Geometry of Design 2nd Ed: Studies in Proportion and Composition (Design Briefs)

As a photographer, or more specifically someone interested in learning the art of photography, I am interested in the theory of aesthetics and design. This book came highly recommended and does not disappoint. It is more advanced than the accessible "Canon of Design" by Travis Leaf Glover, and deals with a number of concepts such as "rebatment" which I had not previously encountered.The paperback book itself is a joy to own; well laid out and printed, and I particularly like the use of transparent overlays to show how the design principles apply to example images.

As an artist, I was interested in developing the compositional components of my paintings. I had been playing about with the 'golden section' for ages but not really understanding how to use it. This book is straight to the point and visual. It explains the various means of geometrical composition and proportion then gives examples. The book analyses paintings of various styles, posters and 3 dimensional objects from chairs to kitchen appliances. If you want deep, in-depth exploration of this subject perhaps look elsewhere. In my opinion, a good all rounder for artists and designers who want to quickly expand their knowledge then get on with being creative.

Great book. I am a designer and woodworker with a graphic design background and found this extremely interesting.

A very clever way of looking at Space and how to train ones self to be more spacially aware of your surroundings espcially in Garden Design.

Clean clear information - lost ( was stolen ? ) first copy so this is my second - says it all. Helps to work out canvas sizes and composition - without too much verbose theory.

Very interesting idea. Allows you to look at design easily and shows HOW a famous design works.

Bought for architecture course

Highly recommended, everything arrives on time and as it should be.

I gave my copy to a friend who never returned it.It is an extraordinary book on Pi in art and design. Well written and great visuals. A must read for artists and designers.

bonne prestation

Um livro muito bonito e com bastante explicação sobre as técnicas envolvidas. As transparências demonstrando as composições geométricas dão um charme todo especial

good one

Designers and artists will be intrigued by Kimberly Elam’s visually rich investigation of proportion, form, and composition. I tend to draw intuitively, placing elements in a picture where they seem to “fit”. My ability to illustrate was definitely sharpened by my years in design school working with grid systems and analyzing the composition of posters and page layouts. Kimberly Elam’s book echoes that experience by closely examining everything from a Mies van der Rohe Barcelona Chair to a Toulouse-Lautrec poster. She relates the forms in design, architecture, and art to naturally occurring forms such as a Nautilus shell or a pine cone. The author’s ability to explain complex concepts in an understandable way makes this book approachable, useful, and fun. I am fascinated by Ms. Elam’s use of transparent overlays that allow the reader to see the structure of the work under examination. Judging by the fact that the book has been published in nine languages, apparently other readers are fascinated as well.