ARTMOCO REVIEW

"Never Use White Type on a Black Background: And 50 Other Ridiculous Design Rules by Anneloes van Gaalen is a very tidy little volume that questions the validity of fifty so-called rules pertaining to the world of design.

Through the use of countless quotes, great graphics and a liberal dose of humour, the areas of fashion, product and graphic design, photography and lifestyle are examined with a grain of salt. This is a fun book for designers, rule makers and breakers, or anyone with opinions."
Art MoCo review

INTERVIEW + REVIEW AFRICA'S LEADING DESIGN MAGAZINE

DESIGN> magazine, Africa’s leading multidisciplinary design magazine, published an article with Anneloes van Gaalen, as well as a great review.

"DESIGN> asked van Gaalen why this book is intended to be more than mere fun. Her response: 'The aim was not to list all the rules that a designer needs to adhere to. Nor did I take sides in the whole rules debate. Design is in many ways a universal language. Of course a designer or even consumer brings his or her own cultural baggage to the table, but there are rules and adages that can and will transcend all that. I firmly believe that you need to know your classics.' She ironically quotes an old saying: 'You need to know the rules before you can you can break them.'

Curated Mag summarizes the book's content and intentions quite accurately in its review: 'You’ve probably heard these design adages on several occasions (0r many more). You may even know the history behind them. Even if you do, Anneloes van Gaalen might teach you something. Or, just make you laugh.'

With this book, van Gaalen also challenges a few other rules that are not included in the text such as 'book titles should be short and catchy,' 'books that are intended to inform and educate cannot be written in a style that is cheeky and flavored with irony,' and ultimately, 'Guard against stereotyping! No serious writer on design should call his or her company Paperdoll if they are intelligent, talented, blond and vivacious.' Considering the latter statement, van Gaalen walks the talk and slaughters a few other myths known to the design profession."

WALLPAPER REVIEW

The style bible that is Wallpaper Magazine carried a review of the book on their website...

"The subtitle of this neat little book from Bis Publishers is '… and 50 other ridiculous design rules,' which should give you some idea of the tone. A gentle poke at the strictures and regulations that still echo around the more reactionary studios and ateliers.

Produced by author Anneloes van Gaalen and creative consultancy Lemon Scented Tea, this handy aphorism debunker should help every aspiring creative and client cut through the clichés. Is 'the client always right?' And should you use 'cleavage or legs, never both'?

The book doesn't profess to have any answers, but at least it will steel you for the inevitable clash come presentation time."

See inside this little book designed to help aspiring creatives cut through the clichés

REVIEWS RIDICULOUS DESIGNBOOK

We're working hard on two new editions to the Ridiculous Design Rules series. Never Leave the House Naked (on Ridiculous Fashion Rules) and The Medium is the Message (on Ridiculous Advertising Rules) will come out later this year.

Meanwhile, press and public alike are still raving about the first book Never Use White Type on a Black Background: and 50 other Ridiculous Design Rules. We've uploaded a few of the reviews, there are more, but they still need to be scanned.

http://issuu.com/paperdollwriting

ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER RAVE REVIEW