Dream Worlds: Production Design for Animation

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review




Essential for anyone into animation production design, November 28, 2008
By Parka (Singapore)
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1FVLNK3AHJ9MP This book is an invaluable resource for any production designer. It talks about how to go about setting the style and look for animation.

This is a very practical book. While it talks on the production design process, it provides tons of examples from Disney's archive to support design concepts. There are many useful lessons, such as film analysis, visual development and research, camera rules, composition, staging and others.

There are also dedicated chapters to films where Hans Bacher talks specifically on how production design was done.

I bought this book primarily for the art but I've realised that there's more to all the art displayed. Many of the storyboards, while lacking details are visually strong because of the composition.

Every example included in the book serves to emphasis design concepts. The clear and simple explanation provides another perspective into looking at storyboards, into understanding what the scene means and how it contributes to the story.

This book is well worth the money, actually not just to production designers, but for every artist. The lessons taught are universal and can be applied in different fields if it's related to art.

Let me end with a quote from Andrea Deja, the Supervising Animator of Walt Disney Studios:

When it comes to color, composition and design, Hans is in a class by himself. Look through the pages of Dream Worlds and be inspired by Han's high standards and his art. It is a feast for the eyes.



Here's the list of chapters:

* Film Analysis
* Beauty and the Beast
* Visual Development and Research
* Aladdin
* Inspiration
* Camera Rules
* The Lion King
* Composition
* Hercules
* Staging and Formats
* Mulan
* Rhythm and Style Variety
* Lilo and Stitch
* Value and Color
* Brother Bear
* Unfinished Disney Projects
* Own Projects
* The Masters -- Bambi

There are more pictures of the book on my blog. Just visit my Amazon profile for the link.



Student, October 6, 2008
By R. Carty (Bay Area, CA USA)
As a student of animation and illustration Dream Worlds is a must have. The book is full of useful information about compostition, color, and lighting as well as fun anecdotes about the author's experience working in the Disney company.



A fantastic book, September 6, 2008
By Gnomeo (Sofia, Bulgaria)
Some very rare production designs that could be only described as jaw-dropping!

But beware - a large part of the book is dedicated to Mr Bacher's teaching on crafting good production design and there are plenty of illustrations that doesn't have anything to do with actual animated films.



Preproduction for Animation, July 22, 2008
By Kelly Hobby (Burbank, CA United States)
This is a great book for any art student wanting to get into preproduction for film or animation. This is the bar, industry standard. I found it to be very helpful in sharping my own portfolio.



Brilliant! As insightful as a book gets, yet a work of art., June 17, 2008
By DK (Between Austin & LA)
Hans Bacher has created a wonderful, insightful and beautiful book, which is a work of art in its own right. Yet, it IS an instructional book on the process of Production Design for animation. Whether you are a student of animation, a film aficionado, or a working industry professional, you will find something new to think about and much to appreciate on every page.

The images are clear, and both appropriately chosen to illustrate Mr. Bacher's points and serve as coffee table worthy art. His precise and yet easy way of presenting the subject of Production Design is a fast read, while remaining, educational, interesting, and enjoyable all the way through. Well worth the investment.