Typography is more than just choosing font. Elements font in a brand affects many things. Starting from readability to its aesthetics. Regardless of your day job, anyone can have an interest in typography. Be it a graphic or fashion designer, a gardener, a teacher, or an airplane pilot, even a lawyer. Anyone and everyone is possible. Don't worry about drowning as long as you choose a reliable source, Written has eight book recommendations about typography for you to read.
1. Typography in Graphic Design
This is the first book on typography published in Indonesia. Written by Danton Sihombing, and edited by Wagiono Sunarto. This book discusses visual communication design from the POV of letters. What you can understand from this publication is to understand typographic elements based on the development of a short and concise design history.
From this book published in 2001, you will learn what the role of typography was in each era. There are also techniques and terminologies used in the world of typography. There are also things that are often taken for granted, such as the origin of Lorem Ipsum, or why there are novels that you never finish or vice versa.
For those of you who are pursuing graphic design or visual communication, this book is for you. Typography in Graphic Design is the right choice.
2. Lettering Conversations: Typographic Principles of Design
More modern than the first recommendation, this book written by FX 'Koskow' Widyatmoko was published in the midst of the 2021 pandemic. As an observer, Koskow always cultivates everything from an everyday conversation.
In this book, he also writes what role typography plays in a design. What it influences, and what role it plays in the whole. Koskow's name is familiar to students who pursue design, especially typography. From this book, you will explore two factors in typography, namely internal and external. When you buy it, prepare yourself to enter the head of a living observer.
3. Thinking with Type: A Critical Guide for Designers, Writers, Editors, & Students
Words from Ellen Lupton, author of Thinking with Type, made the opener of the Written article on understanding typography in general. Thinking with Type is often recommended for beginners.
This book guides you through the cognitive aspects of typography. Ellen is very good at it. Like a novel Harry Potter, This book is easy to understand and can be read by anyone. Like rating movie, this book is in the 'all ages' category. Designers must have one, writers must have, at the very least, read it, and of course, students studying the discipline must have one. Thinking with Type as a "dictionary".
4. Just My Type
A play on the title!
A title that reflects message from Simon Garfield. As the author, Simon will not bejudge if you like Comic Sans or Comic Sans MS. Everyone likes different things. And, it's different with other typography book recommendations, Just My Type explains in simple terms why instantly font and typography became popular.
Not to be missed in this roundup is the development of typography over time. (Yes, just like the previous recommendations anyway.) Books Just My Type can be used as light read to understand typography. Simon packs his explanations in a unique way. For example, do you know why Vicki Walker, an accountant in New Zealand, was fired after using all caps?
5. Stop Stealing Sheep & Find Out How Type Works
Erik Spiekermann humorously conveys fundamental information on this topic in his book. Published in the early '90s, many examples dissect the use of typography on a printed medium. Including facsimile machines. The latest edition has included the use of typography in media Online too.
However, not everyone can accept what Erik says in this book. Some find it too playful so there's nothing weighty in it. It all depends on where you look at it from. Here, Erik doesn't do muchhighlights design element, but rather talk about the font itself.
This strange and long title is a reference to an American designer, who you might recognize through his creations: Goudy Old Style.
6. The Anatomy of Type: A Graphic Guide to 100 Typefaces
Really this book is guide. Written by Stephen Coles, The Anatomy of Type discusses in detail every letter that exists in the modern world. For beginners, this book provides so many stories about alphabets, their creators, to foundry or the factory.
For those of you who are already experienced in this department, let Stephen accompany you to reminisce. Do the math refreshing.
7. Type on Screen
Like sequel, Type on Screen is a continuation of Thinking with Type written by Ellen Lupton. The cover is similar to the previous one. The difference is role Ellen is the editor. The research and writing were done by students at the Maryland Institute College of Art, where Ellen teaches.
It's more about typography in technology, Type of Screen focus on online publications, websites, videos, and gadgets smartphones that we hold in our hands at all times. Everyday we move around looking at a screen that has text on it. Type on Screen you can use as a guideline to choose font at screen, how to set up animation aesthetics on text, even play with code-based systems.
On her Instagram account, @EllenLupton often share interesting content about typography that is easy to understand and relatable.
8. On Web Typography
In short, Jason Santa Maria's writing addresses the issue of how to apply typographic principles in the ever-changing and constantly moving digital context.
On Web Typography including books that are easy to understand. Jason starts his book with a section How We Read, which can be read online. From there, you can already guess that the author of On Web Typography It addresses an important issue that he himself experienced in his daily life.
Books ranging from serious to playful, everyone's favorite until not everyone's cup of tea already Written outlined above. These eight typography-related book recommendations are guaranteed to give you a solid foundation to get started in the world of typography.
