Books for type designers
Recommended reading from TypeParis Summer course
Every year, our TypeParis Summer course attendees ask us for references to better understand certain aspects of typeface design. Because we know that even if our Summer programme allows you to quickly acquire knowledge in typeface design, nothing beats reading specialised books.
It is why this curated list of essential books for type designers covering design, creativity, vision, and expertise should be useful for anyone interested in learning more about our practice.
This curated list of books is based on the ones that I have read, sometimes a long time ago. My comments about these books are from memory, so I suggest that you inquire before buying them, because depending on your needs, your level, the needs are not always identical.
— Jean François Porchez
Design and creativity
Creative lettering today by Michael Harvey. This excellent book explores various ways to imagine new letter shapes and styles. It opens up the field of possibilities for type design by introducing tools and their uses. It’s a book that teaches creativity. I don’t know of a book as complete as this one about the attitude to have when drawing letters.
Designing Type by Karen Cheng. This introduction quickly compares glyphs, highlighting their unique characteristics and differences. Classified by styles with examples from typographic classifications, it’s a great resource for understanding typefaces. A beautiful way to learn to see and appreciate the thousands of details that make a good typeface family.
The Golden Secrets of Lettering by Martina Flore. Easy-to-follow instructions, inspiring sketches to guide from initial lettering concepts well shaped digital piece. A lot of styles covered. Initially for lettering artists but also useful for aspiring type designers.
The Anatomy of type by Stephen Coles. Classification of typefaces associated with a fine analysis of the main characteristics of some classics of typefaces families. Stephen is also behind Typographica, a great place to read about fonts and typograhy.
How to create typefaces: From sketch to screen by Cristóbal Henestrosa, Laura Meseguer, José Scaglione. Many tips to learn how to create typefaces and produce your fonts. As well distribution of your fonts.
Vision
Type Now: A Manifesto by Fred Smeijers. A collection of texts about type design. Vision, know-how and ethics that the entire profession should follow. These are essays that deserve to be re-read regularly throughout your career, because Fred has managed to establish timeless principles.
The stroke by Gerritt Noordzij. Online version. This book strongly defends the idea that writing is essential to apprehend type design, both theoretically and practically. Letterletter by the same author is also quite interesting. Gerritt Noordzij is a key figure in the development of an approach that links writing and letter drawing, especially in the Netherlands.
The Elements of Typographic Style by Robert Bringhurst. A true ode to typefaces, their styles, their roots, to their use by an author, and lover of typefaces and typography. A fine description of the use of punctuation, some specific glyphs. Or what makes a good italic, a typographic hierarchy, and so many of these little details that will make you an excellent typographer.
Expertise
Type revivals by Paul Shaw. Very didactic book that compares many classics of typography and their contemporary interpretations. Essential preamble before starting a type revival.
Designing type revivals by Riccardo Olocco and Michele Patanè. This book covers the practical aspects in the event that you are going to use historical references to draw a typeface. I always advise our students to focus on typefaces created at least 120 years ago. Because more recent examples are sometimes too clearly printed, and you risk just reproducing without providing an original interpretation. Not to mention the ethical risks.
Counterpunch by Fred Smeijers. It is a study that goes back to history to better understand what makes a good contemporary typeface. Fred spent time studying old practises that allow him to have an understanding of certain design choices. He shares his discoveries and vision.
Size-specific Adjustments to Type Designs by Tim Ahrens and Shoko Mugikura. This book delves into the intricacies of numerous typeface families, offering a deeper understanding of what constitutes a good text face, compared to typeface for titling. A deep study thoroughly documented by experts in the field.
The Eternal Letter: Two Millennia of the Classical Roman Capital by Paul Shaw. Perfect to understand everything about capitals, and their history. Very rich in historical and contemporary examples.
Italic: What gives Typography its emphasis by Hendrik Weber. This book explores the use of italic fonts, examining their design patterns, historical development, and typographic features.
Any suggestions welcome!
