Ambigram matters

By Michael Yip | March, 18, 2009 | 1 comments

Ambigram is a graphical figure that spells out one or more words not only in its form as presented, but also in another direction or orientation. The text spelled out in the other direction or orientation is often the same, but can also be a different text. Douglas R. Hofstadter describes an ambigram as a “calligraphic design that manages to squeeze two different readings into the selfsame set of curves.”

A novel that display some beautiful ambigram work is Angels and Demons by Dan Brown. He stated also that Robert Langdon character was inspired by the creator of ambigrams, John Langdon. (Spoiler Alert! Highlight the space after this if you’re curious) You’ll see the Ambigram at work when the 4 cardinals and Camerlengo get branded.

You can read my name spelled out correctly above, whether you read it normally or look at the name upside down on the screen. Ambigram also doesn’t mean the text has to be the same but it can also be different and still be an ambigram. The beauty of this art form is it’s so versatile that there’s so many ways of creating it.

Back to the movie. Are you excited with that the movie ‘Angels and is Demons’ just around the corner. Another movie adaptation of Dan Brown’s book, Tom Hanks reprises the lead role of Robert Langdon, while director Ron Howard, producer Brian Grazer and screenwriter Akiva Goldsman also returned. Ambigrams will play a big part in this movie, can’t wait to see how the branding turns out. Check out the movie trailer below.