This book takes a deep dive into visual design structures, focusing on the timeless principles of movement, space, and composition. While design tools and technologies continue to change, these core principles remain just as important. Written in a clear and engaging style, it’s perfect for students looking to build their foundation in design, and also a great resource for professionals who want to revisit or sharpen their skills.
The book goes beyond the basics of design, introducing fresh ideas and approaches. It explores how graphic design is understood through systems, spontaneity, and contrast, and shows how abstract concepts can be turned into visuals that are easy to understand. Just like early humans used cave paintings to tell stories, today’s design can communicate powerful messages through abstraction and creativity.
Later chapters explore how visual design has evolved with technology, including the impact of Moore’s Law. This opens up new ways of thinking about space and design, encouraging readers to think outside the box and consider new possibilities for how we interact with visual elements.
As we look ahead to the possibility of communicating across the universe and discovering new worlds, visual design will play an even bigger role. With over 7,000 languages spoken around the world, we need universal visual systems that everyone can understand. This book offers a glimpse into the future of design, where visual systems and symbols will help bridge gaps and bring people together in new ways.
“The book as a guided tool for experimentation and exploration both digital and analog promises to be essential in becoming well versed in visual language. The principles of visual arrangement of shapes are broken down to basic organizational principles and invites the reader to explore further. The book is fun, colorful, and inviting.”
Alma Hoffmann, Associate Professor, University South Alabama, USA
“Shaping Visual Structures presents a process-oriented approach to graphic design, emphasizing the dynamic interplay of composition, movement, and space. The book invites designers to blend digital precision with hands-on experimentation, fostering creativity and personal discovery.”
Ben Hannam, Chair and Associate Professor, Elon University, USA
“This is an exceptional and much-needed book. Viviana Cordova has developed an engaging and interactive publication that covers important information that helps shape our understanding of the underlying structures of design. The exercises are fun engaging and informative and you will find this book helpful, whether you are a design student, design educator or practicing designer. I highly recommend this book.”
Bernard Canniffe, Associate Professor, Iowa State University, USA
“A 'Design Playbook' to inspire experimentation. Simple assignments, explained in an easy-to-understand way, encourage you to start playing with shapes. Carla Viviana Cordova Chacon helps readers grasp the fundamentals of composition. And more! These basic exercises can also be applied to other areas, such as designing logos. Play!”
Sven Ingmar Thies, author of the book “Teaching Graphic Design”, University of Applied Arts Vienna, Austria,