The Book of Circles: Visualizing Spheres of Knowledge: (with over 300 beautiful circular artworks, infographics and illustrations from across history)

In this follow-up to his hugely popular __The Book of Trees__ and __Visual Complexity__, Manuel Lima takes us on a lively tour through millennia of circular information design. Three hundred detailed and colorful illustrations from around the world cover an encyclopedic array of subjects—architecture, urban planning, fine art, design, fashion, technology, religion, cartography, biology, astronomy, and physics, all based on the circle, the universal symbol of unity, wholeness, infinity, enlightenment, and perfection. Clay tokens used by ancient Sumerians as a system of recording trade are juxtaposed with logos of modern retailers like Target; Venn diagrams are discussed alongside the trefoil biohazard symbol, symbols of the Christian trinity, and the Olympic rings; and a diagram revealing the characteristics of ten thousand porn stars displays structural similarities to early celestial charts placing the earth at the center of the universe. Lima's introduction provides an authoritative history of the circle, and a preface describes his unique taxonomy of the many varieties of circle diagrams, rounding out this visual feast for infographics enthusiasts. Across All Regions, Cultures, And Societies, Humans Have Attributed To The Circle Ideals Of Unity, Wholeness, Infinity, Enlightenment, And Perfection. We Have Applied This Natural Shape To Countless Manmade Systems Through The Ages, From Tools, Icons, And Writing Systems To Maps, Urban Plans, And Digital Technologies. In The Book Of Circles, His Companion Volume To The Popular Book Of Trees, Manuel Lima Takes Us On A Lively Tour Through Millenia Of Information Design. Three Hundred Detailed And Colorful Illustrations Cover An Encyclopedic Array Of Subjects, Drawing Fascinating Parallels Across Time And Culture. The Clay Tokens Used By Ancient Sumerians As A System Of Recording Trade Are Juxtaposed With The Logos Of Modern Retailers Like Target; Venn Diagrams Are Discussed Side By Side With Symbols Of The Christian Trinity, The Trefoil Shape Of The Biohazard Symbol, And The Olympic Rings; A Diagram Revealing The Characteristics Of 10,000 Porn Stars Displays Structural Similarities To Early Celestial Charts Placing The Earth At The Center Of The Universe. Lima's Introduction Provides An Authoritative Description Of The Circle's Symbolism And Uses Through History, And A Preface Describes His Unique Taxomony Of The Many Varieties Of Circle Diagrams, Rounding Out This Visual Feast For Infographics Enthusiasts-- Manuel Lima. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "Across all regions, cultures, and societies, humans have attributed to the circle ideals of unity, wholeness, infinity, enlightenment, and perfection. We have applied this natural shape to countless manmade systems through the ages, from tools, icons, and writing systems to maps, urban plans, and digital technologies. In The Book of Circles, his companion volume to the popular Book of Trees, Manuel Lima takes us on a lively tour through millenia of information design. Three hundred detailed and colorful illustrations cover an encyclopedic array of subjects, drawing fascinating parallels across time and culture. The clay tokens used by ancient Sumerians as a system of recording trade are juxtaposed with the logos of modern retailers like Target; Venn diagrams are discussed side by side with symbols of the Christian trinity, the trefoil shape of the biohazard symbol, and the Olympic rings; a diagram revealing the characteristics of 10,000 porn stars displays structural similarities to early celestial charts placing the earth at the center of the universe. Lima's introduction provides an authoritative description of the circle's symbolism and uses through history, and a preface describes his unique taxomony of the many varieties of circle diagrams, rounding out this visual feast for infographics enthusiasts"-- Provided by publisher In this follow-up to his hugely popular The Book of Trees and Visual Complexity, Manuel Lima takes us on a lively tour through millennia of circular information design. Three hundred detailed and colorful illustrations from around the world cover an encyclopedic array of subjects—architecture, urban planning, fine art, design, fashion, technology, religion, cartography, biology, astronomy, and physics, all based on the circle, the universal symbol of unity, wholeness, infinity, enlightenment, and perfection. Clay tokens used by ancient Sumerians as a system of recording trade are juxtaposed with logos of modern retailers like Target; Venn diagrams are discussed alongside the trefoil biohazard symbol, symbols of the Christian trinity, and the Olympic rings; and a diagram revealing the characteristics of ten thousand porn stars displays structural similarities to early celestial charts placing the earth at the center of the universe.

Lima's introduction provides an authoritative history of the circle, and a preface describes his unique taxonomy of the many varieties of circle diagrams, rounding out this visual feast for infographics enthusiasts. Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 7 Dedication......Page 9 Contents......Page 10 Preface......Page 13 Acknowledgments......Page 15 Introduction......Page 17 1. CITIES AND ARTIFACTS......Page 24 2. IDEOGRAMS AND SYMBOLS......Page 29 PERFECTION......Page 34 UNITY......Page 37 MOVEMENT......Page 42 INFINITY......Page 48 4. ROUNDED SHAPES AND HAPPY FACES......Page 53 A Taxonomy of Circles......Page 59 Family 2 WHEELS & PIES......Page 61 Family 3 GRIDS & GRATICULES......Page 62 Family 4 EBBS & FLOWS......Page 63 Family 6 MAPS & BLUEPRINTS......Page 64 Family 7 NODES & LINKS......Page 65 Family 1 RINGS & SPIRALS......Page 67 Family 2 WHEELS & PIES......Page 93 Family 3 GRIDS & GRATICULES......Page 121 Family 4 EBBS & FLOWS......Page 149 Family 5 SHAPES & BOUNDARIES......Page 177 Family 6 MAPS & BLUEPRINTS......Page 203 Family 7 NODES & LINKS......Page 231 Bibliography......Page 259 Image Credits......Page 261 C......Page 265 E......Page 266 G......Page 267 K......Page 268 M......Page 269 P......Page 270 S......Page 271 W......Page 272 Z......Page 273 Copyright......Page 274