Practical Drafting and Practical Graphic Design use the same method of instruction as the Complete-A-Sketch™ series -- learning by observing, reasoning and doing. All the lessons may be accomplished by hand and on the computer and both books are designed for age 12 and older. Practical Drafting (136 pages) and Practical Graphic Design (153 pages) are spiral bound books.

Practical Drafting
$38.00 $32.00 each, Qty
Drafting is the language of engineering and in the engineering field it is imperative that all participants -- drafters, designers, engineers, machinists, electricians, and builders -- understand this language. Practical Drafting is comprised of hundreds of exercises and reference materials all in a brief, easy to read, self-teaching, self-paced book. The author, Melvin G. Peterman, strongly encourages the student to do the lessons using manual drafting before completing the lessons on the computer. 136 pages and spiral bound. Ages 12 and older.

Practical Graphic Design
$38.00 $32.00 each, Qty
Topics include design rules, page layout, dominance, repetition, rhythm, unity, contrast, gradation, and balance. There are design projects, questions, answers and the Graphic Design Police. The lessons are enjoyable, and it is obvious the authors have fun teaching the lessons. 153 pages and spiral bound. Ages 12 and older.

About the Author
The author, Melvin G. Peterman, is proficient in manual and computer drafting, with years of architecture, piping, electrical and machinery drafting and design experience. He initially created the lessons in Complete-A-Sketch and Practical Drafting to introduce the technical side of art to his homeschooled children, primarily because he had noticed over the span of his career that the people with no manual drafting experience lack a certain depth of understanding. The computer has taken away some of the feel and style that comes with manual drafting. Complete-A-Sketch is Mel's attempt to bring back the "art" in technical drawing.

Comments
"Today, most mechanical engineers or graphic artist use the computer for much of their work. However, I have heard from a number of business owners who look for employees with a background in drawing or manual drafting. An owner of a sheet metal contracting company stated that he has learned to hire engineers who have drawing experience. He doesn't hire them to manually create a draft of their work -- they are proficient with the computer. The reason he chooses to employ the people with drawing experience is he has found that they tend to see the "big picture" and that he can rely on them to efficiently complete their projects. Complete-A-Sketch is intriguing to children. In this age of electronic gadgets, it may be just the thing to help a child put a pencil to paper and draw. We applaud Mel for his convictions and dedication to teaching technical drawing skills."
-- Kim Stitzer, Coauthor, Draw Write Now