A Type Primer

By John Kane

Book Overview

Practical and hands-on in approach, this book/exercise manual speaks clearly to beginning graphic designers and others involved with type about the complex meeting of message, image, and history surrounding typography. Focused on intent and content, not affect or style, it makes informed distinctions between what is appropriate and what is merely show (especially in terms of the "junk" often generated unenlightened by computer users). Filled with examples, exercises, and background information--and designed itself to reflect good typographic design--it guides readers systematically to the point where they can not only understand but demonstrate basic principles of typography, and thereby strengthen their own typographic instincts. KEY TOPICS: Basics. Development. Letters. Words and Phrases. Text. Simple Organization. Grid Systems. MARKET: For beginning graphic designers and others interested in learning the effective use of type.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0205066445
• ISBN13: 9780205066445
• Release Date: January 2011
• Publisher: Pearson
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 1.22 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.9" x 9.8"

Customer Reviews

Typography 101

I found this book to be an excellent, well organized, and easy to use tool in learning the history, classification, and organization of type. It is a great text for anyone starting out in the design field as well as for the experienced designer. I never knew exactly how much care and detail went into properly setting type until I got into this book. Mr. Kane has included excellent visual examples and some extremely useful exercises to help illustrate each subject covered in the text. The book flows very well and is a pleasurable read, and there is always something new for your eyes to take in on the next page. I had the pleasure of taking two classes taught by Mr. Kane, and he definately knows typography backwards and forwards. He, as well as his book, is a wealth of knowledge for the aspiring designer.

Very modern and practical

A great book that introduces to the beginner many of the sensitivities that one ought to have when working with type.It gives many great practical examples and exercises that makes one appreciate type on many levels. As one who is taking a class in Typography, this is a great book to have by one's side.