A Type Primer (Paperback)

by John Kane (Author) "As Eric Gill said, letters are things, they are not pictures of things..." (more)
Key Phrases: ure dolor, laoreet dol, modo consequat, Cedar Park, Melrose Highlands, North Station (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
For beginning and intermediate typography courses. Practical and hands-on in approach, this text/exercise manual speaks clearly to beginning students of graphic design about the complex meeting of message, image, and history that is typography. Focused on intent and content, not affect or style, it makes informed distinctions between what is appropriate and what is merely show. Filled with examples, exercises, and background information--and designed itself to reflect good typographic design--it guides students systematically to the point where they can not only understand but demonstrate basic principles of typography, and thereby strengthen their own typographic instincts.

From the Back Cover

A practical introduction to typography, this book analyzes the basic principles and applications of type. From measuring type and classifying typefaces to organizing text on a page and understanding grid systems, the author covers everything that the beginning student of graphic design needs to know. In addition, he includes a brief history of typography, numerous examples to illustrate the points raised, and a series of useful exercises to help readers put basic principles into practice.

Engagingly written, this book is an invaluable resource for the beginning graphic designer and a useful refresher far the more experienced one.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 196 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall (September 22, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 013099071X
• ISBN-13: 978-0130990716
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 6.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #181,435 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:

5.0 out of 5 stars Typography 101, April 17, 2004

By	A. Walter (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I found this book to be an excellent, well organized, and easy to use tool in learning the history, classification, and organization of type. It is a great text for anyone starting out in the design field as well as for the experienced designer. I never knew exactly how much care and detail went into properly setting type until I got into this book. Mr. Kane has included excellent visual examples and some extremely useful exercises to help illustrate each subject covered in the text. The book flows very well and is a pleasurable read, and there is always something new for your eyes to take in on the next page.

I had the pleasure of taking two classes taught by Mr. Kane, and he definately knows typography backwards and forwards. He, as well as his book, is a wealth of knowledge for the aspiring designer.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very modern and practical, February 3, 2003

By	George Aye (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

A great book that introduces to the beginner many of the sensitivities that one ought to have when working with type.

It gives many great practical examples and exercises that makes one appreciate type on many levels.

As one who is taking a class in Typography, this is a great book to have by one's side.