Geometry of Design: Studies in Proportion and Composition

by Kimberly Elam

At last, a mathematical explanation of how art works presented in a manner we can all understand. Kimberly Elam takes the reader on a geometrical journey, lending insight and coherence to the design process by exploring the visual relationships that have foundations in mathematics as well as the essential qualities of life. Geometry of Design-the first book in our new Design Briefs Series-takes a close look at a broad range of twentieth-century examples of design, architecture, and illustration (from the Barcelona chair to the Musica Viva poster, from the Braun handblender to the Conico kettle), revealing underlying geometric structures in their compositions. Explanations and techniques of visual analysis make the inherent mathematical relationships evident and a must-have for anyone involved in graphic arts. The book focuses not only on the classic systems of proportioning, such as the golden section and root rectangles, but also on less well known proportioning systems such as the Fibonacci Series. Through detailed diagrams these geometric systems are brought to life giving an effective insight into the design process.

96 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2001

About the author

Kimberly Elam is a writer, educator and graphic designer. She currently chairs the Graphic + Interactive Communication Department at the Ringling College of Art and Design, Sarasota, FL, where she has developed an academic minor in the Business of Art and Design. Her previous design education positions include the Kansas City Art Institute, North Carolina State University and The Ohio State University—where she received a Distinguished Teaching Award.

She has written extensively about graphic design and design education. Her first book, Expressive Typography, Word as Image (Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1990) identifies and analyzes methods by which words can transcend didactic meaning and become images. Geometry of Design, Studies in Proportion and Composition (Princeton Architectural Press, 2001) visually illustrates the connection between classic proportioning systems and modern graphic design, industrial design, illustration and architecture. Grid Systems, Principles of Organizing Type, (Princeton Architectural Press, 2004) puts forth a clear methodology for understanding and learning the grid system of composition. Graphic Translation, A Graphic Design Project Guide, (BookSurge.com) focuses on the creation of images with the visual means of abstraction, reduction and interpretation with point, line, plane, shade and shadow. Her most recent book, Typographic Systems, Rules for Organizing Type (Princeton Architectural Press, 2007), presents an innovative series of nontraditional, rule-based, visual language systems for typographic composition. Her current work focuses on the development of a series of innovative ebooks and print-on-demand books for design education on her website, www.StudioResourceInc.com.