The book features over 1300 symbols, organized into groups and sub-groups according to their visual characteristics. Each category includes a short introduction, with expanded captions providing information on who the symbol was designed for, who designed it, when, and where appropriate, what the symbol stands for. These sections are interspersed with short case studies on both classic examples of symbols still in use, and exceptional examples of recently designed symbols.
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About the Author
Angus Hyland is a graduate of the RCA and a partner at Pentagram Design London. In 2001 Hyland was the co-curator with Roanne Bell of "Picture This", a British Council exhibition featuring the work of London illustrators.
Steven Bateman is a freelance writer who has worked with some of the UK's leading design agencies. A regular contributor to Grafik magazine, he also writes for ISTD Condensed, Nico, and Varoom.
Steven Bateman is a freelance writer who has worked with some of the UK's leading design agencies. A regular contributor to Grafik magazine, he also writes for ISTD Condensed, Nico, and Varoom.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simplicity, neutrality, clarity, wit and a bit of playfulness = a great commercial symbol
June 19, 2011
By Robin Benson
Format:Paperback
Put logo, trademark or symbol into Amazon search and you'll come up with a few hundred books that cover every aspect of the subject, from how to design them to copyright problems. The subject is now a staple in the design publishers catalog. Hyland and Bateman's book is a notch above most because they've stripped the subject down to the basics and look at symbols only, so there are no typographic and image marks like UPS; Dole; MetLife; Exxon or Coca Cola, for example.
The 1300 symbols in the book are divided into two sections: Abstract and Representational. These are subdivided into categories like stripes (fifteen examples) arrows (twenty-five) radiating/circular (twenty-three) sun (fourteen) birds (thirty-two) or hearts (twenty-two). I thought the Representational pages the most fascinating because designers have to use a familiar object and change it into a unique version for a company so it will be recognizable anywhere. Anything that has a curve to it (bird, heart, eye) seems to encourage designers to create some wonderful company brandmarks.
Scattered through the pages are some case histories (over two or three pages) where there is a closer look at selected company marks. These are the only pages that use color. All the symbols have credits for company, country, designer, date and a brief description of what the design is for.
There are a few hundred names, from around the world, in the designer index and Pentagram gets the most inclusions with sixty-two symbols, Chermayeff & Geismar get thirty-six and Karol Silwka (from Poland) gets thirty-one. Oddly the great designer Saul Bass only has one entry and Herb Lubalin none, I suppose because he was essentially a type man. There is a company and sector index also.
The book is a nice clean production with a maximum of nine images to a page. My only criticism is that the paper is a rather thick which makes the book a bit unwieldy while handling it. I think this is a worthwhile buy for design professionals and students.
###LOOK AT SOME INSIDE PAGES by clicking 'customer images' under the cover.
The 1300 symbols in the book are divided into two sections: Abstract and Representational. These are subdivided into categories like stripes (fifteen examples) arrows (twenty-five) radiating/circular (twenty-three) sun (fourteen) birds (thirty-two) or hearts (twenty-two). I thought the Representational pages the most fascinating because designers have to use a familiar object and change it into a unique version for a company so it will be recognizable anywhere. Anything that has a curve to it (bird, heart, eye) seems to encourage designers to create some wonderful company brandmarks.
Scattered through the pages are some case histories (over two or three pages) where there is a closer look at selected company marks. These are the only pages that use color. All the symbols have credits for company, country, designer, date and a brief description of what the design is for.
There are a few hundred names, from around the world, in the designer index and Pentagram gets the most inclusions with sixty-two symbols, Chermayeff & Geismar get thirty-six and Karol Silwka (from Poland) gets thirty-one. Oddly the great designer Saul Bass only has one entry and Herb Lubalin none, I suppose because he was essentially a type man. There is a company and sector index also.
The book is a nice clean production with a maximum of nine images to a page. My only criticism is that the paper is a rather thick which makes the book a bit unwieldy while handling it. I think this is a worthwhile buy for design professionals and students.
###LOOK AT SOME INSIDE PAGES by clicking 'customer images' under the cover.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
As reviewed in the WSJ, this is a very welcome addition to the field of logo design. One can quibble that some of the leading French, German and Swiss designers are not covered in greater detail - book seems very UK centric especially in the color spreads for the Underground, BOAC, etc.
The manufacture of the book is not so great (printed in China of course - whatever happened to the printing presses of the Western world?), binding fell apart 6 days outside the Amazon return date - not cheap and poorly assembled. Check your copy carefully if you decide to buy this.
The manufacture of the book is not so great (printed in China of course - whatever happened to the printing presses of the Western world?), binding fell apart 6 days outside the Amazon return date - not cheap and poorly assembled. Check your copy carefully if you decide to buy this.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Pat
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a competent book on symbols being used as brand marks. I have to admit I expected much more, given the background of Pentagram as one of the leading identity firms in the world. They do not show just Pentagram's work, but even so, there are a bunch of brands that are just pitiful. I would reconsider buying this one.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing
I love this book, I ordered, and when I received it, it was perfect in all ways, content and physically.
Published 2 months ago by michelle
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good book, printed in black in white...
with a good variety and categrizations of international
symbols...
It seems it is a useful source of inspiration... Read more
symbols...
It seems it is a useful source of inspiration... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Luis
5.0 out of 5 stars
Symbols!
This book, written in conjunction with talented Angus Hyland, is a great reference for anyone interested in learning more about types of symbols, similar symbols, how similar... Read more
Published 5 months ago by kathryn e henderson
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you're looking for symbol inspiration, this is the book you need.
I bought this because Amazon suggested it when I was shopping for other design books. Turns out, it's awesome. Just in case you also skip over the description, this book is huge. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Zach Wolf
5.0 out of 5 stars
A inspirational must.
This is up with the mighty Los Logos collection. A bargain and a great addition to any studio, don't hesitate in buying this bad boy.
Published 20 months ago by James Noble
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