Ambigrams Revealed: A Graphic Designer's Guide to Creating Typographic Art Using Optical Illusions, Symmetry, and Visual Perception

An ambigram is a typographical creation that presents two or more separate words within the same physical space. Although ambigrams have been around since the 70s, they've only recently been thrust into the limelight with the publication of Dan Brown's novel Angels and Demons, as well as appearing on various clothing lines and becoming very popular in the body art industry.

This small, quirky art and design book will showcase ambigrams culled from a call-for-entry to designers from around the world. The author has lined up an all-star panel of design judges to evaluate the entries and critique the best of the best for inclusion in the book. The book showcases diverse artwork from all parts of the world and serves as an introduction to this artistic movement. In the book's introduction, each judge will include his or her own definition of what makes a successful ambigram. The core of the book will showcase the best work chosen from the entries received. Each entry will include commentary from the judges on what makes the ambigram successful. A selection of the ambigrams will be featured and the process and challenges for its creation will be described in more detail. The book also includes a section explaining how ambigrams are relevant to traditional typography and core design principles as well as a section that features several in-depth, step-by-step tutorials for creating ambigrams from start to finish.

Typography, when coupled with unbridled creativity, craftsmanship, and obsession, can take the mesmerizing form of an ambigram. Ambigrams are typographic designs that combine optical illusion, symmetry, and visual perception. The resulting word or phrase can be read in any number of orientations, viewpoints, or directions.

Here is your master class in the art and craft of the ambigram! Curated by graphic and ambigram designer Nikita Prokhorov, this book offers a thorough introduction to the esoteric artistic movement made popular by Dan Brown’s novel Angels & Demons. You’ll find insightful introductions to the ambigram from an allstar panel of design judges, including Scott Kim, John Langdon, Maggie Macnab, Cheryl Savala, Jessica Hische, Stefan G. Bucher, and Scot Morris. Next comes a series of case studies that includes sketches and the thought process behind the creation of some fascinating ambigrams. Finally, the showcase section presents numerous curated artworks from ambigramists around the world. Equipped with the expert techniques and inspiring examples found in these pages, you’ll be ready to start creating your own ambigrams!

• Stunning showcase of ambigram artwork from around the world
• Insightful commentary from an all-star panel of ambigram luminaries
• In-depth case studies illustrating the creation of ambigrams from start to finish

Nikita Prokhorov is a graphic designer and a former college professor of graphic design. He has been freelancing as a designer for the last ten years and has worked as an advertising designer for Scuba Diving Magazine, as well as for several firms in NYC, where he is currently residing. His work has been published in HOW Magazine, Logolounge, and several other collections of logo/identity books. For the last 3 years, he has been developing content for (as well as running and maintaining) Ambigram.com, the largest ambigram community in the world. In his time off from graphic design, he pursues his other creative passions, which are ambigrams and tessellations.

Introduction

A Word from the Judges

Nikita Prokhorov

John Langdon

Scott Kim

Maggie Macnab

Cheryl Savala

Case Studies

1 / John Langdon — Syzygy

2 / Cleber Faria — History

3 / Daniel Dostal — Wishmaster

4 / Elwin Gill — San Diego

5 / Mark Palmer — Shark Attack

6 / Nicholas Gilbert — Dirty/Clean

7 / Carl “COSM” Mehling — Tempt

8 / Seb Lester — Heaven In Blazing Sunshine

9 / Martijn Slegers — Mystery Gift

10 / NAGFA — King Fisher

11 / Clayton Mabey — John Langdon/Scott Kim

12 / Jen Winklepleck — Unseen

13 / Bastian Pinnenberg — Snapstar

14 / Eugene Uymatiao — Turn of Phrase

15 / Kai Hammond — Alphabet

Ambigram Showcase

Top Ten Ti ps for Creating Ambigrams

Resources

Credits