The Elements of Typographic Style (Book Review)
Thursday, February 28th, 2008
Without a doubt The Elements of Typographic Style (Second Edition) by Robert Bringhurst is a typographer’s typography book. An industry icon in his own right, Herman Zapf said, “I wish to see this book become the Typographers’ Bible”. That is no small bucket of praise from within this specialised field of design expertise.
As someone who attempts to improve on my design abilities its important for me to understand more about typography. Bringhurst in his book offers up the set of guidelines required for good typography including vertical and horizontal rhythm, harmony and shaping the page. And in the end with this knowledge of what is historically proven to work the typographer, or the designer with type in hand, is also free to go out into the world and break the rules where necessary. As designer Eric Karjaluoto said recently, Fuck Style! Design needs to be focused on results.
In my mind people who can work magic with type like Paula Scher of Pentagram generate design awe. I like that Paula said in her interview “its done in a second and 34 years”. Picasso, I believe, said something similar. Often typography can be the single most powerful element in the design and Paula’s work is exemplary at developing that deeper dimension.
