The Cheese Monkeys

The fact that today’s world is run entirely by technology is making the need for good graphic designers ever more pressing. It seems like everyone knows how to mess around with some sort of design program like Photoshop. No one really thinks about how people used to do it in back in the 50’s before the age of computers made it easily accessible. This is exactly what notable book designer Chip Kidd decided to show in his 2001 novel, “The Cheese Monkeys”.

The book takes place in a Midwestern University and follows a young student through his first year of Art School. Readers follow him as he tries to cope with his instructor’s demands for high quality design.

The way the book is narrated creates an aura that tows the line between drama and comedy while moving the story along in a way that just kind of flows. Its not just the story that’s interesting but he also teaches important lessons about graphic design throughout such as how to make people to notice design or how to make things more important than others.

Overall the book was highly enjoyable and every aspiring designer should be required to read it. It gives great insight into the profession while telling a highly entertaining story