Here’s an interesting, critical, and engaging review of Symbol by Angus Hyland and Steven Bateman, written from the perspective of a designer and visual communicator.

The last page of her borrowed copy of Symbol now has a new entry, written in her own trembling hand:

Many symbols rely on the viewer’s brain to fill in the gaps. Think of the FedEx arrow (hidden in the negative space between the 'E' and the 'x') or the Spartan Golf logo (a golfer and a flag). The book provides dozens of examples of this visual magic trick.

The book is structured around the psychological principles of Gestalt theory—how the human eye perceives form, pattern, and intention. It breaks symbols down into simple categories:

  1. Branding and identity: examples of logos and symbol-based branding systems.
  2. Information design: applications of symbols in wayfinding, signage, and data visualization.
  3. Digital design: use of symbols in user interfaces, emojis, and social media.
  1. Case-study templates for client work

Case Studies

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