by Kimberly Elam
© Princeton Architectural Press, 2001
At last, a mathematical explanation of how art works presented in a manner we can all understand. Geometry of Design takes the reader on a geometrical journey, lending insight and coherence to the design process by exploring the visual relationships that have foundations in mathematics as well as the essential qualities of life. This book takes a close look at a broad range of twentieth-century examples of design, architecture, and illustration (from the Barcelona chair to the Musica Viva poster, from the Braun hand-blender to the Conico kettle), revealing underlying geometric structures in their compositions. Explanations and techniques of visual analysis make the inherent mathematical relationships evident and a must-have for anyone involved in graphic arts.

Table of Contents
Proportion in Man and Nature
Architectural Proportions
Golden Section
Root Rectangles
Visual Analysis of Design
    Folies-Bérgere Poster
    Job Poster
    Bauhaus Ausstellung Poster
    L’Intransigeant Poster
    East Coast by L.N.E.R. Poster
    Barcelona Chair
    Chaise Longue
    Brno Chair
    Negerkunst Poster
    Qagon-Bar Poster
    Konstrukivisten Poster
    Der Berufsphotograph Poster
    Plywood Chair
    Konkrete Kunst Poster
    Illinois Institute of Technology Chapel
    Beethoven Poster
    Musica Viva Poster
    Pedestal Chair
    Vormgevers Poster
    Fürstenberg Porzellan Poster
    Majakovskij Poster
    Brau Handblender
    Braun Aromaster Coffee Maker
    Il Conico Kettle
    Volkswagen Beetle