Typographic Systems of Design (Paperback)

~ (Author) "An understanding of systems of visual organization gives the designer an in-depth knowledge of the design process..." (more)
Key Phrases: nonobjective elements, jective composition, architectonic graphic design, Thumbnail Variations, David Carson, Red Line (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"To be a good designer, you must be creative. But because all design is based on structural systems, it's also important to factor systemic thinking into your work. . . . Elam describes a structural system that can be broken down into eight main categories. Each chapter of Typographic Systems tackles one of these topics, providing an in-depth explanation of the system as well as visual examplescomplete with transparent diagrams you can place over imagesto aid comprehension." --STEP Inside Design, May, 2007

A beautiful little book on the rules for organizing type in graphic design. While the grid system is undoubtedly the author's favorite, Elam expertly reveals the potential that the other systems (rarely seen in print or on-screen work these days) can have in enabling visual solutions for the graphic designer. -- Creative Review, June 2007

Product Description

Typographic organization has always been a complex system in that there are so many elements at play, such as hierarchy, order of reading, legibility, and contrast. In Typographic Systems, Kim Elam, author of our bestselling books, Geometry of Design and Grid Systems, explores eight major structural frameworks beyond the grid including random, radial, modular, and bilateral systems. By taking the reader through exercises, student work, and professional examples, Elam offers a broad range of design solutions.

Once essential visual organization systems are understood the designer can fluidly organize words or images within a structure, combination of structures, or a variation of a structure. With clarity and substance, each system from the structured axis to the nonhierarchical radial array is explained and explored so that the reader comes away with a better understanding of these intricate complex arrangements. Typographic Systems is the seventh title in our bestselling Design Briefs series, which has sold more than 100,000 copies worldwide.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press; 1 edition (May 3, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1568986874
• ISBN-13: 978-1568986876
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #60,275 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Solid examples on breaking the grid..., December 17, 2007

By	D. Barrett (Gainesville, Florida) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book examines interesting ideas about alternative type layout and design. It is missing an introductory chapter that examines the traditional grid system and offers guidelines about how to break the rules, but for experienced designers this book offers a solid argument on breaking the grid, backed up with good historical references on how the grid has been broken in the past. It would be nice if Elam had addressed the reasons behind why designers are looking for alternative ways to work with type. This is strictly a reference book, with little or no discussion on the conceptual ideas behind breaking the grid. Tons of interesting illustrations and historic layouts back up the samples, also a nice touch, the tissue overlays that "map" out the different strategies. Overall, a good book for your typographic library and an excellent student reference.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A visual book for a visual subject matter, April 21, 2008

By	Gimmeadog (USA) - See all my reviews

There are many typography and design books out there - but this book is rare in that it actually SHOWS whats its talking about. After all we are in a visual field, how much sense does it make to not get a grasp on how this stuff actually looks. As a graphic design student, this is really the only book my teacher assigned that i actually care at all about.

3.0 out of 5 stars I have mixed feelings about this book, October 22, 2009

By	Brent G. - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

On one hand, this book offers great examples of different methods for laying out type on a page. On the other hand however, this book reads similarly to a classroom textbook and beyond the sample images with tracing paper overlays (Very nice touch).

This book is a quick read and you may come away from it with something, then again, maybe not. I would suggest this book more-so to intro design students looking for good pictorial examples of methods for laying type on a page than I would to more advanced designers, But then again, I have referenced back to this book once or twice in search of some inspiration.