You know it's outside the "scene design" genre it's more a stagecraft
book, but "the Backstage Handbook" is a fantastic resource and an incredible gift for people in the Biz.
I consider the Backstage Handbook as more a dictionary and Scenery for the Theater more the encyclopedia of
stage craft. Neither are for design persay but one heck of a help in defining what you want.
Personally, I didn't get much out of Jones, found it boring and dry. Not inspriring like Craig or Neiher.
Have them do a used books search and find stuff by the latter two designers if you want real inspiration. Ok, perhaps Appia but most of his stuff is in a foreign language plus lighting centric which does relate but not so much.
Indigo Jones as a furniture designer and architect was also a really cool designer, this much less most architects of the renassuance and single
point perspective such as pernisi (sp) also did set design. Books on architecture such as the seven lamps of architecture, perhaps books on interior design or even painting, or just plain art history books such as a
book of all the paintings at the MET, or perhaps centered around some style of painting or history books with photos from your local history historical
book with photos to something like a
book about the
grid layout of Washington. It all teaches and inspires beyond either the you do this and this and you get it, or you are doing this and this thus you are here in design type design books so far.
One if nothing else can never have enough interior design, art, furniture, architecture, old catalogs, scenery construction and
etc and
etc books to look at and
gain ideas from. Mostly just picture books.
If someone in your family is broke, have them collect up for you a bunch of photos and or pictures from magizines and newspapers. Such a scrap
book where the
image presented might give you an idea will later become invaluable. This as opposed to some perhaps 1932 classic
book on the subject of the day which will still have valid ideas in some ways, and beyond this fascinate you in how it was done back than. Love old books also in addition to just about any Dover
book or
book on the subject.
Just print on Santa's list, "Dover
Book" and you are about all set also. Ever so useful such books to the designer.