Adrian Frutiger: Signs and Symbols: Their Design and Meaning (1978–) [EN, FR, BR-PT]

“Universally-recognized signs and symbols have always been among the most important elements of communication. By why is it that certain configurations of dot and line, and certain primary shapes, are perceived and remembered more easily than others? Taking the six faces of dice as his starting point, Frutiger writes about signs and symbols in general and the development of writing in particular. Throughout, he relates the basic principles and components of graphics to a wide range of historical, physical, linguistic and practical considerations. He embraces everything from Egyptian hieroglyphics to modern company logos in his intriguing analysis of the way that humans have always tried to express thought and communication through graphic means. This standard work is aimed at all those concerned with graphics, design, ornament and communication in general.”

Originally published as Der Mensch und seine Zeichen, 3 vols., Weiss Verlag, Dreieich, 1978-81.

English edition
Translated by Andrew Bluhm
Publisher Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1989
ISBN 0442239181
360 pages

WorldCat (EN)

Signs and Symbols: Their Design and Meaning (English, trans. Andrew Bluhm, 1989, low res, 39 MB)
L’Homme et ses signes: signes, symboles, signaux (French, trans. Danielle Perret, 2nd ed., 1999/2014, 5 MB)
Sinais e símbolos: desenho, projeto e significado (BR-Portuguese, trans. Karina Jannini, 2nd ed., 1999/2007, 59 MB, added 2016-8-3)

See also Frutiger’s Type Sign Symbol, 1980.

I Think That Conversations Are the Best, Biggest Thing That Software Has to Offer its User (2015)

“I think that conversations are the best, biggest thing that free software has to offer its user.

An extensive collection of conversations between developers and designers involved in the wider ecosystem of Libre Graphics. Speaking to each other about tools for typography, lay-out and image processing they render a portrait of a community gradually understanding the interdependencies between Free Software and design. Conversations is edited by Femke Snelting in collaboration with Christoph Haag.”

In conversation with: Agnes Bewer, Alexandre Leray, An Mertens, Andreas Vox, Asheesh Laroia, Carla Boserman, Christina Clar, Chris Lilley, Christoph Haag, Claire Williams, Cornelia Sollfrank, Dave Crossland, Dmytry Kleiner, Denis Jacquery, Dmytri Kleiner, Eleanor Greenhalgh, Eric Schrijver, Evan Roth, Femke Snelting, Franziska Kleiner, George Williams, Gijs de Heij, Harrisson, Ivan Monroy Lopez, John Haltiwanger, John Colenbrander, Juliane De Moerlooze, Julien Deswaef, Larisa Blazic, Ludivine Loiseau, Manuel Schmalstieg, Matthew Fuller, Michael Murtaugh, Michael Terry, Michele Walther, Miguel Arana Catania, momo3010, Nicolas Malevé, Pedro Amado, Peter Westenberg, Pierre Huyghebaert, Pierre Marchand, Sarah Magnan, Stéphanie Vilayphiou, Tom Lechner, Urantsetseg Ulziikhuu, Xavier Klein.

Concept, development and design by Christoph Haag, Xavier Klein, and Femke Snelting
Edited by Thomas Buxó, Loraine Furter, Maryl Genc, Pierre Huyghebaert, and Martino Morandi
Publisher Constant, Brussels, January 2015
Free Art License 1.3
ISBN 9789081145930
351 pages

Book website

PDF, PDF (30 MB, updated on 2018-6-20)
Git

Adrian Frutiger: Type Sign Symbol (1980) [EN/DE/FR]

A comprehensive and important monograph on Swiss graphic designer and typographer, Adrian Frutiger’s lettering and type methods. With contributions by Maurice Besset, Emil Ruder and Hans Rudolf Schneebeli.

Publisher Editions ABC, Zurich, 1980
ISBN 3855040605, 9783855040605
147 pages

WorldCat

PDF (56 MB, no OCR)

See also Frutiger’s Signs and Symbols: Their Design and Meaning, 1978–.