A practical introduction to typography, this book analyses the basic principles and applications of type. From measuring type and classifying typefaces to organising text on a page and understanding grid systems, the author covers everything that the beginning student of graphic design needs to know. In addition, he includes a brief history of typography, numerous examples to illustrate the points raised and a series of useful exercises to help readers put basic principles into practice. Engagingly written, this book is an invaluable resource for all students of graphic design and typography.

A practical introduction to typography, this book analyzes the basic principles and applications of type. From measuring type and classifying typefaces to organizing text on a page and understanding grid systems, the author covers everything that the beginning student of graphic design needs to know. In addition, he includes a brief history of typography, numerous examples to illustrate the points raised, and a series of useful exercises to help readers put basic principles into practice.

Engagingly written, this book is an invaluable resource for the beginning graphic designer and a useful refresher far the more experienced one.

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Basics

Describing letterforms

The font

Describing typefaces

Measuring type

Comparing typefaces

Display typefaces

Development

A timeline

Text typeface classification

Letters, words, sentences

Understanding letterforms

Maintaining x-height

Form/counterform

Contrast

Reinforcing meaning

Making sentences, finding sense

Type and color

English is not Chinese

Text

Tracking: kerning and letterspacing

Formatting text

Texture

Typing is not typesetting

Leading and line length

Kinds of proportion

Components of the text page

Placing text on a page

Front matter, back matter

Indicating paragraphs

Highlighting text

Headlines within text

Widows and orphans

Columnar organization

Columnar layouts

Cross-alignment

Expressing hierarchy

Tabular matter

Type as image and information

Grid systems

introduction

An example

Components of the grid

A simple grid

Grids at large scale

Creating a grid for text

Creating a grid for text and images

Next

Selected bibliography

Index