As mentioned by Tiffany, the Triumvirate of books is a good beginning. You might also consider telling everyone what aspects of typography interest you most. Type design? History of letterforms? Proper usage of type? Technical development?, etc. We may be able to then suggest some books which are directed to your specific interest. At any rate, Welcome to Typophile!
Any book that covers too large a span of time is more than likely to not give you the depth you really need. I’d avoid books like that if what you are hoping for is any amount of depth.
theres one pulished in i think 1999 and one in 1995. theres a new one coming out in
Jan 2007. are they the same book or are they kind of updated tahn the previous one. thanks.
The only difference is that the 1999 version is paperback—and perhaps therefore a bit cheaper :-) I have the paperback version. I am sure either is fine.
The 2007 version may have some minor update but probably not a big change.
ChrisL
PS: To answer Tiffany’s concern about depth, the back of the book contains a suggested reading list to give you more depth if you get hooked on the subject (as many of us here are). I thought you were looking for an overview to get you started. There are thousands of years of material to cover.
Always keep your eyes open at used book stores: good books on type/typography are’t exactly big sellers or frequent finds, so often they’re insanely expensive, but I found my used copy of The Form of the Book (and in excelent condition) for $10. As for the original query, early on I found Chappell/Bringhurst’s A Short History of the Printed Word quite educational (like The Form of the Book, also published by Hartley & Marks).
Hi
I have the following recommendations - to have a thoroughly rounded introduction to typography (first three form the Typographic Triumvirate):
Elements of Typographic Style, Robert Bringhurst (3rd Ed.)
Letters of Credit, Walter Tracy.
Anatomy of a Typeface, Alexander Lawson
+
Short History of the Printed Word, Chappell & BRINGHURST (Rev ed.) - brilliant intro’ to the history of type
The Complete Manual of Typography, James Felici (2003) - good accompaniment to ’Elements’.
Making & Breaking The Grid: A Layout Design Workshop, Timothy Samara (2003) – good intro’ to grids
Type & Typography, Andrew Haslam & Phil Baines - well rounded book with invaluable glossaries.
I have more suggestions – just shout if you’d like them.
But, if I had to recommend just one it would be the very first text - Elements of Typographic Style.
Hi guys.. not wanting to start another thread, since this is pretty much the same case.. I need an article on typography for a class reading, any suggestions? The only thing- the author must be a practitioner of typography/ type design/ communication design!
The elements of typographic style (Robert Bringhurst) virtually being the bible for us all, is something I’m trying to avoid, since a number of students in my class would have picked up the same book!
Help!
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6.Oct.2006 8.15am
A good place to start is the with Typographic Triumvirate.
6.Oct.2006 8.27am
Faz,
As mentioned by Tiffany, the Triumvirate of books is a good beginning. You might also consider telling everyone what aspects of typography interest you most. Type design? History of letterforms? Proper usage of type? Technical development?, etc. We may be able to then suggest some books which are directed to your specific interest. At any rate, Welcome to Typophile!
ChrisL
9.Oct.2006 11.30am
History of type from the Mesapotania to now if possible.thanks
9.Oct.2006 12.06pm
“The Story of Writing” by Andrew Robinson,
ChrisL
9.Oct.2006 12.10pm
Another good one is:
“Type and Typography” by Phil Baines and Andrew Haslam
ChrisL
9.Oct.2006 12.11pm
thanks chris
9.Oct.2006 12.22pm
Any book that covers too large a span of time is more than likely to not give you the depth you really need. I’d avoid books like that if what you are hoping for is any amount of depth.
10.Oct.2006 12.38am
theres one pulished in i think 1999 and one in 1995. theres a new one coming out in
Jan 2007. are they the same book or are they kind of updated tahn the previous one. thanks.
10.Oct.2006 12.39am
sorry chris i mean the book the story of writing.
10.Oct.2006 12.39am
sorry chris i mean the book the story of writing.
10.Oct.2006 5.55am
Faz,
The only difference is that the 1999 version is paperback—and perhaps therefore a bit cheaper :-) I have the paperback version. I am sure either is fine.
The 2007 version may have some minor update but probably not a big change.
ChrisL
PS: To answer Tiffany’s concern about depth, the back of the book contains a suggested reading list to give you more depth if you get hooked on the subject (as many of us here are). I thought you were looking for an overview to get you started. There are thousands of years of material to cover.
10.Oct.2006 9.25am
A couple of my favorites (and less likely to be mentioned than the excellent Elements of Typographic Style):
Letters of Credit — Walter Tracy
The Form of the Book — Jan Tschichold
10.Oct.2006 9.55am
>The Form of the Book — Jan Tschichold
This is a great book—I looked at it at a library—but it is out of print and 2nd hand copies cost over $100 :(
10.Oct.2006 10.33am
Always keep your eyes open at used book stores: good books on type/typography are’t exactly big sellers or frequent finds, so often they’re insanely expensive, but I found my used copy of The Form of the Book (and in excelent condition) for $10. As for the original query, early on I found Chappell/Bringhurst’s A Short History of the Printed Word quite educational (like The Form of the Book, also published by Hartley & Marks).
13.Oct.2006 9.14am
thanks all, see what i can get my hands on.
30.Nov.2006 9.42am
Next to Bringhurst’s Elements of Typographic Style I can recommend the First Principles of Typography by Stanley Morrison.
Regards,
Artur
***********************************************
new release at www.ourtype.com : Parry and Parry Grotesque
3.Jan.2007 9.34pm
karen cheng: designing type
great book!!!
7.Jan.2007 12.06am
found a list on http://www.patricialillie.com/OBooklist.html
8.Jan.2007 12.29am
how can people not mention:
Stop Stealing Sheep & Find Out How Type Works: Eric Spiekermann
and
Typography: Ambrose & Harris
very good!!!
6.Jan.2008 10.42am
The Logo, Font and Lettering Bible - Leslie Cabarga.
6.Jan.2008 3.06pm
I have read the Stop Stealing Sheep and Type and Typography book. Thank you all for posting.
12.Jan.2008 6.39am
Hi
I have the following recommendations - to have a thoroughly rounded introduction to typography (first three form the Typographic Triumvirate):
Elements of Typographic Style, Robert Bringhurst (3rd Ed.)
Letters of Credit, Walter Tracy.
Anatomy of a Typeface, Alexander Lawson
+
Short History of the Printed Word, Chappell & BRINGHURST (Rev ed.) - brilliant intro’ to the history of type
The Complete Manual of Typography, James Felici (2003) - good accompaniment to ’Elements’.
Making & Breaking The Grid: A Layout Design Workshop, Timothy Samara (2003) – good intro’ to grids
Type & Typography, Andrew Haslam & Phil Baines - well rounded book with invaluable glossaries.
I have more suggestions – just shout if you’d like them.
But, if I had to recommend just one it would be the very first text - Elements of Typographic Style.
17.Jan.2008 7.20pm
Thankyou :) Very much appreciated.
6.Aug.2008 12.40pm
Hi guys.. not wanting to start another thread, since this is pretty much the same case.. I need an article on typography for a class reading, any suggestions? The only thing- the author must be a practitioner of typography/ type design/ communication design!
The elements of typographic style (Robert Bringhurst) virtually being the bible for us all, is something I’m trying to avoid, since a number of students in my class would have picked up the same book!
Help!