Basics Design: Typography [Paperback]

Gavin Ambrose (Author), Paul Harris (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2005 | ISBN-10: 2884790640 | ISBN-13: 978-2884790642

This further addition to AVA's Basics Design series will follow on from Format and Layout to cover the third fundamental element of graphic design, typography. Typography is the means by which a written idea is given a visual form. The selection of this visual form can dramatically affect the readability of the written idea and a reader's feelings towards it due to the hundreds, if not thousands of typefaces available. Effective use of typography can produce a neutral effect or rouse the passions, symbolise artistic, political or philosophical movements, or even express the personality of a person or organisation. Typefaces vary from clear and distinguishable letterforms that flow easily before the eye and are suitable for extended blocks of text, to more dramatic and eye-catching typefaces that grab attention and are used in newspaper headlines and advertisements. Aimed at both students and practising designers, this book will provide an in-depth exploration of typography and a thorough examination of how it informs other aspects of creative design.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An excellent resource not only for type but also for printing techniques and processes ... Very thorough, clear and concise. Good to see use of different paper stock and finishing techniques (varnishing)." Gareth Stewart, Belfast Metropolitan College, UK. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From the Back Cover

The Fundamentals of Typography (second edition) is an updated version of the popular first edition of this book, in which Ambrose and Harris introduce the fundamental principles of typographic theory and practice. It covers a wide range of subjects, including the history of typography, typographic detailing and the use of creative typography across a range of media.

Packed with clear explanations, expanded illustrations and historical and contemporary examples from leading practitioners around the world, this book offers an essential guide to the subject of typography and its role within graphic design.

 

The second edition includes considerable new and revised content from the authors, including new case studies and student exercises.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: AVA Publishing (July 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 2884790640
• ISBN-13: 978-2884790642
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,594,393 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Concise but Complete Course In What Type can do., June 19, 2006

By 

John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Typography (Basics Design) (Paperback)

One of the hardest things for a beginning designer to understand is that there are reasons for their being so many styles of type, and so many things that you can do to adjust or modify that typeface to produce the appearance and effect that you are trying to produce.

Today with the ease with which typefaces are produced using computers it is especially important that the designer working on a book, a poster, an advertisement fully understand the impact that his decisions are making on the readers.

This rather small and inexpensive book, only 175 pages long does an excellent job of introducing typography to the beginning designer. It is filled with examples that illustrate the point the author is discussing. It is rather easy reading as the author tends to show examples rather than spending a lot of time describing something. Many of the illustrations he uses are from award winning designs. The information is concise, but complete. Here is a complete course in typography for the beginning designer.

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice book, October 16, 2011

By 

Amelia - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Basics Design: Typography (Paperback)

Nice book, helpful. Nice pictures. I had to buy this book for a college class. Expected a slightly different book, but its nice nevertheless.

5.0 out of 5 stars Super Handbook, Fantastic Value., August 5, 2010

By 

Ro5ie - See all my reviews

This review is from: Typography (Basics Design) (Paperback)

What a buy! I was first attracted to the book because of the price. Browsing my local book shop I found that some of the books on typography were too bulky and completely out of my student price range. Although it is compact in size I've found this book contains as much, if not more, information than some of the other larger books. It also means I can easily carry it about with me while I'm dashing between the library, work and lectures.

This is the second title I've used in the AVA Academia Basics Design range and they are such a find, I find myself going back to them again and again. They use excellent `up to the minute' case studies which are insightful and aid my understanding of the theory. I think they work well as examples for students and also for the professional. It's really useful to see how different typographies have been used for different projects and businesses in the `real' world; from road signs to billboards, the Salvation Army to a celebration of Salvador Dali.

The book works well visually. The use of coloured pages means the typographic examples really stand out and it is clear that the author and/or the publisher have considered how important the visual element of the book is. I suppose this may seem obvious with a design book, but I was overwhelmed with just how good the book was both aesthetically and academically.