This text investigates the intersection of visual design and written composition, arguing that effective communication requires a sophisticated understanding of how layout, typography, and imagery shape reader interpretation. Wysocki, a scholar in digital media and rhetoric, utilizes a framework that treats design not as mere decoration but as a fundamental rhetorical act. The book synthesizes principles of visual literacy with traditional writing instruction to provide a comprehensive approach to multimodal composition. It serves as a guide for students and practitioners to navigate the complexities of modern, screen-based, and print-based information environments.

The text is regarded as a foundational resource for students of rhetoric and composition, offering a rigorous, academic approach to the visual aspects of writing. Its focus on the mechanics of design as a communicative tool makes it a standard reference for those seeking to integrate visual and verbal literacy in their work.