Typographic Design: Form and Communication

by Rob Carter, Philip B. Meggs, Ben Day

For more than two decades, the type book of choice for design professionals and students Typographic design has been a field in constant motion since Gutenberg first invented movable type. Staying abreast of recent developments in the field is imperative for both design professionals and students. Thoroughly updated to maintain its relevancy in today's digital world, Typographic Design, Fifth Edition continues to provide a comprehensive overview of every aspect of designing with type.

This Fifth Edition of the bestselling text in the field offers detailed coverage of such essential topicsas the anatomy of letters and type families, typographic syntax and communication, design aesthetics, and designing for legibility. Supplementing these essential topics are theoretical and structural problem-solving approaches by some of the leading design educators across the United States. Unwrapping the underlying concepts about typographic form and message, Typographic Design, Fifth Edition includes four pictorial timelines that illustrate the evolution of typography and writing within the context of world events—from the origins of writing more than 5,000 years ago to contemporary typographic applications.

Features in this new edition

A new chapter that analyzes typography on screen

New case studies featuring typographic design in books, information graphics, web design, and environmental design

New designer profiles that reveal innovative typographic design processes

Material presented in full color throughout with many new images

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

368 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.

[Yousseif Abdellatif · Rating 4 out of 5]

Typographic Design: Form and Communication is a masterclass in dissecting political theater, with Rob Carter systematically tearing down the narratives designed to keep us compliant.

[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.