Customer Reviews

Global Graphics: Symbols - Designing with Symbols for an International Market

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Huge disappointment. One star for a nice but decieving cover (and there isn't a zero-star). In fact, I learned that the symbols on the cover were nothing more than a convention used by the authors to catagorize their 8th-grade-level passages into people, plants, animals, gestures/language, and shapes for a region/country.

However, the coverage of countries/cultures was quite sparse--they completely missed the Middle East. It's basically a portfolio of works done by their designer friends for foreign clients, as if a few (sometimes one) client's work represents a cultural reference.

I actually question whether the authors' understand the definition of a symbol or icon...
"A SYMBOL for untold riches during the fifteenth century, Australia and the surrounding islands were finally opened... But Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand soon became ICONS of both refuge and desparation in the 1780's..." (p.172)

To her credit, Anastatia Miller's book, "What Logos Do and How They Do It" was good and useful, which leads me to believe the books lacking is due to the publisher or the Cullens.

(This is not my first disappointment with a Rockport published design book; I will be very hesitant before I buy another one.)

For a good book on symbols, try "Signs and Symbols..." by Adrian Frutiger.

Interesting concepts - to put together books on global colors (see: "Global Graphics: Color") and symbolism for the field of graphic design. This information is needed in this world of global messaging. After having my doubts confirmed on false data in the color book, however, red flags still want to wave in my brain with this book. At least the German flag is displayed correctly in the "Symbols" book. And both books are well designed and great eye candy. "Symbols" also gives various avenues for creative thinking. I would be careful with their facts, however. Check them twice or three times with other sources just to be on the safe side.