ABC's of Type [Hardcover]

Allan Haley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1990

Intended for graphic designers, this text provides specialist information on typefaces. "ABC'S of Type", is a compilation of articles that originally appeared in "Step-By-Step Graphics" magazine. The book features 20 of the most popular type families, including Helvetica, Palatino, and Times Roman. It pin-points the "ABC'S" of each face under the headings "Attributes", "Background", and "Considerations for Use". Under "Attributes", Haley describes the distinguishing features of each face. "Background" provides interesting historical information about the various type styles, and "Consideration for Use" shows how each face is best used. Written in an informal but informative manner, this book is sure to become a reference resource for every graphic designer's worktable. The author Allan Haley, is the executive Vice President of International Typeface Corp. The author of "Phototypography", Haley is a regular contributor to "Step-By-Step Graphics" and "U & lc".

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill (January 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823000532
• ISBN-13: 978-0823000531
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,935,964 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vademecum of typefaces, April 4, 2002

By 

Gerardo F. Kloss (México, DF Mexico) - See all my reviews

This review is from: ABC's of Type (Hardcover)

Paracelsus said that every substance in the world can cure and every substance can kill, and that the only difference was made by dose and timing. So, the art of using substances to cure involves the wisdom of chosing among thousands of them which one, how much, how combined, and when, is adequate for an individual case.
That is why pharmacysts and physicians get thick books where they read about the origins, composition, benefits, mechanisms of action and risks of every substance, so they can decide and suggest the appropriate procedure under their professional knowledge and responsibility.
Well, Haley does that with typography.
Reviewing just a few, a well picked, an even obvious, few typefaces among the dozen thousand available to designers, Haley shows us the origins, composition, benefits, mechanisms of action and risks of each one of them as if he was talking about medicine or fine wines.
ABC's stands for Attributes, Background and Considerations for use, reviewed methodically for each typeface quoted.
No restraining and arbitrary design rules, no false aesthetic freedom. Just knowledge, experience, sensible common sense.
Just this is how this typeface works, this is how it does not work, its advantages, inconveniences, risks, for you to choose and combine after you have read this book under your own professional knowledge and responsibility.