The Visual Dictionary of Graphic Design

Gavin Ambrose, Paul Harris

• Publisher: Bloomsbury Visual Arts
• Year: 2019
• Print ISBN: 9782940373437
• eBook ISBN: 9781350035270
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Design
• Subtopic: Graphic Design

The Visual Dictionary of Graphic Design is a comprehensive guide to the numerous terms used within graphic design and associated disciplines. Over 250 terms are explained and contextualized, with concise definitions accompanied by illustrations and examples taken from historical and contemporary graphic design. The dictionary covers traditional practice and process terms as well as modern terminology. It also defines a wide variety of practical terms, such as Perfect binding, Deboss and Strikethrough, as well as movements and styles including Surrealism, Psychadelia and Postmodernism.

S Saturation

The colour variation of the same tonal brightness from none to pure colour. Saturation is a measure of strength, purity or the amount of grey in relation to the hue.

Pictured centre (outlined) is a base image that can be manipulated to achieve different visual effects. It can be saturated and given added colour (right), or desaturated with colour taken away (left). This process can continue until the image is totally monochromatic or heavily saturated.

see Hue, Monochrome

S Scotch Rule & Scotch Typefaces

Scotch Rule

Scotch Rule

A typographic double line that is often used in newspapers to divide sections of information and so aid navigation. Normally the top line is thicker than the bottom one.

Scotch Typefaces

Scotch typefaces are derived from the modern style and are named after nineteenth century Scottish printed works. Characterised by fine serifs, strong vertical stress and a robust, sturdy appearance, Scotch typefaces represent the transition point between old style and modern typefaces and share characteristics from both. This page is set in Scotch Roman, a newspaper typeface that has a large x-height.

see Serif & Sans Serif, Type Anatomy, x-height

S Semaphore

A system of sending messages or short communications by holding the arms, two flags or two poles in certain positions, which are in accordance with an alphabetic code.

Short messages can also be sent using International Marine Signal Flags. In this system each letter of the alphabet and numerals 0–9 are represented by a multicoloured flag (shown below).

S Semiotics

The study of signs. Semiotics offers an explanation about how people extract meaning from words, sounds and pictures. Semiotics has three classifiers: the sign, the system and the context. A sign gives us information from its content, the system it operates within (such as a road-signage scheme), and the context within which it is placed (such as near moving machinery). Many works of art and designs include symbolic references or signs that communicate multiple layers of information.

Semiotics is culturally dependent, as different cultures will affix different values to the images, words and colours used in a sign. Pictured above is a series of crosses that illustrate that there is no single, generic way to interpret a cross. Interpretation will instead depend on cultural context.

see Signifier & Signified

S Sepia

A dark-brown ink or pigment produced from cuttlefish that is particularly associated with illustrations and photographs of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. A sepia tint can now be easily applied digitally using a filter to produce images that convey a historic or nostalgic feel.

see Filters

S Serif & Sans Serif

A small stroke at the end of a main vertical or horizontal stroke that aids reading by helping to lead the eye across a line of text. The main types of serif are illustrated below. Serif is also used as a classification for typefaces that contain decorative rounded, pointed, square or slab serif finishing strokes. A sans-serif font is one without such decorative touches and typically has little stroke varia...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Contents
• Introduction
• How to get the most out of this book
• The Dictionary
• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• V
• W
• X
• Z
• The timeline
• Conclusion
• Index of Synonyms and Cross References
• Acknowledgements & Credits
• eCopyright