Our all time best selling book is now available in a revised and expanded second edition. Thinking with Type is the definitive guide to using typog...
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Mar 31, 2009
Princeton
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The organization of letters on a blank sheet—or screen—is the most basic challenge facing anyone who practices design. What type of font to use? How big? How should those letters, words, and paragraphs be aligned, spaced, ordered, shaped, and otherwise manipulated? In this groundbreaking new primer, leading design educator and historian Ellen Lupton provides clear and concise guidance for anyone learning or brushing up on their typographic skills.
Thinking with Type is divided into th More...
Thinking with Type is divided into th More...
Mar 26, 2009
Andy
rated it:
Editorial Reviews
Azure:
"Lupton is at her best communicating visually - as when she repeats words and phrases in a variety of fonts and point sizes to illustrate what type can do. Lupton also makes good use of old and new examples, ranging from 13th-century manuscripts to concert posters from present day. The stars of graphic design are amply represented (Abbott Miller, Bruce Mau, Stefan Sagmeister), but so are dozens of typographic designers, both well known (John Baskervi More...
Azure:
"Lupton is at her best communicating visually - as when she repeats words and phrases in a variety of fonts and point sizes to illustrate what type can do. Lupton also makes good use of old and new examples, ranging from 13th-century manuscripts to concert posters from present day. The stars of graphic design are amply represented (Abbott Miller, Bruce Mau, Stefan Sagmeister), but so are dozens of typographic designers, both well known (John Baskervi More...
May 28, 2008
I bought this while drunk. See what happens when you wander around in bookstores, wasted, after just getting a paycheck? Now I feel pretty embarrassed; it's not a bad book but it still has that aura of things uncreative people buy to make themselves think they're creative (*cough* art directors *cough*).
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Feb 14, 2011
J.E.
rated it: 
As an introduction to typography and thinking about type and text in terms of page and book design, this is a fine book.
The author wrote the book as a text for her introductory level class on the subject. As a result, it is helpfully inclusive of history and even philosophy in addition to technical details, and yet it handles these concisely. It is far from an exhaustive volume when it comes to this subject, but it does offer a comprehensive look at the basics.
If you already More...
The author wrote the book as a text for her introductory level class on the subject. As a result, it is helpfully inclusive of history and even philosophy in addition to technical details, and yet it handles these concisely. It is far from an exhaustive volume when it comes to this subject, but it does offer a comprehensive look at the basics.
If you already More...
Aug 23, 2007
lydia
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oh so fascinating! the evolution of type, a basic history, and practical applications. very useful for those not formally trained in typography and/or design.
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Sep 25, 2010
Melissa
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This book teaches a lot of great basic (and some not-so-basic) rules of typgraphy in a very clear and creative format. There are short chapters and lots and lots (and lots) of illustrations showing the concepts, and different ways to use typography to help convey mood and ideas and make the text more readable. And I liked the "Type Crime" examples of how *not* to do it, like vertically stacking lower case letters or leaving ugly widows.
Very helpful if you want to make attract More...
Very helpful if you want to make attract More...
Nov 26, 2008
Matt
rated it:
Thinking with Type was a great little read. I don't really read that many books on the theory of design, but this one makes me certainly want to read more. Ellen Lupton does a good job of laying out the why and how of typography showing a detailed overview of not only print design, but also web design and how it relates to each.
I would recommended this book to anyone who is in any design related field. This is such an easy read, with such great info there is no reason to pass it up More...
I would recommended this book to anyone who is in any design related field. This is such an easy read, with such great info there is no reason to pass it up More...
Mar 09, 2009
Ryan
rated it:
An excellent introduction to the basics of typography and graphic design, aimed squarely at beginning students of graphic design. Lupton incorporates both modern and historic examples as she moves through the three main sections of the book: letter, type, and grid. The big drawback of this book is that it is overly simplistic. For a more detailed typographic education, follow this up with the more advanced infinitely more hard-core Elements of Typographic Style by Robert Bringhurst.
Jan 26, 2012
Alex
rated it: 
I read somewhere that Steve Jobs had an early interest in typography and that it helped engender an attention to detail in his approach to good design. Also, my brother has a healthy appreciation for typography. So, I thought I'd try to learn a little of what it was all about.
This book was a great primer on the principles of typography. I'm glad I read it. I now pay more attention to typography everywhere around me.
Now, how do I change the font of this review to Gotham?
This book was a great primer on the principles of typography. I'm glad I read it. I now pay more attention to typography everywhere around me.
Now, how do I change the font of this review to Gotham?
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Aug 19, 2009
Zaveqna
rated it: 
Интересна е ако нищо не си чувал по темата, но има по-скоро теоретично и историческо звучене, отколкото да те учи реално как да правиш нещо... Не е лоша, де, ама не е впечатляваща, освен с външния си вид :)
Sep 15, 2011
Stanislav
rated it:
Originally designed for ellen Lupton's typograpy class. By showing type examples and discussing why certain approaches work while others fail Ellen is able to shed some light on typography in a fun informative way. Providing insight and reasoning in the use of various typographic styles. Serif, Slab, Sans Etc...
Apr 13, 2008
Hannah Jo
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Thank you, Librarian Wonder, for bringing this book to my attention. By reading it, I was able to get back in touch with my inner font geek. I love all things related to type and type design, so it was a treat to immerse myself in this world again for a bit.
I do wish, however, that the editors/proofreaders had been better because it seemed especially sad to find typographical errors in a book about type. On the other hand, this book was exceptional in a couple of ways -- in its use o More...
I do wish, however, that the editors/proofreaders had been better because it seemed especially sad to find typographical errors in a book about type. On the other hand, this book was exceptional in a couple of ways -- in its use o More...
Feb 03, 2009
Patrick
rated it:
Original reference for this book from: http://www.toolness.com/wp/?p=441
I was disappointed with the book. Too much time spent on fonts, not enough on layout, very little actual text because there were so many examples. The appendix was a complete waste of time for me (grammatical errors to avoid, how to copy/edit).
On the other hand, the small amount of text was actually pretty good, and the examples, pictures, etc were OUTSTANDING. This is a gorgeous book. Worth check More...
I was disappointed with the book. Too much time spent on fonts, not enough on layout, very little actual text because there were so many examples. The appendix was a complete waste of time for me (grammatical errors to avoid, how to copy/edit).
On the other hand, the small amount of text was actually pretty good, and the examples, pictures, etc were OUTSTANDING. This is a gorgeous book. Worth check More...
Dec 07, 2009
Cody
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This book is wonderful and should be on every designers and illustrators shelf. The book explains and shows examples of every type of font (serif, sans-serif, slab, egyptian, etc.) their history, the anatomy of letters, and uses in normal every day life.
Oct 12, 2010
Mandy
rated it:
super-approachable beginner's guide to type and typography. even interesting just for the hobbyist. Within the first five pages, you learn why Uppercase and Lowercase are so named... that information alone was worth the price of the book.
Feb 09, 2010
duane
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Ellen Lupton does a fantastic job of discussing the history and evolution of type. Extensive but not all-encompassing, it's a great read for those who may not know a lot about typography and design nerds as well.
Dec 12, 2008
Caleb
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This book is invaluable to those who are interested in typography. It is not a text book or a "how-to" book but more of a very brief history of type and design utilizing type.
One of my favorites!
One of my favorites!
May 12, 2010
Murray
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Good, but just not what I expected. Has explanations and discussion between examples, sharing ideas on letterform, text, and use of grid. Includes history and good points on computer and web-based usage. But I found I like other type books better (i.e. Carl Dair's 'Design With Type')
Mar 17, 2009
I take this off the shelf every time I design a book, magazine, or screed. It always helps me keep things lovely and organized. A key design reference text, and feels good in the hand, too.
Jan 08, 2011
Salem
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What can I say. "Life changing" doesn’t begin to describe it. Clarity, distillation, and beauty. The week during which you finish reading this will be a very exciting week. You’ll start noticing typography with a new set of eyes.
Sep 25, 2007
Erik
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From time to time I buy resource books and out of all of my purchases this may be the most handy. Besides being beautifully laid out and a pleasure to read, there is a wealth of information for designers of all experience levels. Thinking with Type provides a nice overview of the history of typography starting with the first typefaces to desktop publishing. From type the subject matter shifts to basic design principles and there is also a nice intro to grids. To top it off there is an excellent
More...
Oct 07, 2011
Steph
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A great primer for someone who wants to know more about fonts. It includes some good history, and the design and graphics make it really fun and accessible to all audiences.
Feb 18, 2011
Dasha
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I've been reduced to only reading school books these days - but as far as those go - this is a pretty great one - if you want a basic overview of what typography actually means.
Sep 21, 2011
David
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Absolutely a wonderful book on the history, uses, and art of typography. The writing was clear and understandable, yet compelling and refined. Well done Ellen Lupton.
Feb 02, 2011
Pete
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Lovely book. Lupton gives you lots on the history of typography, but in this new edition also really ties past to present with loads of practical advice for print and digital designers alike.
Jan 06, 2011
Kirstie
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I love this book! It's my favorite one out of all the ones we're using for my design class. It's wonderfully designed and easy to follow and understand.
Mar 07, 2008
Librarian
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I have a major problem in my life and it is the following: COMIC SANS. Librarians love the Comic Sans, people! It is everywhere, and it drives me batshit insane. Even the typographer who invented the damn thing says it should not be used as a general typeface! COME ON! If you want to expand your font knowledge, this is the book to read. It gives you a bare bones, easy to read history of typography, and more interestingly, hands-on tips on things like what the "weight" of downstro
More...
Jan 02, 2012
Leanne
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a good basic introduction to typography which covers all the need to knows and certainly gives you enough to be thinking about when starting out. lupton uses typographical devices to illustrate concepts very cleverly.
Jan 30, 2012
carmen!
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i'm trying to read more design books. this was a textbook i had in college, and it's super fun to read. any other recommendations?
Aug 29, 2011
Ethan
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Thinking with Type (2nd ed) is a fascinating, accessible and up-to-the-minute resource on typography. Ellen Lupton does a great job of both teaching typography fundamentals and the modern technical issues of using type on the web.
I wish I had started learning about type with this book instead of older, more ponderous works on the same subject.
I wish I had started learning about type with this book instead of older, more ponderous works on the same subject.
