5 years ago from Camilo Sanchez, Senior Product Designer @hackerone
What are the best books I can buy on amazon to learn typography in a way that topic stops being a mystery once I read that book or books?
Here's a short list, nothing controversial. In my humble opinion, historical context is the most important aspect of really tamping this stuff down.
+1 for Thinking with type
Have all of those and can confirm they are all great choices. I have one additional book to add.
The Anatomy of Type: A graphic Guide to 100 Typefaces by Stephen Coles
It's a great book for gaining a solid foundation of both type anatomy and classifications. Stephen is the former creative director of FontShop and co-founder of Fonts In Use; his knowledge of typography is extensive. I learn new things every time I open it up.
Yes! I forgot that one. Covers your basics of type structure, taxonomy, and dives into the unique features that makes popular typefaces unique.
I'm a big fan of The Elements of Typographic Style. It's a bit opinionated, but has a lot of great material.
I also quite like The Elements of Typographic Style Applied to the Web.
Good luck and enjoy your journey of learning!
Ironic how the measure on that website is off the charts on wider screens.
"The Elements of Typographic Style" by Robert Bringhurst, for sure.
"Grid systems in Graphic Design" by Josef Müller-Brockmann
...and maybe not a direct typography book, but a really good design book: "The Form Book" by Borries Schwesinger
Hey Camilo, I’ve done some work compiling book recommendations at uxtools.co/library and there’s a “typography” section there.
One that’s not included there that I like (but it’s super dense) is “The Elements of Typographic Style.” It opened my mind to how type and grid are supposed to work torgether.
I got this book when it came out: https://betterwebtype.com/web-typography-book
There's probably 'heavier' material out there but I found this book easy to read, understand and after applying some of the basics to my own work I noticed improvements right away. Such as how to 'fix' line-heights.
Were you able to find the information you need? Lola, teacher at https://rapidessay.com/programming-help/
I'm very impressed with your recommendations. I will need them now. Since I was tired of going to college and constantly using proofreader services, I used https://edubirdie.com/proofreading-services for this. Now I'm starting to learn something new. I want to learn theory and then take special courses.
Finer Points, Dowding
Detail in Typography, Hochuli
https://www.amazon.com/Stop-Stealing-Sheep-Find-Works/dp/0201703394
Stop Stealing Sheep and Find Out How Type Works
For typography 101
I think The Elements of Typographic Style by Bringhurst is a great way to start.
If that feels too historical (thought that’s a bit like saying "if basketball feels too sporty…"), I highly recommend Type & Typography by Baines & Haslam.
Whatever you do, do not start with The Elements of Typographic Style. Once you read it, remember that Bringhurst is most often discussing publication and book layout primarily. It's an amazing resource, but it should not be treated as the gospel, as it often is.
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