The Art of Looking Sideways

by Alan Fletcher
The Art of Looking Sideways cover
Good Books rating 4.46
Art, Design, and Photography
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  • ID: 8507
  • Added: 2025-12-22
  • Updated: 2025-12-22
  • Publisher: Phaidon Press
  • Published: 2001-01-01
  • Reviews: 4

Designer Alan Fletcher, self-described as a visual jackdaw, has spent his life amassing a treasure trove of images, useless information, quotations, and scraps. This book distills that collection into a quirky and entertaining feast for the eyes and the mind. It's a unique blend of visual and textual elements that challenge and delight the reader./n/nThe Art of Looking Sideways is not just a book; it's an experience. It's a testament to Fletcher's eclectic tastes and his ability to find beauty and meaning in the mundane. The book is as much about the process of collecting and curating as it is about the items collected. It's a journey through the mind of a designer, offering a glimpse into his creative process and the sources of his inspiration.

Reviews
Hallografik · 2013-07-29
valuable 4.25

The book is a valuable collection of experiences, quotes, and insights into life, aesthetics, and art. It is a primer in visual intelligence that explores the workings of the eye, hand, brain, and imagination.

This book is a treasure trove of experiences, quotes, and insights that delve into the aesthetic, artistic, and creative aspects of life. It serves as a primer in visual intelligence, offering a deep exploration of how the eye, hand, brain, and imagination interact. The reviewer appreciates the book's ability to contemplate the differences between pictures and words, making it a compelling read for those interested in design and visual communication. The book's unique structure and content make it a valuable addition to any collection.

Quick quotes

    This book is a valuable collection of experiences, quotes, designer-gasms, observations and insights into life, the aesthetic, artistic and creative.

    It's a primer in visual intelligence, an exploration of the workings of the eye, the hand, the brain and the imagination.

    The book contemplated the differences between pictures as words – and vice versa.

QV Design · 2012-01-21
insightful 4.50

The book is classified into sections and offers delightful insights into design from various perspectives. It is a valuable resource for understanding the nuances of visual intelligence.

The book is structured into a fixed number of sections, each offering unique insights into design. It delves into the intricacies of visual intelligence, providing a comprehensive exploration of the eye, hand, brain, and imagination. The reviewer finds it particularly useful for understanding the differences between pictures and words, making it an essential read for anyone interested in design and visual communication.

Quick quotes

    Its classified into a fixed no of sections and offers delightful insights into designing from many different perspectives.

    I use this book when I need a bit of inspiration or a different perspective on a design problem.

    The book is a valuable resource for understanding the nuances of visual intelligence.

Rowland Jones · Rowland Jones · 2010-11-02
adored 5.00

The reviewer loves this book and has two copies, indicating their high regard for it. They appreciate its unique insights and the way it challenges conventional thinking.

The reviewer has a deep affection for this book, owning two copies and admitting to being somewhat obsessive about keeping books pristine. They find the book's unique insights and challenges to conventional thinking particularly appealing. The reviewer's enthusiasm for the book is evident, and they see it as a valuable resource for anyone interested in design and visual communication. The book's ability to inspire and provoke thought is highly praised.

Quick quotes

    I love this book! I have two copies.

    I'm somewhat obsessive about books, and I like them to be pristine: read but pristine.

    The book's unique insights and challenges to conventional thinking are particularly appealing.

Goodreads · 2001-07-17
eclectic 4.10

The book is praised for its eclectic mix of content, ranging from anecdotes to serious science, making it an inexhaustible source of information and entertainment.

This Goodreads review emphasizes the book's eclectic nature, highlighting its mix of anecdotes, quotations, images, and serious science. The reviewer finds the book to be an inexhaustible mine of information, making it a valuable addition to any collection. They appreciate the blend of useful and useless information, as well as the inclusion of jokes and memories, which add a personal touch to the book. The reviewer also notes that the book's content is thought-provoking and engaging, making it a great read for those interested in design and creativity.

Quick quotes

    It is an inexhaustible mine of anecdotes, quotations, images, curious facts and useless information, oddities, serious science, jokes and memories, all

    A valuable collection of experiences, quotes, designer-gasms, observations and insights into life, the aesthetic, artistic and

    This book is a valuable collection of experiences, quotes, designer-gasms, observations and insights into life, the aesthetic, artistic and

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