Type Rules!: The Designer's Guide to Professional Typography [Paperback]

Ilene Strizver (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 20, 2010 | ISBN-10: 0470542519 | ISBN-13: 978-0470542514 | Edition: 3

From principle to practice, get it all in the revised edition of the comprehensive introduction to typography.

Type Rules: The Designer's Guide to Professional Typography, 3rd Edition is an up-to-date, thorough introduction to the principles and practices of typography. From the fundamentals to cutting-edge applications, this edition has everything today's serious designer needs to use type effectively. Dozens of exercises reinforce authoritative coverage on such topics as how to select the appropriate type for the job, how to set type like a pro, how to avoid common mistakes, and how to design a typeface, as well as how to fully harness the power of major design packages such as InDesign? and QuarkXPress? -- with new coverage of their latest versions.

This edition includes:

• New information on OpenType, font management utilities, font web sites, and interactive typography.
• An expanded?history of type and an updated glossary of key terms.
• Exercises throughout to help reinforce the concepts presented in the book.
• A wealth of tried-and-true as well as recently developed type tips.
• More in-depth type issues, including scaling logos.

"I've purchased and read just about every book on typography written over the last twenty-five years. Ilene Strizver's Type Rules is one of the best. It's a book that will prove its value time and again."
-- Allan Haley, Director of Words and Letters, Monotype Imaging

"Type Rules is a must-have book for students and professionals alike. I highly recommend it."
-- Prof. Ed Benguiat, world-renowned type designer and educator, School of Visual Arts

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Type Rules! is a comprehensive source of information about the technicalities and art of typography. Strizver really knows her "type" and her expertise is clear as she ranges across topics from the history of typography and its nomenclature to recent developments in proprietary and computer generated typefaces. She has written this book for practitioners, positioning it as "the designer's guide to professional typography." She explains "what to do" with type and "how to do type". She unashamedly focus on MAC computers because that's what she uses, and that's what the design community mostly uses. It's a book with design in mind, not just because that's it's target market, but because its presented in a smart layout, with oodles of example of practical workman-like type, as well as type of the more artistic, original and intriguing variety." (webwombat, 8/6/10)

From the Back Cover

from principle to practice–the revised edition of the comprehensive introduction to typography

Type Rules!, Third Edition is an up-to-date, thorough introduction to the principles and practices of typography. From the fundamentals to cutting-edge applications, this Third Edition has everything today's serious designer needs to use type effectively. Dozens of exercises reinforce authoritative coverage on such topics as how to select the appropriate type for the job, how to set type like a pro, how to avoid common mistakes, and how to design a typeface, as well as how to fully harness the power of major design packages such as InDesign® and QuarkXPress®;—with new coverage of their latest versions.

"I've purchased and read just about every book on typography written over the last twenty-five years. Ilene Strizver's Type Rules! is one of the best. It's a book that will prove its value time and again."
—Allan Haley, Director of Words and Letters, Monotype Imaging

"Type Rules! is a must-have book for students and professionals alike. I highly recommend it."
—Prof. Ed Benguiat, world-renowned type designer and educator, School of Visual Arts

This new Third Edition includes:

• New information on OpenType, font management utilities, font web sites, and interactive typography
• An expanded history of type and an updated glossary of key terms
• Exercises throughout to help reinforce the concepts presented in the book
• A wealth of tried-and-true as well as recently developed type tips
• More in-depth type issues, including scaling logos

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 3 edition (July 20, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470542519
• ISBN-13: 978-0470542514
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 0.6 x 10.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #316,380 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A welcome addition July 28, 2010

By David Spencer

Format:Paperback

This book is a welcome addition to the literature--linking typography and graphic design in a concise, well-written format that is easily understandable to most readers.

The section on history was particularly useful. While a more comprehensive history of typography can be found in other works, Strizver provides a remarkably complete and useful summary on this topic at the beginning--without overwhelming the reader.

Strizver improves on similar works such as "Desktop Publishing by Design," and "Dynamics in Document Design" by providing relevant, contemporary examples of typography in graphic design for the reader. The layout introduces readers to various topics in a useful manner--less confusing than similar works such as Colin Wheildon's "Type and Layout."

Perhaps the aspect of the book that most distinguishes it from similar works is how the author links typographic concepts with down-to-earth "how-to" instructions. Most works on typography discuss the uses of hanging punctuation and adjusting kerning. Few tell the reader how to do it. Strisver accomplishes this with Mac screen captures that show readers exactly how to integrate these techniques into their writing and designs.

Perhaps the only drawback to the book is the fact that the computer-based instructions focus on Mac users. Strizver also provides some basic information for PC users, but Mac users will get the most out of the "how-to" drills.

However, this book will be useful for all skill levels. For beginners, it provides a complete overview of basic typographic concepts through prose that is very readable. Those familiar with typography will increase their knowledge and even advanced designers could benefit from Strizver's useful instructions--especially as a reference work. The book also includes exercises at the end of each chapter, making it a candidate as a textbook for teachers of graphic design.

Whether you are an expert, a competent graphic designer, or someone simply looking to improve the appearance of your documents, I would recommend this book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Worth the Second Look April 25, 2006

By N. Brockmann

Format:Paperback

When I saw that Ms. Strizver had updated Type Rules I knew I was going to have to fork over the money and shift some books on my shelf to fit a great new title into the mix. I wasn't dissapointed!

Ilene makes each example easy to understand and includes lots of great illustrations and explanations in her work. AND you can read her entire book without a black felt tip pen needed. I do suggest a yellow highlighter though as there's lots you'll want to remember!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT FOR STUDENTS AND PROFESSIONALS ALIKE! October 17, 2010

By Vincent DiGangi

Format:Paperback

I took the legendary type-master, Ed Benguiat, as a professor of typography at the School of Visual Arts (New York) one semester. Ed Benguiat HIGHLY recommends this book, and Ed doesn't usually recommend or like ANYTHING when it comes to books on typography, etc. ENOUGH SAID! Believe me, this is where it's at!