Bob Horn's textbook definition of visual language is "the integration of words, images, and shapes into a single communication system." The combination of two or three of these elements creates something completing new to communicate and express ideas. Furthermore, this communication system is integral in decoding and encoding the world around us.

In my past career as an instructional designer, I used visual language (without knowing the formal identification) in the creation of training materials, particularly using Microsoft PowerPoint...

One interesting aspect of this book is that Horn uses visual language to drive make his points throughout the text. He practices what he preaches. The book is filled with examples that are somewhat common sensical as certain placement or size draws your eye. The use of metaphors help us understand an experience. Furthermore, combining such concepts with visual language examples, Horn shows the advantages and effect of incorporating such techniques.

In this way, Visual Language could serve a how-to manual. However, I think a supplement to this book would be appreciated. While the book is more conceptual, a how-to explanation of taking a prose idea through the process of visual language to a final new product would be powerful and useful to me as a teacher.

At times this book was difficult to read because of the density and large amount of material. The written description accompanied the images, shapes, and words. Sometimes, I wasn't sure which would be more helpful to read first. It is a similar experience to reading websites, while quite different from reading a typical textbook. While both forms are used now within the classroom, it is important to teach students good strategies for reading and experiencing both.

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