Title : Review of "The Elements of Typographic Style" by Robert Bringhurst
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Review of "The Elements of Typographic Style" by Robert Bringhurst
“Typography is the craft of endowing human language with durable visual form, and thus with an independent existence. Its heartwood is calligraphy — the dance, on a tiny stage, of the living, speaking hand.” —Robert Bringhurst
A guidebook on typography doesn’t have to be beautifully written, but this one is.
"The Elements of Typographic Style" by Robert Bringhurst provides a comprehensive guide to typography, covering its history, principles, and practical applications. The design and presentation of the book is inspired by Strunk and White’s equally classic treatise about writing, The Elements of Style.
Bringhurst’s book is a valuable resource for typographers and designers, delving into the mathematical and scientific aspects of font design, making it indispensible for those interested in creating and using fonts.
Core principles:
• Clarity and communication: Typography should serve the primary goal of clear and effective communication. Readability should always be prioritized over decorative flourishes.
• Rhythm and harmony: Typographic design should evoke a sense of rhythm and proportion, similar to music or poetry. This involves considerations like line spacing, letter placement, and type selection.
• Respect for tradition: Bringhurst emphasizes the importance of understanding and learning from the rich history of typography. He provides insights into different typefaces, styles, and their evolution over centuries.
Key areas covered:
• Individual characters: The book explores the design of individual letterforms, discussing the impact of shape, weight, and spacing on legibility and aesthetics.
• Typeface selection and combination: Choosing the right typeface and combining multiple typefaces effectively are crucial aspects of achieving a harmonious design.
The author offers guidance on:
• Page layout: From margins and columns to section heads and footnotes, the book details various elements of page layout and their role in guiding readers through the content.
• Special characters and multilingual typography: Bringhurst tackles the complexities of using punctuation marks, diacritics, and working with multiple languages in typographic design.
• Technical aspects: The book also covers technical aspects like kerning, leading, and justification, providing practical tips for optimizing typesetting.
Bringhurst goes beyond all these technical details to discuss the philosophical and ethical aspects of typography. The type fonts we use, and the way we use them, are like the clothes we wear, subject to taste and tradition. But typography represents the clothing worn by ideas, so getting it right is especially important.
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