In this beautiful and extraordinary zen calligraphy book, Shozo Sato, an internationally recognized master of traditional Zen arts, teaches the art of Japanese calligraphy through the power and wisdom of Zen poetry. Single-line Zen Buddhist koan aphorisms, or zengo, are one of the most common subjects for the traditional Japanese brush calligraphy known as shodo. Regarded as one of the key disciplines in fostering the focused, meditative state of mind so essential to Zen, shodo calligraphy is practiced regularly by all students of Zen Buddhism in Japan. After providing a brief history of Japanese calligraphy and its close relationship with the teachings of Zen Buddhism, Sato explains the necessary supplies and fundamental brushstroke skills that you'll need. He goes on to present thirty zengo, each featuring: An example by a skilled Zen monk or master calligrapher An explanation of the individual characters and the Zen koan as a whole Step-by-step instructions on how to paint the phrase in a number of styles (Kaisho, Gyosho, Sosho) A stunning volume on the intersection of Japanese aesthetics and Zen Buddhist thought, Shodo: The Quiet Art of Japanese Zen Calligraphy guides both beginning and advanced students to a deeper understanding of the unique brush painting art form of shodo calligraphy. Shodo calligraphy topics include: The Art of Kanji The Four Treasures of Shodo Ideogram Zengo Students of Shodo

Icons shape the way we see the world around us in business, communication, entertainment, and much more. Now is your chance to learn to speak the textless language of icons with Thinking in Icons. From the most refined corporate visual systems to the ubiquitous emoji, icons have become an international language of symbols as well as a way to make a wholly unique statement. Without even realizing it, billions of people interpret the language of icons each day, this is the designer's guide to creating the next great statement. In Thinking in Icons, artist and designer Felix Sockwell--logo developer for Appleand other high-profile companies, as well as GUI creator for the New York Times app--takes you through the process of creating an effective icon. You will cover many styles and visual approaches to this deceptively complex art. Sockwell also offers examples of his collaborations with Stefan Sagmeister, Debbie Millman, and other luminary designers. Thinking in Icons also features the work Sockwell has done with an impressive roster of blue-chip international brands, including Facebook, Google, Hasbro, Sony and Yahoo.

"Amusing Alphabet Mazes" makes typography puzzling with 80 mazes in a variety of shapes and display styles, all constructed with letters of the alphabet. The mazes range from fairly easy to moderately difficult and are appropriate for both older children and adults. All mazes are classic mazes with an entry and one path to the exit and over 20 of them are created using tessellation patterns of letters. Solutions are provide at the end of the book. (This book is not meant for pre-school or Kindergarten children trying to learn their ABCs. If you are looking for that type of book, consider the author's "Easy Alphabet Mazes." "Tessellating Alphabet Mazes for Kids" is slightly more difficult and also for children. Two other maze books based on letters that are meant for adults are the author's "Puzzling Typography" and "Puzzling Typography A Sequel.")