Customer Reviews

Web Designer's Guide to Typography

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

An excellent book on beginning typography in general and typography using style sheets specifically. More comprehensive explanations of the use of type and less on the design would have been in order - The average Web designer won't be interested in creating his own font but definitely needs to know how use fonts correctly. All the advocates of graphics intensive (weighty!!) Web pages will definitely be surprised at how a page with few graphics but excellent use of type can be just as visually pleasing. If you don't have a degree in Graphic Design or wouldn't know PhotoShop from the Home Shopping Network, this book is definitely for you

I've had this book on my desk since it was first published (1997), and assumed it was actually out of print until I was looking for an updated version on Amazon (there isn't one - perhaps because there is no need - the first edition simply covers everything!).

Upon finding the same edition I use still in print, I just had to write a review, because put simply, this is one of the definitive books that every web designer needs to have.

The book is The place to go if you want to know about web typography (including the fonts and the terminology/theory behind them, the CSS/HTML associated with text, using fonts as bitmaps, and altering fonts in Fontographer). Nothing else in print even comes close - most other books either have a short section on typography, or (even worse) simply finger point to designs that show good typography.

This book is different, because it talks only about web typography, and also goes into some depth about the theory behind using type and text in web design.

Minor niggle that may apply to some... the CSS section is a little outdated. For me, this isn't an issue because the CSS section is actually an introductory text, so it doesn't affect the book usefulness.

Finally, as a designer and author myself (I have worked on or written 20 books on web design, including a previous 'Amazon Computer book of the year' winner), it is obvious that this book was written by an author team that took their time and focused on what actually needs to go into a definitive textbook/reference on web typography. There are no rushed or brief sections in the entire book, and the book simply exudes quality.

This book is both comprehensive and understandable in relating both the importance of typography in web communication and using type/fonts correctly in composing a web site. It gives clear and insightful information about the design and use of typography in some of today's most widely used software. I enjoyed it very much as well as finding it very useful in designing my web pages.

If you are new to Typography as I am, this book would surely help.
Understand how and why the 'type' you choose affects the receiver is as important as good content, and makes good content more valuable.
If you want to begin to know how to use the myriad of fonts out there and take solid decisions this book will give a help.
Sure it has some detail that might a newcomer became bored, but focus on the big picture first an keep it for later, as You might want to read it more than once.
Mine is for keeps.

Unfortunately, the first section of this book is written with "document" cut and pasted with "web design", so the relevance of what is said is limited for a web designer. The CSS guidelines are good, and the text as graphics section adequate.