I keep seeing this other eBook on eBay, is it any good?
I received an email a few days ago from a potential eBay buyer in GA. The designer asked me why she should buy the Being a Starving Artist Sucks book over another one being offered for $1 called, Graphics Designer 101: Learn The Basics To Becoming A Graphics Designer!

I’ve seen this book pop up on a number of web sites, so for a dollar investment I figured I’d check out the 29 page eBook and see if it might disprove the old saying, “You always get what you paid for.”

My intent in writing this review is to provide visitors with as honest bit of information as I can provide - of course I am going to be biased to the books I've written, but the bottom line is I am not going to sell any more books or create any lasting relationships with people by lying to them. I've tried to be as objective as possible in this review and I found this book to as valuable as how much the writer chose to sell it for - about $1. If you've bought the book and feel my observations we're incorrect please email me, I'd like to hear what you think. I have a feeling you'll agree with me though. You'll be able to read my thoughts below - decide for yourself.

Table of Contents
Chapter 1 The Role of the Graphics Designer
Chapter 2 Qualifications in Order to Become a Graphics Designer
Chapter 3 Is a Graphics Design Degree Essential?
Chapter 4 The Types of Graphic Design Programs Available
Chapter 5 How to Choose the Right Graphics Design Educational Facility

Who is this book good for?
High school juniors and seniors that want to learn about graphic design that don’t have access to a designer friend or mentor, a guidance counselor, a library card or access to the Internet.

Bottom Line:
In muddling through this book I couldn’t help feeling that I was reading a book report written by a student. The language in the book was uninspired and unemotional - almost like the author was forced to write this.

The author primary focuses on theory, choosing to explain things in generalities rather than how or why. Here’s an example straight out of the book, “When developing a design for their clients, a graphics designer will look at several different factors in order to plan and execute their design at their target audience. The factors that they will take into consideration in order to achieve this include the following: Cognitive, Cultural, Physical, Social.”

I am not sure what that means, and furthermore I am not sure what I should do now that I know it - do you? I’ll be honest, didn’t get through more than 1/4 of the book before I put it down, with no images, illustrations, side bars or anecdotes, I just couldn't get through it.

Click here to view a sample page.

You can find it for $1 on eBay.
Is the book worth $1? For the right person maybe, but I don’t think anyone should ever pay $2 for it.