Decoding Design: Understanding and Using Symbols in Visual Communication (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: constructing the universe, vesica piscis, mother circle, Decoding Design, Case Studies Based, New Mexico (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

"The relevance of shapes, numbers and symbols in communication is timeless. Designers and others who need to know the symbolism behind the shape and symbols they use will find this book indispensable. Decoding Design integrates design with other disciplines and genres, such as philosophy, math and physics, for a holistic and worldly presentation of ideas.

Our complex world is comprised of a handful of some very simple patterns. Patterns are made of basic shapes. These shapes have found their way into human design since the beginning of our time because they tell an eternal tale in a glimpse and their structure instructs about our connection to the universe. Symbols are intuitive and immediate. Design that references these symbols creates an immediate relationship with the viewer and that is what this book is all about.

Decoding Design reveals how common symbols resonate at a gut level. Readers will find deconstructions of famous logos and examples of variety of different designs that effectively use symbols, patterns and shapes to convey greater meaning."

About the Author

Since 1981, Maggie Macnab has been creating symbols, visual metaphors and conceptual design for a wide range of clients. She had been published in every major design magazine including Communication Arts, STEP, Print and Graphis. Maggie is past president of the Communication Artists of New Mexico, teaches symbolism and logo design at the University of New Mexico, and speaks at national conferences, universities and schools.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: How (February 4, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581809697
• ISBN-13: 978-1581809695
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #57,049 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Decoding Design - a must have for all designers, April 15, 2008

By	Elaine Montoya "ihuman" (Albuquerque, NM USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

What really makes good design work? It's a question we as professional designers ask daily. For some designers, it is a constant struggle. But for a handful of top award winning designers, it seems to come easy. What's their secret?

The answer? It's all around us. The answer is given to us in nature. The answer has repeatedly revealed itself to us over time.

Mathematicians and philosophers throughout time have been aware of the key. The key to what makes things 'work' - both from a spiritual perspective, and in the world of physics.

Perhaps what sets top designers apart from the rest, is that they have discovered this key. Whether through deep personal exploration, or simply by being more in tuned to the world around them - they are aware of the patterns all around us and have harnessed these 'secrets' and applied them in the world of graphic design.

Award winning designer, Maggie Macnab is one of these unique individuals. Her logo design work has taken top awards worldwide for decades. In her book 'Decoding Design: Understanding and Using Symbols in Visual Communication', Macnab shares her secrets of success.

Each chapter progresses numerically - from zero to ten reflecting the importance these numbers play in design. From simple shapes like circles and squares, to more complex shapes like spirals, they are all seen in nature. They are all part of the key to effective design.

In each chapter, Macnab deconstructs award winning logo designs by applying the principals she is teaching. The book contains photographs from nature, architecture, and history. She includes photos of her sketches in which she reveals her creative process when designing logos. And finally, she includes visuals of the completed logos. Through this process, readers begin to understand how everything is related.

What we learn from the explorations in this book, can be applied to all aspects of design - not just logos. From brochure and website design, to motion graphic design - the principals of effective design are all the same.

I would rank this book as the top design book of the decade. It is something that has been sorely missing. It should be required reading in all design curriculum. Never before has a designer taken the time to go through their process, and put it down in words in such an eloquent and explanatory fashion. I for one, am grateful Macnab has taken the time to do so. Decoding Design is one book that should be on all designer's bookshelves.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, very informative, but a bit on the wannabe mystical side, October 6, 2008

By	B. D. Hoyt "Bryan Hoyt" (Christchurch, New Zealand) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a very good book, and I'd recommend it to artists & designers. Some good thought that's gone into analyzing deeper patterns and meanings that give influence to a symbol in our minds.

However, I'm continually disappointed by the author's unlikely connections. For example in the chapter on the number 2, she joins 2 circles together to create an almond shape called a "Vesica Piscis". The she almost-arbitrarily draws two connecting lines inside that vaguely look like a christian cross, and uses that to explain the deep religious significance behind the cross & piscis.

While some things are a bit of a stretch, the book on the whole is fascinating.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BUY THIS BOOK, November 15, 2008

By	Christine Terrell - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'm currently working on a more comprehensive review of this book, but this is the bottom line: If you are a practicing artist, designer or craftsman--buy this book. If you have friends that fall into these categories--buy this book for them. Many design books are pure fluff or puff pieces for their 'celebrity' subjects. This book has all the great photos, illustrations and examples of a well produced, showy design book, but more impressively, the text is highly engaging and thought-provoking. It has inspired me to try new things in my work as well as elucidated some things that were already happening--just at that slightly unconscious level. This is not only a good read, but a reference book that actually lives up to that ideal.