Because of the rapid pace of today's world, graphic designs which communicate at a glance are needed in all information areas. The essays in this book deal with various aspects of graphic design. These brief essays, each illustrated with graphics, concern the following topics: a short history of visual communication, information design, the merits of popularization, the language of graphics, styles and functions of illustration, sequence and basic visual organization, structure and the visual presentation of complex ideas, the development and uses of the picture essay, color versus black and white, special effect photographs, maps, and graphic computer capabilities. Ways of using graphics in teaching are suggested. This book presents basic concepts in graphics design but is not a how-to-do-it manual. (JK)