TWENTY TWO TIPS ON TYPOGRAPHY

by Enric Jard

This is a recipe book of twenty-two tips in creating the best typography and twenty-two things you should never do with lettering. Secrets which many designers will never reveal. In an era of typographic fundamentalism and the cult of forms, this list of dos and don'ts explodes myths and provides a fresh view of typography.



Enric Jardí is Professor of design at prominent institutions including Eina, Elisava, and Universitat Ramon Llull. He is President of the ADG-FAD, based in Catalonia, one of the most important graphic design institutions internationally.



'If they let you, use left justification; Don't fool too much with the default values; Condense and expand the lettering; Avoid certain ligatures.' Enric Jardí

Genres: Design, Nonfiction, Art Design, Art

104 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a small, practical book on Typography. It's about 4 1/2 by 6 inches. It's targeted at design students. It takes an interesting approach. It has two front covers instead of a front and back. One of the sides is 22 tips on typography, things you should do, and on the other side are 22 things you should never do. Each tip takes up 1-2 of the small pages. There are illustrations to help make the point.

Despite the size and terseness of the book it really covers a lot of what a graphic designer needs to know about typography (at least it seems that way to me who is not a graphic designer). He is a little light on the layout stuff and integrating type with images and other graphics. Also the book has no "how-to" type of stuff about how to carry out the rules in a particular software.

That's actually one of the things that attracted me to the book. As someone who teaches software I'm often frustrated with books that focus on how to use a particular software and both don't do it the way I want to teach the students and neglect some of the theory. It seems to me that a book like this, one that just covers the theory and practical application/outcomes would be a good one to use in class. It's cheap, I think about $12, and it can be used as a base from which the practical stuff can be taught and learned.

[Mauricio Villamayor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un libro sencillo, directo, fresco y lo más importante, sin la necesidad de ser pretencioso. Pocas veces me tope con autores sobre diseño que no tengan miedo de decir lo que creen por más que vayan en contra de las reglas canónicas.
Una lectura impresindible para tipógrafos que estén aprendiendo a romper ciertas reglas sin qiedar en ridículo.

[R.Friend · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun little book in the same vein as Erik Spiekermann's "Stop Stealing Sheep". Mostly common sense, but a good refresher that every designer should review once in a while.

[Luīze Sniedze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great condensed course of the laws of typography. Easily explained and visualized. Excellent for design students or people willing to work in the field of design.
(should read everyone who is still making their event posters in word with comics sans)

[Claire Kinmil · Rating 3 out of 5]

The content of the book is fine, but the translation into English is horrendous. Not only does it sound like Google Translate from 2012 translated it, there are also multiple copy-paste errors. Li Like this is. Would not recommend the translation to anyone.

[Gaztea Martínez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesante para un acercamiento a la tipografía. El autor plantea sus recomendaciones con mucha claridad y de forma justificada.

[Maya Guerau · Rating 2 out of 5]

read this for my university design class

[Shauna · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were some good tips, but it was pretty introductory (and there were some spelling mistakes) which is why I didn't give it more stars.

Some things were new/surprising for me, but it was also nice to find that I had figured out/internalized some of the tips from just bumbling around in side projects.

It's a very fast read, and I recommend flipping through it.

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though the writing feels unusual (likely due to this being a translation), this petite book talks about the philosophical and the practical aspects of typography. For someone new to typography, this seems to be a good, concise introduction. (The sloppy editing and writing style can be really annoying at times.)

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm skimming to help me prepare some exercises with type for my first year 2D design students. I found it in Eduarda's flat when I visited in November and wished all my students had a copy!

[Almudena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un recetario muy práctico y bonito con consejos sobre tipografía.

[Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

The English translation leaves much to be desired.