical to achieve deep and meaningful synthesis,” but the tenor of the tome is far from the giant grin the author wears while using carrots as a “phone” on the cover of his previous work. Exposing the Magic of Design is blunt, direct, serious and self-assured. At less than 200 pages and full of diagrams, processes and methods, Kolko certainly didn’t have time for any hand-holding. In this era of easy distraction, Exposing the Magic‘s interaction design requires complete attention. Perhaps that’s the way the author meant it.”
I strongly concur with the reviewer and recommend this book for all UX practitioners.
Disclosure: Some months back I was asked by Oxford University Press to read the manuscript and write a few sentences to use on the book’s jacket and in marketing copy. I have no idea whether my few lines have been published.
