Modern-day cryptic symbols and mysterious codes are no longer just the tools of secret societies and spies; skilled graphic designers use them constantly, creating new visual languages for branding, logotypes, and company identities. Symbols in Graphic Design is your own illustrated codebook to these logos, glyphs, and other motifs. This exhaustive resource lays out basic symbols, their meanings, and their histories before delving into a collection of modern projects ranging from restaurant and clothing identities to personal brands, promotional materials, and even city branding projects.
Understand the Significance of Symbols in Your Design Work Our world is comprised of a handful of very simple patterns that have been a part of human design since the beginning of time and have eternal significance. Decoding Design reveals how common symbols and shapes - like circles, squares and triangles - resonate at a gut level and can lend greater meaning to a design. By deconstructing famous logos and other sample designs, you'll learn how to communicate complex information quickly and intuitively with universal and meaningful patterns. You'll also uncover how other disciplines, such as philosophy, math, and physics, influence great design and can help you present ideas in a holistic and compelling manner. Whether you're a designer, student, or marketing professional, Decoding Design will show you the deeper meaning behind the symbols you encounter everyday, and how to better use those symbols to create an impactful relationship with the viewer.
The first-ever illustrated history of the iconic designs, symbols, and graphic art representing more than 5 decades of LGBTQ pride and activism. Beginning with pre-liberation and the years before the Stonewall uprising, spanning across the 1970s and 1980s and through to the new millennium, Queer X Design celebrates the inventive and subversive designs that have powered the resilient and ever-evolving LGBTQ movement. The diversity and inclusivity of these pages is as inspiring as it is important, both in terms of the objects represented as well as in the array of creators; from buttons worn to protest Anita Bryant, to the original 'The Future is Female' and 'Lavender Menace' t-shirt; from the logos of Pleasure Chest and GLAAD, to the poster for Cheryl Dunye's queer classic The Watermelon Woman; from Gilbert Baker's iconic rainbow flag, to the quite laments of the AIDS quilt and the impassioned rage conveyed in ACT-UP and Gran Fury ephemera. More than just an accessible history book, Queer X Design tells the story of queerness as something intangible, uplifting, and indestructible. Found among these pages is sorrow, loss, and struggle; an affective selection that queer designers and artists harnessed to bring about political and societal change. But here is also: joy, hope, love, and the enduring fight for free expression and representation. Queer X Design is the potent, inspiring, and colorful visual history of activism and pride.
"A ready reference aid and an inspiration to designers . All in all the best book now available on symbols." --Library Journal This unparalleled reference represents a major achievement in the field of graphic design. Famed industrial designer Henry Dreyfuss recognized the importance of symbols in communicating more quickly and effectively; for many years he and his staff collected and codified graphic symbols as they are used in all walks of life throughout the world. The result is this "dictionary" of universally used graphic symbols. Henry Dreyfuss designed this sourcebook to be as practical and easy to use as possible by arranging the symbol information within ingeniously devised sections: Basic Symbols represents a concise and highly selective grouping of symbols common to all disciplines (on-off, up-down, etc.). Disciplines provides symbols used in accommodations and travel, agriculture, architecture, business, communications, engineering, photography, sports, safety, traffic controls, and many other areas. Color lists the meanings of each of the colors in various worldwide applications and cultures. Graphic Form displays symbols from all disciplines grouped according to form (squares, circles, arrows, human figures, etc.) creating a unique way to identify a symbol out of context, as well as giving designers a frame of reference for developing new symbols. To make the sourcebook truly universal, the Table of Contents contains translations of each of the section titles and discipline areas into 17 languages in addition to English.
Symbols play an integral role in branding programs. This book explores the visual language of symbols according to their most basic element: form. Over 1,300 symbols from all over the world are here categorized by visual type, divested of all agendas, meanings, and messages that might be associated with them so that the effectiveness of their composition and impact can be assessed without distraction and so that the reader can enjoy them as a pictorial language in their own right. Every symbol is captioned with information on who it was designed for, who designed it, when, and what the symbol stands for. These sections are interspersed with short but detailed case studies featuring classic examples of symbols still in use, and exceptional examples of recently designed symbols. This comprehensive volume is an indispensable resource for designers working on identity systems, and an engaging showcase of this exciting field. Now in a compact format.
Icons shape the way we see the world around us in business, communication, entertainment, and much more. Now is your chance to learn to speak the textless language of icons with Thinking in Icons. From the most refined corporate visual systems to the ubiquitous emoji, icons have become an international language of symbols as well as a way to make a wholly unique statement. Without even realizing it, billions of people interpret the language of icons each day, this is the designer’s guide to creating the next great statement. In Thinking in Icons, artist and designer Felix Sockwell--logo developer for Appleand other high-profile companies, as well as GUI creator for the New York Times app--takes you through the process of creating an effective icon. You will cover many styles and visual approaches to this deceptively complex art. Sockwell also offers examples of his collaborations with Stefan Sagmeister, Debbie Millman, and other luminary designers. Thinking in Icons also features the work Sockwell has done with an impressive roster of blue-chip international brands, including Facebook, Google, Hasbro, Sony and Yahoo.
A paper reprint of the 1985 first edition. Holmes, executive art director for Time, details the design process he used to create over 50 symbols for the magazine. Includes his successions of sketches. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
Unlock the secrets to becoming an exceptional graphic designer with 'Mastering Graphic Design: A Comprehensive Guide to Excellence.' This meticulously crafted book offers a deep dive into every facet of graphic design, providing aspiring designers and seasoned professionals alike with the tools, techniques, and insights needed to elevate their craft to new heights. From mastering the fundamental principles of design to developing creative concepts, crafting compelling visuals, and designing for various platforms and media, each chapter is packed with practical advice, real-world examples, and actionable tips. Delve into the art of typography and layout, explore the nuances of user experience and interface design, and learn how to streamline your workflow and manage projects efficiently. Navigate the business side of graphic design with confidence, from freelancing strategies to client communication and marketing yourself effectively. Cultivate creativity, innovation, and a lasting legacy as a designer while staying abreast of emerging technologies and industry trends. Whether you're just starting your journey or seeking to refine your skills, 'Mastering Graphic Design' is your indispensable companion on the path to becoming an amazing graphic designer.
The complete and user-friendly introduction to graphic design--in a new edition Now with information on Web site design, plus examples, exercises, and more! Today, anyone with a good basic computer setup can produce a newsletter or a Web page--but to create effective, professional-quality pieces that stand out from the competition, you need more than a hard drive and some decent software. You need an understanding of how visual communication works and a solid grasp of the principles of design, composition, and typography. You need Graphic Design on the Desktop. Written specifically for those who have little or no design background or experience, this accessible guide teaches you the fundamentals of sound graphic design and gives you the practical know-how to put them to work on your own projects, from initial concept through final production. This new edition covers every key element of the design process, including format, layout and page design, typesetting, color, and illustrations--and offers clear explanations of type terminology, printing terms, and more. It guides you step-by-step through the design and production of ads, posters, brochures, and other promotional materials, as well as newsletters and magazines. A separate chapter on designing for the Web helps you make the most of home page and Web site designs. Complete with helpful examples, exercises, hints, and checklists, plus tips on common pitfalls and how to avoid them, Graphic Design on the Desktop is the ideal design partner for projects that get attention and get results.
