There are 2 main types of swimming pool construction and 2 types of design.
CONCRETE POOLS
Usually finished with mosaic tiles, stone or exposed aggregate.
LINER POOLS
The interior of the shell is a PVC membrane, that can look like a concrete pool, but is a fraction of the cost to build and is better at retaining heat
DESIGNS
SKIMMER SWIMMING POOLS
This is the most common type of pool around the world. The basic principal is to shutter out the shape of the pool...
LEVEL DECK SWIMMING POOLS
The water is level with the surround and overflows the pool into a "balance" tank underground.