Typographic Design: Form and Communication

by Rob Carter, Philip B. Meggs, Ben Day

Typographic Design: Form and Communication Second Edition Rob Carter Ben Day Philip Meggs The best-selling Typographic Design: Form and Communication filled an important need by providing designers and students with a comprehensive overview of all aspects of designing with type. It was selected for the prestigious American Institute of Graphic Arts Book Show. Now, this newly expanded edition is revised and updated to address the latest developments in electronic page design, digital type, and the revolutionary creative possibilities unleashed by these important advances. This second edition covers all aspects of designing with type, including basic terms, classification, and an extensively revised section on visual organization and typographic space. Electronic page design, also called desktop publishing, has been added to the chapter on technology. The widely acclaimed chapter on legibility has new material about legibility and the computer. Nearly 550 photographs and line images provide readers with a keen understanding of typeface usage and clarify typographic fundamentals. Theoretical and structural problem-solving approaches by design educators across America reveal underlying concepts about typographic form and message. Case studies by leading professionals provide insight into the typographic design process. Type specimens representing major categories enable readers to study typographic classification and form subtlety. Four pictorial timelines show the evolution of typography and writing within the context of world events, architectural developments, and art history. These chronologies range from the origins of writing over 5,000 years ago to the latest typesetting technology. They take readers on a fascinating journey through the invention of movable type, explosion of new typographic forms during the industrial revolution, aesthetic concerns of modernism, and functional and expressive communications in the post-industrial world. Typographic Design: Form and Communication, Second Edition, remains the most comprehensive reference available on the use of type. It will continue to be the text of choice for typography courses, as well as an essential reference for professional designers.

Genres: Design, Art, Nonfiction, Art Design, Reference, Academic, Collections

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Rob Carter (born 1949) is an American professor of typography and graphic design at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Reviews

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was intrigued by the film "Helvetica" and decided to try one of MIT's free online courses http://tiny.cc/a4Xr0 "Fundamentals of Computational Media Design." This is the textbook. It's fascinating.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm finding this to be really fascinating. It goes into depth no other typography 'manual' I've read has.

[Kn0thing · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic to be read and re-read. If you like this and are interested in the larger scope of graphic design, look for Megg's History of Graphic Design - the granddaddy textbook of graphic design.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book for a class on typography in college. It gives all the basic rules and information about typography which is very helpful for graphic designers or anyone else who wants to learn more about typography. Great book for reference!

[Hau Tran]

A much more in-depth look at typography. Currently reading, so I will have a better idea of how I like it when I finish it.

[Maggies Daisy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought it was a very informative book on Typography.

[Marius Černuševičius · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is worth revisit and its plenty of useful information about typography.

[Collin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book changed my life.