Type and Image The Language of Graphic Design Philip B. Meggs What is the essence of graphic design? How do graphic designers solve problems, organize space, and imbue their work with those visual and symbolic qualities that enable it to convey visual and verbal information with expression and clarity? The extraordinary flowering of graphic design in our time, as a potent means for communication and a major component of our visual culture, increases the need for designers, clients, and students to comprehend its nature. In this lively and lavishly illustrated book, the author reveals the very essence of graphic design. The elements that combine to form a design— sings, symbols, words, pictures, and supporting forms—are analyzed and explained. Graphic design’s ability to function as language, and the innovative ways that designers combine words and pictures, are discussed. While all visual arts share common spatial properties, the author demonstrates that graphic space has unique characteristics that are determined by its communicative function. Graphic designs can have visual and symbolic properties which empower them to communicate with deep expression and meaning. The author defines this property as graphic resonance and explains how it occurs. After defining design as a problem-solving process, a model for this process is developed and illustrated by an in-depth analysis of actual case histories. This book will provide insight and inspiration for everyone who is interested or involved in graphic communications. While most materials about form and meaning in design have a European origin, this volume is based on the dynamic and expressive graphic design of America. The reader will find inspiration, hundreds of exciting examples by many of America’s outstanding graphic designers, and keen insights in Type and Image.

Working with type and image and the integration of these two elements to create persuasive and effective design pieces are the foundations of good graphic design. Yet, very little practical information exists for these tasks. This book changes all it. It gives designers the practical know-how to combine type and image for dynamic effect as well as to use them in contrast to create tension and meaning in design. Creating strong layouts is the most important as well as the most challenging of any project. This book inspires through excellence by exhibiting great design work then deconstructing the processes in simple visual terms. Type, Image, Message: Merging Pictures and Ideas looks at this respected art form while providing practical information that can be used by any designer wishing to hone the skills needed to merge type with images in an inspired manner.

Alphabetic characters are now not only considered in terms of their potential to display linguistic information, but also their potential to act as artists' marks. This text presents a collection of contemporary works which challenge the divide between type and image.

This innovative volume is the first to provide the design student, practitioner, and educator with an invaluable comprehensive reference of visual and narrative material that illustrates and evaluates the unique and important history surrounding graphic design and architecture. Graphic Design and Architecture, A 20th Century History closely examines the relationship between typography, image, symbolism, and the built environment by exploring principal themes, major technological developments, important manufacturers, and pioneering designers over the last 100 years. It is a complete resource that belongs on every designer’s bookshelf.

The classic work on the evaluation of city form. What does the city's form actually mean to the people who live there? What can the city planner do to make the city's image more vivid and memorable to the city dweller? To answer these questions, Mr. Lynch, supported by studies of Los Angeles, Boston, and Jersey City, formulates a new criterion—imageability—and shows its potential value as a guide for the building and rebuilding of cities. The wide scope of this study leads to an original and vital method for the evaluation of city form. The architect, the planner, and certainly the city dweller will all want to read this book.

Discover the secrets of communication for good graphic design Being able to communicate effectively and persuasively through the mediums of visual and verbal methods is a fundamental concept of design. Create Impact with Type, Image and Color breaks down the specifics of the different levels of communication into what grabs attention first, what is accessed next and what, on various levels, follows on. Through case studies and practical exercises, it looks at the basic principles of design, as well as essential design considerations and the importance of aesthetics, providing a complete overview of all areas of communication. Through inspiring examples, it investigates the ways in which information is received by its audience within a variety of print and screen contexts, and the practical exercises allow the reader to develop what they have learnt. All of this serves to provide the designer with the methodology and the practice to design for maximum effect.