Table of Contents

Introduction. Type and language: The alphabet; Early printing; 1800s; The Arts and Crafts Movement; The early twentieth century; 1950s; 1960s; 1970s; 1980s; 1990s; Graphic design since 2000; Case study; Typography task. A few basics: Typefaces and fonts; Typeface anatomy; Relative and absolute measurements; X-height; Basic terminology; Majuscule and minuscule; Set width; The baseline grid; The Golden Section; The Fibonacci sequence; Dividing the page; Standard paper sizes; The page - how we read; Case study; Typography task. Letterforms: Type families; Typeweight variations; Frutiger's grid; Types of serif; Fractions; Superscript and subscript; Numerals; Diacritical marks; Punctuation; Drop and standing capitals; Dashes; Character spacing; Expert sets and special characters; Small capitals; Ligatures, diphthongs and sans serif logotypes; Italic and oblique; Type classification systems; Newspaper text faces; Case study; Typography task. Words and paragraphs: Calculating line lengths; Kerning; Automated kerning tables; Alignment; Word spacing, hyphenation and justification; Type detailing; Leading; Indents; Indexes; Case study; Typography task. Using type: Hierarchy; Colour; Surprint, overprint; knockout and reverse; Printing and type realization; Type on screen; Grids and fonts; Generating type; Vectors and rasters; Legibility and readability; Texture; Type as image; Concrete poetry, typograms, trompe l'oeil and calligrammes; Humour; Environmental typography; Vernacular; Appropriation; Ownership; Case study; Typography task. Conclusion. Glossary. Index. Contacts. Working with ethics.

Promotional Information

Introduces the fundamental principles of typographic theory and practice. It offers an essential guide to the subject of typography and its role within graphic design.

About the Author

Gavin Ambrose is a practising graphic designer. His current commercial practice includes clients from the arts sector, publishers and advertising agencies. Paul Harris is a freelance writer and editor. His work has appeared extensively in magazines and journals on both sides of the Atlantic.

Reviews

Very useful book, the anatomy of typography graphics were used as mandatory course material. Great list of resources in the back, extremely detailed captions and comments. All around a fantastic book.
*Irina Lee, State University of New York at Farmingdale, USA*

A great introduction book on typography. The book itself has excellent typography!
*Hao Chen, University of Wisconsin-Platteville, USA*

A good introduction to principles and fundamental practices.
*Corrado Morgana , University of Wales, Newport, UK*

Fundamentals of Typography offers a comprehensive look at basic typography concepts, discusses typographic history and its present-day uses, and takes a look at the future of typography.
*Dynamic Graphics magazine*