Elements of Design ─ Rowena Reed Kostellow and the Structure of Visual Relationships

Elements of Design is a book for students and designers alike. As a design primer it includes a series of exercises that lead the reader from the manipulation of simple forms to the creation of complex solutions to difficult design problems. As a commentary on the physical relationships found in design, it teaches the reader essential lessons to better understand three-dimensional design.
Rowena Reed Kostellow taught industrial design at Pratt Institute for more than fifty years. There she developed the course of study that became the foundation for design classes around the world. This program - and the fundamental exercises on abstract visual relationships featured here - became her life-long pursuit. Rowena Reed Kostellow, the designers she trained, and the designers they in turn trained, have changed the face of American design forever.

Gail Greet Hannah is a writer specializing in design and marketing. She was a friend of Rowena Reed Kostellow and worked with her to publish her teaching method. She lives in Cold Spring Harbor.