This classic typography book, first published in 1993, is now updated with brand-new typefaces, fonts, and illustrations. Internationally renowned graphic designer Erik Spiekermann explains in everyday terms what typography is and offers design guidance in choosing type for legibility, meaning, and aesthetic appeal. Stop Stealing Sheep and Find Out How Type Works, 2nd Edition guides the reader through all aspects of typography, from the history and mechanics of type, to training the eye to recognize and choose typefaces. Uncover type's roots and placement within society and learn how to use space and layout to improve overall communication. This elegant guide for readers of all levels is revised and updated to discuss the particular design challenges of type on the Internet. Note: This title was originally announced in the October 2000 Pearson Technology Group catalog.
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Book Description
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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.
From the Back Cover
An updated new edition of the classic guide to typography.
A unique, entertaining, and educational tour through the most basic unit of human communication: type. This book, a perennial seller since 1993, draws in the reader with its beautiful design and layout, making liberal use of more than 200 illustrations and photographs. The author explains in everyday layman's terms what type is and how you can use it to enhance legibility, meaning, and aesthetic enjoyment. This edition is revised and updated to include new chapters on Web typography and other forms of online text display.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format: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.
216 of 250 people found the following review helpful
Format: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.
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By Sarah Harden
Format: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.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Simply stated, this is a swell little book. Will it serve as a single source for all there is to know about typography? Clearly not, but that sort of expectation is baffling. Is it a quick read? Yes, delightfully so, and this is an important feature of the book. The first chapter states, "typography is not an art for the chosen few, but a powerful tool for anyone who has something to say and needs to say it in print or on a screen." This statement serves as a welcome to all readers who take communication seriously, inside and outside the professional design community. Erik Spiekermann and E. M. Ginger have structured their text with an eye to capturing and holding the interest of such a widely diverse readership. Each chapter includes a general body of text, marginal text, and images and typefaces chosen to illuminate key points. This may sound unimaginatively straightforward, however, the book's strength lies in the length and layout of each chapter: brief yet compelling, spritely in tone, aesthetically pleasing with its subtle shifts in typeface and color. It begs to be read in one sitting ... and read again soon. This urge is due in great part to its compact energy.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
As a graphic art professor, I use this book as an introduction to type for those who have never considered the subject before. It is popular with students for ease of reading and understanding. A must for anyone starting a serious study of type.
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By robo-artist
Format:Paperback
1. Entertainment, not resource. Provides insight into the uses of type, as well as a brief history of many different typefaces. Robert Bringhurst's "The Elements of Typography" (0881792063) is a better book for those in need of a resource.
2. Aimed at a less experienced audience. Discusses type in relation to emotions, legibility, etc, though not in great depth. It does a great job of showing a beginner how important type is, showing a large number of examples of typefaces, and, possibly, inspiring them to look into the subject more thoroughly.
3. The quote used in the title did not come from the authors, it came from F. Goudy in 1936. Also, most of the fonts mentioned in the book cannot be found in Adobe's font library, some are over 100 years old. The book is not trying to sell you anything.
4. The book itself is a great example of what can be accomplished with type. It also contains many instances of type being used to great effect, while explaining how and why it works so well.
5. As someone interested in type, you could do much worse than this book. However, its simple nature, though complete and well-constructed, whets the appetite more than actually satisfying it.
2. Aimed at a less experienced audience. Discusses type in relation to emotions, legibility, etc, though not in great depth. It does a great job of showing a beginner how important type is, showing a large number of examples of typefaces, and, possibly, inspiring them to look into the subject more thoroughly.
3. The quote used in the title did not come from the authors, it came from F. Goudy in 1936. Also, most of the fonts mentioned in the book cannot be found in Adobe's font library, some are over 100 years old. The book is not trying to sell you anything.
4. The book itself is a great example of what can be accomplished with type. It also contains many instances of type being used to great effect, while explaining how and why it works so well.
5. As someone interested in type, you could do much worse than this book. However, its simple nature, though complete and well-constructed, whets the appetite more than actually satisfying it.
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By Beanhauer
Format:Paperback
This book was more flash than content. It looks very nice, always having a gripping picture on the left, a nice layout on the right, and font examples that illustrate the point. As a beginning designer, I didn't learn anything new or concrete, but enjoyed having the book wash over me for awhile.
The oddest thing about the book is the typography. The main text is in a very readable font, but little real information is in the main text. Most of the meat is in the side bars, which are presented in a tiny red san-serif font. So a book on type usage and readability is asking you to read 2-3 paragraphs of informatio in an essentially unreadable font.
The oddest thing about the book is the typography. The main text is in a very readable font, but little real information is in the main text. Most of the meat is in the side bars, which are presented in a tiny red san-serif font. So a book on type usage and readability is asking you to read 2-3 paragraphs of informatio in an essentially unreadable font.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
okay
it smelled like smoke and cigarrettes so i barely could even read it. everytime i opened it i couldn't keep it open for more than like 5 minutes because it smells so bad but other... Read more
Published 2 months ago by rachel cho
4.0 out of 5 stars
great introduction to typography
This book is a great introduction to typography. I learned a lot and the book gives you lots of examples of nice typefaces to try out. Read more
Published 7 months ago by T L
5.0 out of 5 stars
great as ever
I first came in contact with this book way back before Adobe press re-released and updated it. It's a little pricey for its size, but it's always been a great book to have as a... Read more
Published 8 months ago by feargal
5.0 out of 5 stars
wonderful
Came in the amount of time it said it would, and looked like it had never been opened before. A great buy!
Published 8 months ago by niki
5.0 out of 5 stars
I am Very satisfied with this order
It was a great combination between the good quality and fast services. I am really happy with is order.
Published 15 months ago by Shahrzad Ahrar
4.0 out of 5 stars
A surprisingly pleasant approach to learning about type and how it...
Summary
I feel like the book has a strange format, but I was pleasantly surprised - It continuously compares typography to various things such as traffic, rooms in a house,... Read more
I feel like the book has a strange format, but I was pleasantly surprised - It continuously compares typography to various things such as traffic, rooms in a house,... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Nick
5.0 out of 5 stars
For All Typography Nerds and Future Typography Nerds
This book took me from Typography Nerd Level 3 to Typography Nerd Level 20 in just one read through. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Joelle
2.0 out of 5 stars
Too verbose and indirect, needed a usage index, and no thanks on the...
I found several issues with the book:
- Cruel sidenotes: Bright red, teeny tiny sidenote font is hard to read, though it makes up a large portion of the book's actual content... Read more
- Cruel sidenotes: Bright red, teeny tiny sidenote font is hard to read, though it makes up a large portion of the book's actual content... Read more
Published on April 12, 2011 by Noel C. Arnold
2.0 out of 5 stars
An Annoying Little Book
As other reviewers have said, this book is WAY too basic.
Once the authors say that you should pick the right typeface for the job, they run out of things to say. Read more
Once the authors say that you should pick the right typeface for the job, they run out of things to say. Read more
Published on January 11, 2010 by Vince Cabrera
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting book about type
This book is required reading by my professor. It's one of the easiest books to read and understand. Read more
Published on October 14, 2009 by kumogami00
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