Philographics: Big Ideas in Simple Shapes

by Genis Carreras (Creator)

"It takes the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy 28,250 words to explain the woolly concept of relativism. It takes Genis Carreras 32 words and a single image. If you ask me, he doesn't even need the text."—Co.Design

"Remarkable visual eloquence in his Philographics project."—Brain Pickings

Philographics is all about explaining big ideas in simple shapes, merging the world of philosophy and graphic design. Here are ninety-five designs, each depicting a different "–ism" using a unique combination of geometric shapes, colors, and a short definition of the theory.

Genres: Philosophy, Design, Art, Nonfiction, Reference, Graphic Novels

200 pages, Paperback

First published March 11, 2013

Reviews

[Tracy · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I appreciate the effort, artwork, and design of this book, and enjoyed many of the graphics, there are some graphics and linked ideas that make no sense or are flat out wrong.

- Why is capitalism linked to historicism as its opposite, whereas capitalism's opposite, communism, is absent from the book? Or why not even link capitalism to socialism, where socialism is in the book?

- Why isn't historicism contrasted with reductionism or even formalism? Historicism is similar to contextualism or relativism, not capitalism, where contextualism and relativism are also used in analyzing history.

- Why is historicism labelled a political philosophy instead of an epistemological one?

- Why is the symbol for atheism a satanic symbol of an upside red cross on black print? Atheism should be a depiction of a void of religion, not an anti-thesis to it. Theism on the the other hand, is depicted by a peaceful blue graphic, implying that atheists are not at peace.

- The cynicism symbol is humorlessly similar to the atheism symbol, which looks like a black devil on a red background, and both are also similar to the anarchism graphic with its red trapezoid on a black background. Whereas anything related to religion, theism, or spirituality looks peaceful and serene, the atheism, cynicism, and anarchism depictions, and other individualistic ones, make me think there is some bias from the author.

- Why not use the obvious A for the anarchism graphic? The red trapezoid would be more appropriate for socialism, mimicking the socialism flag, or even use the red rose symbol.

- The graphic for socialism is the communism star. K. :/

- Why use an upside down pink triangle to depict hedonism, the same symbol that was a former Nazi concentration camp symbol for gay men, and was reclaimed later during the LGBT movement? This implies that hedonism, by guilt of association to LGBTQ2IA+, is loose or immoral or self-serving or negative.

[Laurens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book by young Genis Carreras! He fuses art and philosophy in a very effective and concise manner. Every two pages consist of a title, a short desciption, and a picture. If you've been interested in politics and philosophy before starting this book you won't find too many new terms and theories, but there are some, and it will at least give you a new perspective or drive to find more about the depths that philosophy can provide. So whether you are an art buff, a philosophy buff, or simply interested in thought-provoking books you can browse through on a rainy (or sunny) day, go get this book.

[Mouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now that I’ve read this... my life is complete and full of knowledge! Lol 😆
If you’re one of those logic minded folks that like graphs then this book is for you. I just like it because it makes that little OCD child in me feel complete. 😊

[Thi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully made! The title says it all: Take big ideas and put them into simple shapes so that every one will understand the essence of otherwise way to complex philosophical thoughts.

[Gina Chi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting concepts introduced in a manner most digestible. Especially coupled with elegant graphics. An informative read.

[Laroy Viviane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trop ludique. Beaucoup de symboles issus du monde mathématique.

[Marko]

Autor spaja filozofiju i grafički dizajn koristeći se pritom jezikom minimalizma.

[Keith Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carreras uses colorful minimalist icons as symbols for philosophical ideas. Each image is paired with a one or two sentence definition of the concept. If you are looking for deep analysis of complex ideas this is not the book, rather this is the book for artistic iconography to express ideas you already understand. I can imagine these symbols hanging like banners in philosophy classrooms to announce the teacher's philosophical perspective, or people wearing multiple philographic buttons to express their opinions like a more sophisticated version of bumper stickers .

It bugs me a bit that Idealism has one of the most attractive symbols in the collection. I do like how well the color schemes of Empiricism and Stoicism blend; two unrelated ideas but both appealing.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure that I got all that much out of this, but I did like the consistent designs over a large collection of ideas like this, and it's always cool to see a Kickstarter project that I was unaware of "in the wild."

[Antoinette Hollamon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is completely adorable. It's a very simple start to some of the most complex philosophical ideas. As a big picture person, I loved being able to read a definition I didn't know, and then find out more information on my own. I loved it!

[Patricia Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

a pleasure.

[Shona Dickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely combination of philosophy and graphics. A book to pick up often and ponder the content

[Pushpak Karnick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please find my review at http://echoes-empty-mind.blogspot.com....

[Emerson Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good way of seeing a briefly textual and visual explanation of a philosophical concept.
More like an "encyclopedia" than an actual book.
Open the book, randomly and enjoy it!