"You cannot understand the universe without learning first to understand the language in which it was written. It is written in the language of mathematics, and its letters are triangles, circles and other geometric forms. Without this language humans cannot understand a single word of the universe. Without it we wander in a dark labyrinth." - Galileo Galilei

Title : Decoding Design
Publisher: How Books
Author: Maggie Mcnab

What makes a good design? Before we even get there, what even makes a design at all? Is design like art? Often said to be subjective and objective? Maggie Macnab aims to share her thoughts and understanding in Decoding Design. With more than twenty-five years of experience and recognition, Maggie Macnab pens her knowledgeable understanding of the attributing aspects of successful visual communication into this well segmentalized 224 paged book.

Coming in with an orange spine and purple front and back cover, the design of this book showcases Decoding Design in bold white fonts and a orange turn wheel that allows any reader to briefly view Maggie Macnab's explanation on the relationship between numbers, concepts and symbols; like an appetizer before the entree of both in depth textual and pictorial explanation that lies ahead of the purple front cover.

The proceeding pages start with Maggie Macnab's explanation of patterns, both natural and man-made; and how they work their symbolical value and intent beyond an aesthetic or functional one. She holds and carries the reader through her explanation with examples that bring a sense of realization on how one could have and would have overlooked the whole idea of patterns in daily living. Like how nature has it such that after a stroke of lightning comes a clap of thunder, making for a pattern that is not just visual, but audio as well; or perhaps how branches or roots, human veins or multiple intestinal structure employ the branching pattern, for micro to macro patterns to engergetic transference. These examples have been around for more than the number of years each and every reader has as an age, but yet they point to such realization of neglected awarenesss. And with that, Maggie Macnab pulls any reader in with well researched and sometimes almost scientifically proven doctrines.


(5 petals signal energy-conversion compatibility with our digestive system)

(human circulatory system, visual language, Art of Anatomy)

Amongst the many other scientifically researched examples from nature include one such as petals of flowering plants that number to 5, produces edible fruits, whereas, should they number to 6, the fruits that are produced are usually non-edible or meant for medicinal purposes. The first chapter clearly explains how patterns have been all around since nature itself existed, and a read through would place the reader in a contemplative position where one starts wondering and eventually realize how patterns have been rather overlooked on a day to day basis.


(economy prevails in nature)

The next few chapters explains the correlation between patterns and their structed form, that is, by symbols and signs; as well as how patterns themselves are being percieved as; this explanation plays with some basic notions of semiology, which is a theoritical explanation of how a communicative message is being brought across from symbols and signs.


(Venn diagram shows all possible logical relationships between groups)

Aside from symbols and signs, numbers are just as important as a correlating factor in Maggie Macnab's explanation. And each chapter opens with background on a specific number, with details that at times draw a connection between religion and the cosmic unvierse; and at other times, a connection between a cultural aspect and scienctific one. But no matter the juxtaposition, one thing remains clear. And that is, each chapter opens up from an introduction that can be thought of to be as solid as a brick wall, serving well to break down the easily overlooked associating connection between numbers and the semiotical message intended.

So what makes a good design? Decoding Design explains that for a good design to be archived, both in a visual perspective and a perceptive one, attributes of symbols, signs and numbers are put into play. But however, a good design is just like a good play. The right symbol, right sign and right number gets into play with roles as the right individual theatrical actors in the very plot that depends and calls on the right complimentary chemistry.

Clear examples in Maggie Macnab's opinion are included in the chapters and taken as case studies, together with explanations that break down the intertwining connection between the symbols, signs and specific number involved. It is from her deconstructing and layer peeling, and later piecing back once again, that one picks up and gathers the different aspects of the contruction to a good design. This sort of good grasp and understanding stretches beneficial contributions to aspects of logo and graphic design, as well as branding; these of which are then further beneficial to fields of advertising, media and promotion.

With the extremely positive rating from Amazon.com and the New Mexico Book Award, Decoding Design is evidently well received and appreciated by working professionals, students as well as anyone who needs some sense of tranquil direction towards the reason and logic behind a good visually communicative design; especially in this messy complicated world of design, where neglectfully and regretfully, sometimes anything goes.

Maggie Macnab's Decoding Design can be thought of to be the equivalent to a high energy bar, and this translates to it being a rich supplement. Individuals both in the creative industry and not, who either crave and have the urge to seek out digestable directions or to simply maintain good standards of design, would find Decoding Design and its strategic principles aimed towards powerful branding, visual communications and strong branding identity, worth a read, two or more.

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