Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

This update to the first book to provide explicit case histories of the successful marriage of form and content in graphic design explores more than 125 classic and contemporary works-30 of them brand new-explaining why they are aesthetically significant and how they function as good design. These thought pieces offer a vast taste of the aesthetic, political, historical, and personal issues that move today's global design community and fans.*0 Full of new stories about the graphic icons and idols of today's design culture * This replaces 1-880559-76-5 which has sold nearly 20,000 copies

Allworth Press, an imprint of Skyhorse Publishing, publishes a broad range of books on the visual and performing arts, with emphasis on the business of art. Our titles cover subjects such as graphic design, theater, branding, fine art, photography, interior design, writing, acting, film, how to start careers, business and legal forms, business practices, and more. While we don't aspire to publish a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are deeply committed to quality books that help creative professionals succeed and thrive. We often publish in areas overlooked by other publishers and welcome the author whose expertise can help our audience of readers.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

These 94 essays describe both little-known artifacts and recognizable icons that span 20th-century design in the West. Each essay is accompanied by a small, black-and-white photographic example of the object or design. The essays are not chronologically arranged but divided into eight themes: persuasion, media (the largest with 26 essays), language, identity, information (the shortest with only three essays), iconography, style, and commerce. The authors have neglected to include any design or designers from the East; perhaps their intention is to produce a follow-up volume. The essays are short but highly readable and informative, usually focusing on one object and providing some interesting insights into the object's creation and impact. Students of graphic design history will find appealing analysis and critical points of view to consider. Design Literacy will appeal to both the general reader, whose curiosity may be piqued by recognizing some of our most famous icons, and professionals/practitioners, whose knowledge and sensitivity to design may be heightened by these thoughtful essays. General; undergraduate (including two-year technical program) through professional. D. Ichiyama Purdue University