Stop Stealing Sheep & Find Out How Type Works [Paperback]

Erik Spiekermann (Author), E.M. Ginger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 7, 1993 | ISBN-10: 0672485435 | ISBN-13: 978-0672485435

Frederic Goudy, American type designer, once said, "Anyone who would letterspace lower case would steal sheep." To most people, this comment only adds to the perception that type inhabits a mysterious world with intricate terminology and elaborate rules; added to this are thouasands of type faces out there that all seem to look alike. Until now, Spiekerman and Ginger shepherd their decades of typograhpic experience into a unique and lively guidebook which shows that type is easy to use, easy to understand, and in the hands of a savvy user, a powerful communications tool. You need no previous knowledge of typography to enjoy Stop Stealing Sheep. It makes no difference what kind of computer you work on, what type of software you use, or what you do for a living, because as the authors show- type, good type -reaches across all boundaries, computer platforms, and professional distinctions.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Stop Stealing Sheep, Second Edition is a unique, entertaining, and educational tour through the most basic unit of written communication: type. World-renowned type experts Erik Spiekermann and E.M. Ginger explain in everyday laymen's terms what type is and how you can use it to enhance the legibility, meaning, and aesthetic level of your work. They elegantly touch on all aspects of typography, including the history and mechanics of type, how to train your eye to recognize and choose typefaces, and how to use space and layout to improve overall communication.

Because type reaches across all boundaries and continually evolves, this edition is revised and updated to include new chapters on Web typography and other forms of online text display. You need no previous knowledge of typography to enjoy this book and apply its tenets to your daily work. A perennial bestseller since the first edition was published in 1993, Stop Stealing Sheep will draw you in with its beautiful design and layout, which makes liberal use of more than 200 illustrations and photographs. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From the Back Cover

Frederic Goudy, American type designer, once said, "Anyone who would letterspace lower case would steal sheep." To most people, this comment only adds to the perception that type inhabits a mysterious world with intricate terminology and elaborate rules; added to this are thouasands of type faces out there that all seem to look alike. Until now, Spiekerman and Ginger shepherd their decades of typograhpic experience into a unique and lively guidebook which shows that type is easy to use, easy to understand, and in the hands of a savvy user, a powerful communications tool. You need no previous knowledge of typography to enjoy Stop Stealing Sheep. It makes no difference what kind of computer you work on, what type of software you use, or what you do for a living, because as the authors show- type, good type -reaches across all boundaries, computer platforms, and professional distinctions.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Adobe Pr (January 7, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0672485435
• ISBN-13: 978-0672485435
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #541,163 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars good at the basics but unsatisfying, hard to read, December 12, 2002

By 

"ringpop13606" (savannah, ga) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stop Stealing Sheep & Find Out How Type Works (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

This book was required for my Typography I class and at first I really enjoyed the stylish layout and color. But eventually I began to hate it because all the important info is flushed to the right side of the page, in red and, worst of all, italicized. I do have to mention that the book has very good visual examples, which is probably the best aspect of the book altogether. This book has tons of great info for beginners in type or graphic design, it just needs to have a less flashy layout.

210 of 242 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars WAY too basic, July 9, 2000

By 

Matt McDowall "spoko" (Newbraska) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stop Stealing Sheep & Find Out How Type Works (Paperback)

Spiekermann and Ginger have, essentially, nothing to say. Unfortunately, they spend over 150 pages saying it. The worst of it is that there are all kinds of color photos, headings, etc., so the book is printed on heavy, glossy paper. This is bad because (a) glossy paper is hard to read text on (as ANY designer should know) and (b) both heavy/glossy paper and color inks are expensive. Thus, you must pay $20 for a book that could very easily be condensed into a $1.50 pamphlet. The book is often touted as an introduction into type because it is basic and easy to access. The problem is that it is TOO basic. If you know what a serif is, this book is too basic for you. If you know that it is possible to adjust the spacing between letters, words, or lines of type, then this book is WAY too basic for you--even if you aren't familiar with terms like letterspacing and leading. Get a book that will be a real introduction--if you're going to learn about type, learn enough that it will make a difference. If you want easy access, pick up something by Robin Williams (doesn't matter what--they're all about the same). If you really want to learn something, get Robert Bringhurst's The Elements of Typographic Style. Whatever you do, pass this book up. You could learn more, cheaper, from a high-school yearbook instructor.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars simple, lovely, April 28, 2000

By 

Sarah Harden (Land of Cactus (Tucson, AZ)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stop Stealing Sheep & Find Out How Type Works (Paperback)

As other reviewers have suggested, the book is a simple, introductory glance at graphic design. It is, presumably, written for those who have never considered the impact of font selection and page layout on the reader, viewer, etc. Still, it makes a nice companion text for more serious graphic designers, as well as a welcome first-read for individuals who encounter or produce graphic materials on a daily basis, but who have little formal training in the discipline.