Took a quick snapshot of the books I’ve got on my desk.

Surprisingly, it gave me an insight into what I’ve been dwelling on recently… one of which is going back to basics and reading all the stuff that is written for beginners.

Reading back to basics type books is really insightful. When you read more advanced tutorials, or listen to the pros talking at conferences, they always come back to basics. And if they don’t, they come across a bit… waffly.

Ironically, the book that I thought would really take you back to basics: the copywriting book by Mark Shaw (there’s a section on digital media and how to write copy for it) is a bit… waffly. If he only applied the rules in that section to the whole book he’s written, it would make it a much easier read. It’s too long and in some bits reads like a stream of consciousness – to the extent it can seem a bit … waffly.

Looking at my other books did make me realise as well that comics are soooo underrated.

Every designer should read comics – what’s not to like: illustration, design, story, structure, presentation, user centered/ attention grabbing, sign-posting, hand holding, typography, layout, creativity, originality and innovation.

It’s what scamps are based on. Albeit better illustrated.

Brill.