The Elements of Typographic Style (Book Review)
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.
As a book I have to admit that Bringhurst provides an almost laborious experience to the reader. Parts of this book read like poetry which you are quite happy to bask in and others seemed to go into mathematical craft beyond a layman’s expertise. For the designer who wants to understand design The Elements of Typographic Style is something that really should be on your bookshelf. Bringing the science of thousands of years of culture into your work is a non-trivial task at best - a huge challenge at the least. Simply understanding the history of type, their relationships and what they are all trying to achieve has exposed me to many centuries of what has worked.
This is one of those reference books you want in your design office. And then let them go break the rules, if they absolutely must…
