Symbols play an integral role in branding programs. This book explores the visual language of symbols according to their most basic element: form. Over 1,300 symbols from all over the world are here categorized by visual type. Divested of all agendas, meanings and messages that might be associated with them, so that their composition and impact can be assessed without distraction, this allows the reader to enjoy them as a pictorial language in their own right. Every symbol is captioned with information on who it was designed for, who designed it, and what the symbol stands for. These sections are interspersed with short but detailed case studies featuring classic examples of symbols and exceptional examples of recently designed symbols. This comprehensive volume is an indispensable resource for designers working on identity systems and an engaging showcase of this exciting field. Now in a compact format.

1. Abstract -- Circles -- Transport for London -- CND (Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament) -- Squares and Rectangles -- Deutsche Bank -- Triangles -- MOT -- Paul Forrer AG -- Polygons -- Ovals and Ovoids -- Geometric Combinations -- Rhombi -- Cubes and 3-D Forms -- BAM (Royal BAM Group nv) -- The Cooper Union -- Museum fur Gegenwartskunst Siegen -- Stripes -- Plaid, Woven and Chequered Motifs -- Chevrons -- Diamonds -- Wavy Lines, Ribbons and Zigzags -- Dots -- Rings and Roundels -- Loops, Knots and Guilloche -- Curves, Crescents and Arcs -- Continental Airlines -- Nike -- Radiating (Circular) -- Munich Olympics 1972 -- Concentric (Circular) -- Rotary (Circular) -- Amorphous -- Crosses -- Arrows -- Swiss Federal Railway (SBB CFF FFS) -- British Rail -- Speech Bubbles and Punctuation -- 2. Representational -- Water, Liquid and Waves -- Snowflakes -- Fire and Flames -- Flowers -- Plants and Leaves. Contents note continued: RACE (Research for an Alternative and Clean Energy) -- Trees -- Fruits and Vegetables -- Apple -- Domesticated Animals -- Wild Animals -- WWF -- The New York Public Library -- Birds -- Sprint -- Penguin -- BOAC (British Overseas Airways Corporation) -- Fish and Other Marine Animals -- Shell -- Insects -- Extinct and Mythical Creatures -- Landscapes -- Stars -- The Sun -- Planets, Globes and Moons -- Pan Am -- Figures -- Faces -- Eyes -- CBS (Columbia Broadcasting System) -- Hands and Feet -- Architecture -- Nouveau Theatre de Montreuil -- Centre Georges Pompidou -- Transport -- Tools, Machinery and Appliances -- Everyday Objects -- Sports -- Music, Craft, Art and Fashion -- Food and Drink -- Books and Paper -- Hearts -- Crowns -- KLM -- Heraldry, Shields and Flags -- Locks and Keys.