Gallery: How Arrival's Designers Crafted a Mesmerizing Alien Alphabet

  • ARRIVAL
    Jan Thijs/Paramount Pictures
    01

    Arrival3.jpg

    In Denis Villeneuve's *Arrival*, Amy Adams plays a linguist trying to communicate with alien visitors.
  • ARRIVAL
    Jan Thijs/Paramount Pictures
    02

    Arrival5.jpg

    The aliens, or Heptapods, speak in indecipherable clicks. So Louise Banks (Adams) begins documenting and analyzing their written language, which looks like coffee mug stains with protruding tarantula legs.
  • ARRIVAL
    Jan Thijs/Paramount Pictures
    03

    Arrival4.jpg

    Patrice Vermette is the designer who created the logogram language, with help from his wife, artist Martine Bertrand.
  • ARRIVAL
    Jan Thijs/Paramount Pictures
    04

    Arrival2.jpg

    Vermette always knew the alien language would appear in circles—*Arrival* screenwriter Eric Heisserer specified so in the script. The trick was creating something that wouldn't register as human, but that could follow some set of rules.
Read More
The Best Ski Clothes for Staying Warm and Having Fun
From weatherproof jackets and pants to puffers, gloves, and socks, WIRED’s winter sports experts have you covered.
Chris Haslam
The Best Apple Watch Accessories
You finally caved and bought an Apple Watch. These are our favorite bands, screen protectors, and chargers to go with your new smartwatch.
Adrienne So
The Best Automatic Litter Boxes Tested by Our Spoiled Cats
With these high-tech automatic litter boxes, gone are the days of scooping and smells. Welcome to the future.
Molly Higgins
Give Your Back a Break With Our Favorite Office Chairs
Sitting at a desk for hours? Upgrade your WFH setup and work in style with these comfy WIRED-tested seats.
Julian Chokkattu
The Best Podcasts for Everyone
Get your fix of tech, true crime, pop culture, or comedy with these audio adventures. 
Simon Hill
Death to Dry Skin. These Humidifiers Are Better Than Chapstick
From models for traveling to humidifiers that double as planters or air purifiers, we've tested a dozen of them.
Matthew Korfhage
The Best Heart Rate Monitors Check Your Cardiac Health
These chest straps and watches will help you keep your finger on your pulse—and many other heart-related metrics.
Michael Sawh
The Best Game Controller for Every Kind of Player
A great gamepad instantly levels up your play. These are our top picks for Switch, Xbox, PlayStation, and PC.
Brad Bourque
The Best Kids' Bikes for Every Age and Size
The WIRED Reviews team has kids, and we tested all types of kids’ bikes. Here are our top picks.
Adrienne So
The 11 Best Electric Bikes for Every Kind of Ride
I tested the best electric bikes in every category, from commuters and mountain bikes to foldables and cruisers.
Adrienne So
The Best Android Phones, Tested and Reviewed
Shopping for a phone can be an ordeal. That’s why we’ve tested almost every Android phone, from the smartest to the cheapest—even phones that fold—to find the ones worth your money.
Julian Chokkattu
Our Favorite Merino Wool Clothes to Keep You Comfy in Any Weather
Merino is one of the best fabrics you can wear. We explain the different blends, what “gsm” means, and how to care for your clothes.
Scott Gilbertson