Decoding Design - Chapter 0 review - Patterns upon Patterns upon Patterns upon Patterns
September 12th, 2008
Brains on Fire’s Eric Whitlock continues his review of a book that we are honored to be a part of, Maggie Macnab’s Decoding Design.
Patterns. They’re everywhere—naturally occurring and recreated by mankind. Learning to observe, understand and synthesize natural patterns is one of a designer’s greatest ability to symbolize for effective communications and visual problem solving.
In the first chapter review of “Decoding Design” by Maggie Macnab, I was captivated by the undeniable influence of natural patterns and their influence on design. Be it the cyclical phases of the twinkle, twinkle
little stars, the four seasons, the cracking of the desert floor, or the endless migration of the animal kingdom—the tangible and immaterial patterns and rhythms of life should be critically observed and embraced. As Maggie clearly points out, “everything we envision and create—everything we are—comes from the ability to symbolize…design is the ability to communicate through an intuitive sense of pattern. It is the difference b
etween lucid communications and meaningless noise.” I couldn’t agree more! Consider Pentagram’s mark for The City Library, Salt Lake City Public Library—it’s a brilliant example for how patterns—natural and man made—clearly articulate and work as visual signifiers to convey truth and understanding—its simplicity is it beauty. The illustration below was fun to consider—it has infinite reoccurring locations—also note the order from left to right and how patterns evolve the great dance of life inspires and art and vice-versa. The symbolism has infinite possibilities here.
This is only a small snapshot of the first chapter!
Final note: It’s also interesting how similar patterns can create opposite meaning. Consider the spiraling visual pattern of a rose bloom and cat. 5 hurricane Katrina. They look alike—yet their symbolism couldn’t be anymore contrasting. Remember our friends as Ike tracks across Texas and the midlands!
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