Graphis Diagrams – Walter Herdeg (Graphis, 1974)

184 pages: 354 b/w and color examples.
Print with a good result, nice colors and some pages are transparent specially for multy-layers maps.

In 1973, the issue 165 of Graphis magazine was a special issue The Artist in the Service of Science, then published in 1974 as an hardcover edition. Herderg continue with this scientific side of graphic design with a whole book full of diagrams & abstract data graphics. A small part of the examples were published in the previous issues but most of the content was selected and published for the first time. Herdeg said:

“The purpose of this book is to show the designer how abstract facts or functions which cannot be simply depicted like natural objects may be given visual expression by suitable graphic transformation. It also reviews the means of visualizing physical and technical processes which are not perceptible to the eye. The optimum synthesis of aesthetics and information value remains the essential objective in every type of diagrammatic presentation…”

Probably one of the preciousest Graphis book, Diagrams is the synthesis of what graphic design can do at his best: giving a body to abstracts concepts and help the reader to think by himself. It could be easy to link this book to modernism style or to what is commonly called Swiss style (the cover is a perfect example). Functionnality, legibility are important keywords but a lot of graphics show that diagrams can be designed with a powerfull style without loosing it soul. With the great success of this volume (2 others augmented editions were published in 1976 & 1979) B. Martin Pedersen (new President of Graphis Press) continue in 1988 with a new serie of Graphis, numbered from 1 to… 2: well, even if some examples are great, the quality and interest are not the same for theese two editions.

A book like this is not so hard to find, Graphis was spread all over the world: copies can be found from Japan, Europe or USA without any problem. A quick search give a result of 4 copies avaiable (2 from 1974, 2 from 1976). Prices are quite high even if it’s always possible to find a nice copy for 12 euros (like mine), 178 to 217 euros are the actual rates. Post a comment with your e-mail for more informations.

Contents:

• Editors Foreword by Walter Herdeg
• Introduction by Leslie Segal
• Comparative Statistical Diagrams
• Flow Diagams, Organization Charts, etc.
• Diagram Visualizing Functions, Processes
• Tabulations, Timetables, etc.
• Cartographic Diagrams, Decorative Maps
• Diagrams used as Design Elements, Computer-plotted diagrams
• Index to Artists & Designers
• Index to Agencies & Studios
• Index to Clients &Publishers

French graphic designer and teacher Peter Gabor have done 3 complete post on his blog about Graphis Diagrams. It’s here, there and here.