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5th out of 62 books
—
34 voters
The Elements of Typographic Style
Renowned typographer and poet Robert Bringhurst brings clarity to the art of typography with this masterful style guide. Combining the practical, theoretical, and historical, this edition is completely updated, with a thorough exploration of the newest innovations in intelligent font technology, and is a must-have for graphic artists, editors, or anyone working with the pr...more
Paperback, Version 3.1 (Emended 3rd Edition), 352 pages
Published
September 27th 2004
by Hartley and Marks Publishers
(first published 1992)
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Aug 27, 2008
Jacob
added it
I am in the process of transforming myself into a book. In order to do that, I am having my spine surgically removed and removed and replaced with a smyth sewn binding. My skin is being stripped off in large patches and replaced with 12 pt cardstock with a four color cover and scuffless matte film lamination. I have hired a designer to come up with a treatment for my textual body. I can't take it anymore. Someone please take me off of the shelf and put me in your lap. I know it doesn't really ma...more
16 likes
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Yes, I seriously read a typographic style manual, but believe me, it was worth it. Not only is this a detailed, informative, and surpassingly witty survey of typography, but it's a simply beautiful book to hold and to read. It's a bit like taking an introductory lesson from a friendly architecture professor, learning about intricacies and critical minutia you had never before considered, and slowly realizing your teacher designed the room, the building, perhaps even the chair you're sitting in,...more
11 likes
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Dec 23, 2012
Chad Warner
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommended to Chad by:
Jason Santa Maria
Shelves:
non-fiction,
web-design
This book contains more than I’ve ever wanted to know about typography. It describes not only how to use fonts, but also how to create them, explaining the math and science involved in font design. It also describes techniques for laying out text on pages. It reveals the history of typography from the days of clay and early paper, to the invention of the printing press, to modern digital typography. Bringhurst has a relaxing, elegant writing style that’s a pleasure to read.
I wanted to read a typ...more
I wanted to read a typ...more
This book convinced me that there is a lot of art in typography. It convinced me that good typography can make a big difference in how good text looks in a page. And it definitely convinced me that Robert Bringhurst is a stellar typographer. But it hasn't convinced me that he can convey this knowledge effectively.
Bringhurst has deep knowledge of typography, and the historical chapter on typefaces alone makes it worth your read. However, in many instances he falls into the trap of confusing trad...more
Bringhurst has deep knowledge of typography, and the historical chapter on typefaces alone makes it worth your read. However, in many instances he falls into the trap of confusing trad...more
As the title clearly indicates, Bringhurst sets out to do for Typography what Strunk and White’s Elements of Style did for writing: condense the vast array of typographic rules into one thorough reference manual. Of course, the role of typography has vastly expanded over the past century, and the typographic rules for billboards are entirely different from those for websites. Wisely, Bringhurst restricts himself primarily to one form: the book.
Within that field, the Elements does a wonderful job...more
Within that field, the Elements does a wonderful job...more
Sep 27, 2009
Abe Goolsby
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
graphic-design,
typography
Within a short time after completing my formal education and entering my profession, I became rather painfully aware that my training in the art and craft of typography had been sorely lacking in many respects. There is an incredibly rich history and a fascinating set of accepted principles and rules which govern typography, the skillful use of letterforms and typeset matter which is a very important sub-discipline of graphic design. These were practically occult to me early in my career. I had...more
Bringhhurst presents a compilation of the big hits, as far as book fonts go, while giving his reader the skills to classify fonts in his categories. To me, his writing style is a lot like Dale Carniege's. He is mindful of his audience and he writes as if he is trying to explain something to a friend. The book as a whole is a little like a textbook. There's a lot of important information that I can't retain from just one reading. It warrants revisiting when the topics it covers come up in what so...more
I'm sure it's only the tip of the iceberg, but the book is engrossing enough that I now cast my amateur eye at any piece of text that floats my way. The author knows his stuff; better yet, he weaves humour and passion into what could have been a very dry introductory text.
Although there is a glossary in the back, I would have appreciated more graceful (read: the existence of) introductions to many of the technical terms. There were a few that weren't defined in the glossary and I had to go hunti...more
Although there is a glossary in the back, I would have appreciated more graceful (read: the existence of) introductions to many of the technical terms. There were a few that weren't defined in the glossary and I had to go hunti...more
Every now and then I need a reminder that every craft demands excellence; that good art requires attention to detail; that ignorance of fundamental principles is inexcusable. This book is one of those reminders.
As a not-even amateur typographer, I borrowed a copy to get a crash course on typography before formatting a friend’s book. Now I can’t imagine formatting an internal memo without it. It’s a thorough, beautiful, and surprisingly enjoyable introduction to the art of the printed word, to t...more
As a not-even amateur typographer, I borrowed a copy to get a crash course on typography before formatting a friend’s book. Now I can’t imagine formatting an internal memo without it. It’s a thorough, beautiful, and surprisingly enjoyable introduction to the art of the printed word, to t...more
If you care about typography, or about design, or about words and writing, this is essential reading. It's also delightful and captivating; Bringhurst is an accomplished poet and his prose radiates warmth, wit, and charm. Basically, this book is every bit as essential as you've heard and far more delightful than you can imagine.
The foreword is a good hint of what's to come. I particularly love this ’graph, towards the end, "Typography is the craft of endowing human language with a durable visual...more
The foreword is a good hint of what's to come. I particularly love this ’graph, towards the end, "Typography is the craft of endowing human language with a durable visual...more
If any of my friends also love this book, I will be surprised and very happy. It is itself a gorgeous example of restraint and class, and the information contained within is invaluable for the typographically-inclined; but anyone without a very strong interest in the most technical of typographic rules will, I fear, be bored to death. That said, I for one find it to be one of the most useful and elegant books I have ever had the good fortune to acquire.
Bringhurst brings elegance to his explanation of how text gets laid out onto a page. This book, at times, is more applicable to the days before computer layout software. However, the rules and the techniques described still pertain.
This book was instrumental when I first studied letterpress printing. I refer to it religiously when I do digital layouts and try to figure out to shape a page or what rules apply to make my text readable and legible.
This book was instrumental when I first studied letterpress printing. I refer to it religiously when I do digital layouts and try to figure out to shape a page or what rules apply to make my text readable and legible.
I read this book for a class I was taking, called Book Design and Production. Having never paid any attention to typography before this class, The Elements of Typographic Style was probably not the best way for me to go about introducing myself to the topic.
I understand that this is pretty much the typography bible, and it is certainly a beautifully designed book. However, I retained very little of what I read due to the stereotypical, highly academic Oxford lecture style that the information wa...more
I understand that this is pretty much the typography bible, and it is certainly a beautifully designed book. However, I retained very little of what I read due to the stereotypical, highly academic Oxford lecture style that the information wa...more
Pretty much required reading for any designer worth their salt. It is a must read for anyone who wants a solid background in typography. It's also self-demonstrating, and an entertaining read in-and-of itself, so, there's basically no excuse for not having read this. If you're interested in type and haven't read this yet, go do it now. You'll see immediate improvement in your understanding and decision-making process. Plus, the book is simply beautiful.
I love this book...the layout, design and format. Tonnes of useful information throughout and stellar examples of typography. However, Bringhurst is not a great communicator and I find myself unable to grok much of what he tries to convey through language. The problem may be with me, though I sense that his knowledge is lost on many readers. Regardless, this is a vital work for anyone in the book or graphic design business.
An incredibly comprehensive journey through the art and science of typography. Written with a poetic edge, the book is a romantic embrace of the world of type. The text often borders on grandiloquence, sometimes resulting in a loss of clarity, but the practical applications, and the author's overriding passion for the subject, justify this book's reputation as a classic of the field.
This book was an excellent, acerbic, and concise overview of how to properly present text.
It is an opinionated book. The author speaks definitively about all manner of subjects and if you can't handle an assertive text, it might not be for you.
The provided layout forms, and overviews of digital typefaces are worth far more than this book costs.
It is an opinionated book. The author speaks definitively about all manner of subjects and if you can't handle an assertive text, it might not be for you.
The provided layout forms, and overviews of digital typefaces are worth far more than this book costs.
You probably won't read through this book unless forced. But that's only because this book is dense with meaning. If you are looking for a book to thoroughly explain the intricacies of type in an approachable way, get this book and read it every now and then – you will be rewarded with a solid grounding in typography.
The critique of this book is that it centers around a "flowery, prose-like" description of typography and its origins, but I honestly enjoyed it very much and felt that it really delivered on the essence of what is at the heart of typographic style.
Although this book is a bit too academic for me, I rate it a perfect 5 because typography is an extensive subject that spans over 500 years and for a "novel length book" it is very comprehensive providing knowledge from a beginner to a season profesional.
This is the typographic bible. The writing style is more literary than expository, but that just makes it that much more interesting. Lots of great tables and data. It's a higher-level look at typography and a great place to start. I love this book.
Wonderful book to have, although not always to read. It is written in an idiosyncratic style and it's a pleasure that absolutely everything is thought out. Of course, it was always written as a reference guide, so best skim at first and then keep - close by if you need it, far away if you don't.
Read this if you care at all about how your writing is presented, or how other peoples' writing is presented, or if you're interested in alphabets, or the history of printing, or how many different diacritics are used when writing Vietnamese with the Latin alphabet.
Simple. Beautiful. Helpful. Classic. You can't help but gain an appreciation for the book as a beautiful and useful tool, over and above the text itself. Better yet, this book is itself a testimony to delightful design.
Un libro super completo sobre todo lo relacionado al mundo y arte de la tipografía.
Un libro imprescindible en la coleccón de cualquiera que se interesa por el mundo del diseño.
Un libro imprescindible en la coleccón de cualquiera que se interesa por el mundo del diseño.
The ultimate book on typography. Simply beautiful. It can be a quick reference guide, a manual, a teaching device, interesting and profound humanistic read. A real treasure box.
Nov 14, 2010
Jacques le fataliste et son maître
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
saggistica,
tipografia
Definitivo, ironico, stimolante, rigoroso.
Bringhurst passa in rassegna font, formati, convenzioni tipografiche ecc. connettendo fra loro i suoi oggetti di studio e inserendoli nel più ampio contesto culturale e storico: per capire che i libri e le riviste sono fatti in un certo modo perché devono essere leggibili e perché le loro forme sono, esse stesse, cultura.
Bringhurst passa in rassegna font, formati, convenzioni tipografiche ecc. connettendo fra loro i suoi oggetti di studio e inserendoli nel più ampio contesto culturale e storico: per capire che i libri e le riviste sono fatti in un certo modo perché devono essere leggibili e perché le loro forme sono, esse stesse, cultura.
Thorough to say the least! I get exhausted—but excited!—just thinking about this book. It's an entire course-load (and then some) in itself. But majorly geeky.
Absolutely indispensable. If you want to understand how to get under the hood of a page layout, this is your Chilton's guide. It's also strangely compelling reading.
A great book if you just want to read a passionate designer discuss type, and a fantastic book if you really want to learn about how to set type on a page.
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Robert Bringhurst is a Canadian poet, typographer and author. He is the author of The Elements of Typographic Style – a reference book of typefaces, glyphs and the visual and geometric arrangement of type. He has also translated works of epic poetry from Haida mythology into English.
He lives on Quadra Island, near Campbell River, British Columbia (approximately 170 km northwest of Vancouver).
More about Robert Bringhurst...
He lives on Quadra Island, near Campbell River, British Columbia (approximately 170 km northwest of Vancouver).
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“Typography is the craft of endowing human language with a durable visual form.”
—
18 people liked it
“In a badly designed book, the letters mill and stand like starving horses in a field. In a book designed by rote, they sit like stale bread and mutton on the page. In a well-made book, where designer, compositor and printer have all done their jobs, no matter how many thousands of lines and pages, the letters are alive. They dance in their seats. Sometimes they rise and dance in the margins and aisles.”
—
9 people liked it
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