10 Essential Books and Blogs Each Typographer Must Read
Typography books and blogs
Typography is perhaps the most useful design skill to have in our online culture. Finding the best typography blogs can be difficult, however, and many typography books are already outdated. Here is a quick guide to 5 great blogs and 5 helpful books, including books for beginning typographers/designers.
Blogs
Find a wealth of typographical knowledge and inspiration at this fun blog. Intended for the more advanced designer, webdesignerdepot.com mixes comics, font news, and small business ideas with typography advice to present a well-rounded and visually pleasing experience.
2. Line25.com
Line25 provides a daily dose of helpful lists and articles on tools and designs. Whether you need inspiration, tips, or an inside line on the latest technology, this blog can lend you a helping hand.
In its own words, Typetoken “showcases, discusses, and reviews the world of typography, icons and visual language.” Contributors from around the world provide new designs and insightful articles to designers, and this online magazine also functions as a reference to find other great design sources.
While including resources for the veteran designer, ilovetypography.com also provides articles for beginning typographers and designers. Topics like “How to Make a Font” and “Typography Terminology” land this site among the most helpful of typography blogs.
SmashingMagazine includes all kinds of web design and coding in its content, but the hefty subcategory on typography makes this blog a great tool for our purposes. Articles range from beginner through advanced designer in their focus, and the endless variety of other resources on the site will come in handy as well.
Typography Books
1. Bringhurst, Robert. The Elements of Typographic Style. Point Roberts, WA: Hartley & Marks, 2004. Print.
The Elements of Typographic Style has been a mainstay of typographers since it was originally published in 1992. Bringhurst provides insight on many designs and techniques while also discussing the philosophical nature of type itself.
2. Lupton, Ellen. Thinking with Type: A Critical Guide for Designers, Writers, Editors, & Students. New York: Princeton Architectural, 2004. Print.
Lupton divides her work into three sections: Letter, Grid, and Text. In each, she delves into the theory of the subject as well as discussing the practical applications of different typographic styles. The book functions as both a profound study and a practical guide to learning new techniques.
3. Coles, Stephen. The Anatomy of Type: A Graphic Guide to 100 Typefaces. New York: Harper Design, 2012. Print.
Coles takes the reader through a detailed analysis of 100 typefaces and explains each in historical context. He points out the design details of the fonts and subdivides them into 15 separate categories. He also provides examples and pictures to aid the reader.
4. Garfield, Simon. Just My Type: A Book about Fonts. NY, NY: Gotham, 2011. Print.
Just My Type is much more than a simple design manual or font collection. He outlines the stories behind some of history’s most iconic fonts in a humorous style that will interest even the newest of typographers. He provides information about the art of designing and the history of design in a funny, fresh way.
5. FL@33. The 3D Type Book. London: Laurence King, 2011.
Even though it explores only one kind of type, The 3D Type Book is as visually exciting as it is informative. It remains one of the most interesting typography books available. Learn about the history of this genre through the 1,300 images London-based studio FL@33 provides.
