ABOUT ALPHABETS, SOME MARGINAL NOTES ON TYPE DESIGN

by Hermann Zapf

English, German (translation)

Paperback

First published September 15, 1970

About the author

Hermann Zapf (8 November 1918 – 4 June 2015) was a German type designer and calligrapher who lived in Darmstadt, Germany. He was married to the calligrapher and typeface designer Gudrun Zapf-von Hesse. Typefaces he designed include Palatino, Optima, and Zapfino. He is considered one of the greatest type designers of all time.

Reviews

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really, really interesting book (to me) and very valuable for anyone who cares about the printed word and how it looks. Was teaching magaine design and ad design at Kent State U and read scads of books on magazine design in the Spring of 1977. This was one worth specifically noting. Scholarly but very readable.

[jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

genius. this kraut rocks. he synthesizes a craft in the spirit of Aldus Manutius with progressive design inspired by MIT colleagues to invent new ways to see the Art of the Book. plus he has a really good credo. i dig him.