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10 SIMPLE STEPS INTO THE SYMBOLISM OF SHAPE.
The Number The Shape Quality and Principle
2
The line is born of the circle casting its reec-
tion to distinguish self. The line is the one
dimensional shape of relationship in which
edge and separateness are dened. Like most
essential shapes, it is an archetype that
contains opposites: the line both divides and
connects. It also demonstrates duality as seen
from two very different philosophies: in west-
ern culture it reveals the propensity towards
linear thinking as two intersecting lines forming
a cross, while in eastern culture the inclusive
yin yang describes the same principle from a
more holistic point of view.
Example 1: Even though this logo is created with circles, the dominant
design element is the western demonstration of linear duality,
created by a cloned circle. Color also plays an important role
in the design: the golden circle on the right is preceded by the
red circle on the left. This company was formed primarily by
American and Japanese companies in the mid 60s: the red
sun of the east is complimented by the golden opportunity
of the west.
Example 2: This logo was designed for an Arabian horse farm in the mid 80s.
As their primary business was breeding, I keyed in on the dual-
istic nature of mares and stallions with reproduction as the
end result. The design also provided an opportunity to inte-
grate visual information about the breed: Arabs are prized for
their delicate bone structurethe dished faces and long, arched
necks that allow them to breathe efciently when galloping
through the sandstorms of their original home, the Sahara desert.
DECODING DESIGN: UNDERSTANDING AND USING SYMBOLS IN VISUAL COMMUNICATION | MAGGIE MACNAB | 3
Maggie Macnab 505-286-8558 www.macnabdesign.com www.decodingdesign.com 2008 MAGGIE MACNAB ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
THE MASTERCARD LOGO IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF MASTERCARD
10 SIMPLE STEPS INTO THE SYMBOLISM OF SHAPE.
The Number The Shape Quality and Principle
3
DECODING DESIGN: UNDERSTANDING AND USING SYMBOLS IN VISUAL COMMUNICATION | MAGGIE MACNAB | 4
Maggie Macnab 505-286-8558 www.macnabdesign.com www.decodingdesign.com 2008 MAGGIE MACNAB ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
A third point provides the opportunity of
closure of the line to create the next shape,
the plane. This two dimensional shape is a
clear illustration of its principle: transform-
ing a base line into higher renement. The
plane provides access between one and
three dimensions. Revered by Egyptians,
Masons and on our dollar bill, the triangle is
indicative of inspiration, re and male yang
in the upward pointing position, while in
the downward position indicates water and
female yin. The female pelvisthe triangular,
physical truss of the human bodyserves the
same purpose by transporting new genetic
information into a three dimensional world.
Example 1: The recycle symbol is one of those designs we never think
about because it is so intuitively clear. Life must eat life to
live, and decomposition is the opportunity for new life to
occur by recombining parts. Transforming old into new is a
basic premise of natures continuation. Nature doesnt
tolerate waste and is based on the cooperation between
function and form.
Example 2: The MuSE logo (Multi-user Synthetic Environment) was designed
as a play on the acronym and as a visual descriptor of the product.
MuSE is a shell software that puts raw numerical data into a
visualized form: The transformation of two dimensional numbers
into usable three dimensional space through the support of graphic
translation. It can aid a surgeon navigating the brain during surgery,
or test a missile launch encryption without actually ring the missile.
DECODING DESIGN: UNDERSTANDING AND USING SYMBOLS IN VISUAL COMMUNICATION | MAGGIE MACNAB | 5
Maggie Macnab 505-286-8558 www.macnabdesign.com www.decodingdesign.com 2008 MAGGIE MACNAB ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
THE H&R BLOCK LOGO IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF H&R BLOCK
10 SIMPLE STEPS INTO THE SYMBOLISM OF SHAPE.
The Number The Shapes Quality and Principle
4
Adding a fourth point to the plane of three
brings depth to the equation. A tetrahedron
illustrates the approximation of three dimen-
sions in two dimensional space, or a square
sufces as a simplied descriptor. This
shapes purpose is clear: four sides provide
stability, boundary, and secured stillness. This
is the shape we build our world withfour
sides make up sidewalks, buildings, furni-
ture, windows, paper money and city grids.
Four sides anchor us into workable, tangible
space.
Example 1: The H&R Block identity is about as plain as they come, but
clearly illustrates the purpose of the company: it communicates
that H&R deals with the monotony of tax returns so you dont
have to, and implies they have the expertise of simplifying the
complex. The next workable feature: Its a square. The shape
corresponds to the founders name and the worldly reality of
paying taxes. Its symbolism connects several fundamental
qualities about the client simultaneously.
Example 2: The Heart Hospital of New Mexico incorporates the four
directions of the Zia symbol and reects the criteria most
important to the client: human care, cardiology, and the
southwestern location. It also subtlely integrates the
symbol for hospitalthe four sided, equilateral cross.
Illness requires stabilization of health and four is the number
associated with steadfastness and security.
10 SIMPLE STEPS INTO THE SYMBOLISM OF SHAPE.
The Number The Shapes Quality and Principle
5
Three dimensional space alone is simply
structural form. Quintessence, the fth
element, animates life. Five is the number
of life and love and the number assigned to
humanity. We have ve senses, ve ngers on
each hand with which we manipulate space,
and ve toes on each foot to move through
it. We have ve appendages that extend from
our torso. Five in its most obvious form is a
pentagram or star, but within each star lives
the golden spiral, considered the most compel-
ling of proportions in our eyes. As a symbol
of regenerated life, the logarithmic spiral is
found in seedhead whorls, nautilus shells, and
divides the human face into what we consider
beautiful proportion.
Example 1: Look closely at this logo. Consider the current state of health-
care and the dominant intention of big business pharmaceutical
companies. If you read this identity as human-symbol stars
ying out of a cauldron, it implies a magical cure to what
ails us. If you read it as stars ying into a mortar and pestal,
it could imply grinding the human symbol upthat is, prot
solely for prots sake, a non-viable principle from natures
perspective. Excessive prot generates excessive waste. If its
not reciprocal, it doesnt t in natures scheme.
Example 2: This logo was designed for an acupuncture clinic in the late 90s,
before alternative healthcare was accepted as a mainstream option
to western medicine. Combining the entwined spirals of the helix (the
root of human existence) as a play on the western caduceus with the
i-ching hexagram of heaven or highest attainment, this design seam-
lessly integrates western with eastern medical modalities, and sublimates
the needle at its base. The caduceus symbol dissolves into qi or the
energetic life force that acupuncture addresses.
DECODING DESIGN: UNDERSTANDING AND USING SYMBOLS IN VISUAL COMMUNICATION | MAGGIE MACNAB | 6
Maggie Macnab 505-286-8558 www.macnabdesign.com www.decodingdesign.com 2008 MAGGIE MACNAB ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
THE WALGREENS LOGO IS A TRADEMARK OF WALGREENS CO.
8
10 SIMPLE STEPS INTO THE SYMBOLISM OF SHAPE.
The Number The Shapes Quality and Principle
9
As the last of the single digits, nine is the nth
degree; the ultimate, the highest, the best,
the pinnacle of attainment (dressing to
the nines for instance, cloud nine, or the
whole nine yards). There are nine planets
in our solar system, nine levels in the Mayan
temple and many pagodas, nine openings in
the human (and most other animals) body,
and a cross section of cilia (the ne exten-
sions that propel a cell forward), or the tail of
a spermatozoa have a 9x2 array of tubules
inside, propelling life ever forward. And, of
course, there are nine months in human gesta-
tion. After nine comes a new cycle: nine
and new are related in many languages.
Example 1: In this logo re-designed by Mark Fox for Everready batteries,
the emphasis is on the enduring folktale of a cat having nine
lives. This metaphor has been perpetuated because of a cats
amazing dexterity and balance, and their ability to come
through harrowing events that would kill a less skilled animal.
Example 2: The magic square is a numerical conguration comprised of nine
digits in which each row, column and diagonal total a constant
sum. The smallest is on the order of 3, as shown on the right.
As the center number in the single digits between 1 and 9, ve
holds the center of this square. This number imparts the sense of
highest order in physical space and has been used cross cultur-
ally in architecture, city plans, and even in the plotting of Chinas
landscape as the Middle Kingdom of the world.
DECODING DESIGN: UNDERSTANDING AND USING SYMBOLS IN VISUAL COMMUNICATION | MAGGIE MACNAB | 10
Maggie Macnab 505-286-8558 www.macnabdesign.com www.decodingdesign.com 2008 MAGGIE MACNAB ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
THE 9 LIVES LOGO IS A TRADEMARK OF EVERREADY BATTERY.