December 9, 2024 8:56 PM
Jeesh, it’s been ten years since my last gift guide and I’m getting it out a little late this year, but some of the same items are still here on the list, mainly the classic tools and books that never become obsolete, (like a lot of software programs do).
I don’t receive any money from these recommendations. These are books and tools that I own and use often.
FastCap Flat Back Tape – You can not only measure round or curved surfaces but it has a blank area to write on for use as a story pole. – $10.00
Keson Pocket Rod – These are so essential for site surveys that I have four of them. They come in Architect and Engineer models. – $20.00
6″ Digital Calipers – Like these, there are many manufactures. (Avoid any priced under $20.00.) – Must-have tool for doing photo scaling (see article) – about $24.00
Equal Space Dividers – great for not only photo scaling but for designing in general. They run the gamut in price from these to these. $220 to $24.00
True Angle – Multi-use tool for measuring and transferring angles. lightweight. – 12″ -$16.00
Angle Template Tool – Various manufacturers – around 18.00
ChromaLabel Adhesive Measuring Tape – Great for when you don’t have time to measure everything and have to rely on photos of surveys – $16.00
GraphGear 1000 – Mechanical pencils, my new favorite brand. These are great because the barrel sleeve retracts into the pencil to protect it. Comes in .3, .4, .5, .7, and .9mm leads. About $9.00
Compass – So many to choose from, (and a lot of crappy ones are in the mix). This one is a good all-around basic, practical compass that will last a while. $14.00
Still my favorite design and furniture book publisher. Here are my recommendations:
By Hand & Eye – $51.00. Another gem from Lost Art Press, this is probably one of the best design books written in the last 100 years. It outlines the world of design without a rule and using only dividers and proportional methods. I covered this in a previous post and always recommend it. Buy this and a good pair of second hand dividers from Ebay and you will completely change the way you think about design.
By Hound & Eye – $31.00. A companion workbook to By Hand & Eye.
Principles Of Design – $41.00
The Anarchist Design Book – $54.00
Other Books
Historic Millwork – Brent Hull
A Field Guide To American Houses – Virginia Savage McAlester
Stair Builders Handbook – T.W. Love
Backstage Handbook – Paul Carter
American Cinematographers Manual – ASC Press
The VES Handbook of Visual Effects – VES Society
Designer Drafting For The Entertainment World – Patricia Woodbridge
The Classical Orders Of Architecture – Robert Chitham
Illustrated Cabinet Making – Bill Hylton
Styles Of Ornament – Alexander Speltz
McKay’s Building Construction – W.B. McKay
Neufert – Architects’ Data – Granada Publishing
Geometry Of Design – Kimberly Elam
When you realize you’ve really screwed up and forgotten someone and have no time to run to the store, much less order anything, you can always gift a good app.
Log onto the Apple or Android store and gift your so-important-you-forgot-about-them friend one of these apps and your reputation will be saved:
I own and can recommend all these apps.
BuildCalc – construction calculator – $24.99
Photo Measures – saving and sharing measurements – $6.99
MagiScan – Turns your phone into a 3D scanner (pay per use) ( I have used this a lot)
CamToPlan Pro – Uses AR to turn scans into measured drawings – $39.95
Theodolite – Just like a real theodolite but for your phone (fantastic) – $8.99*
Pocket Laser Level – Laser level for smart phones – free
Artemis Pro – professional director’s finder (Most used digital directors finder) – $29.99
Helios Pro – Sun and Moon calculator (fantastic) – $17.99
pCAM – camera info calculator – $29.99 *
Lens Lab – Depth of field app, shows you a visual representation – $1.99*
Sun Surveyor – sun and moon calculator – $9.99
I.D. Wood – samples and data for 200 kinds of wood – $9.99
LensKit – lens technical data – in-app purchases – subscription *
* iOS versions only
I have to get a plug in for our own classes at Wrand.
All the classes are 30% off until December 25.
Posted by rdwilkins
Categories: Art Department, Books, Classes, design, gifts, Methods Of Work, Reference, Tools
Tags: art, Books, design, design classes, drawing, film design classes, gift-ideas, gifts, Lost Art Press, phone apps, reference, set design, tools, visual reference
Mobile Site | Full Site
Get a free blog at WordPress.com Theme: WordPress Mobile Edition by Alex King.