5 + 2 Typography Books Every Designer Needs To Read
Excuse my French, but there’s a shitload of typography books to get out there. But which are the good ones and which ones are a waste of time and money and precious toilet time you could’ve been wasting watching Drew Gooden, idubbbz or that guy that makes homemade Nutella?
Well, thankfully, I’ve gone through a lot of them and here are the five (+2, cos I have to plug my own book somewhere) books that you’d be wise to go and get.
#1 Type Matters!
It’s simple: if you’re going to get only one book on typography, get this one.
There are many reasons for doing that: this leather bound tome is gorgeous with a capital ‘G’, both inside and out. If you think that’s a shallow way to judge a book, you’re wrong, especially when it comes to a book related to the visual arts.
Additionally, the book is advanced enough to get you up to speed with all aspects of typography, but not so inpenetrable that will cause trouble to beginners.
Definitely my favorite in this list. Get it HERE.
#2 Why Fonts Matter
Now, this one is hardly essential but I really like its central concept, which is how typefaces affect the mood of a design.
Filled with interesting historical facts and tidbits, it’s mostly an interesting walkthrough through time, cultures and brands, rather than a typography reference book.
Interestingly, the book also contains various typography-related games, which can be played by one or more players.
In conclusion, not an essential purchase but your understanding of typefaces and their effect on design will definitely gain something from reading this book.
Get it HERE.
#3 Practical Typography
Unlike the rest of the books on this list, this is not a physical book. Instead, it’s a web app you can access for free, although Matthew Butterick (the author) has released it on a pay-what-you-want model and does not consider it a free resource. Be a decent person and pay for it; you can go as low as $9 or as high as $39.
While Practical Typography is a breezy read, it’s a bit more demanding than Type Matters! so I would suggest that newbies start with the latter and then study the former.
Practical Typography goes deep into the typography rabbit-hole and it will definitely make you reconsider practices that you thought were ‘established’ or ‘a good idea at the time’.
#4 Graphic Design Rules
This one is not solely about typography but it has a very extensive section on it, with lots of tips and tricks for the inexperienced (or, you know, even the experienced) designer.
Tips and concepts are presented visually in clear, attractive panels above the text that comments on them. It’s also a pretty fun and funny read.
Get it HERE.
#5 The Elements of Typographic Style
The God of Typography will probably send me to Kern Hell for saying this, but I’m just including The Elements of Typographic Style in this list because it’s… well… customary.
That’s not to say that it’s not a valuable resource, but in my opinion it has been superceded by more modern, more nicely-set books (like the ones I mention above). I also don’t see the need for ‘history of typography’ sections in this kind of book, but that’s just me.
But sure: if you want to feel like your book collection on typography is complete, whatever the hell that means, go ahead and get it. Confession time: that why I got it.
Get it HERE.
# Extra 1: Clothes For Language
Ahem. Yeah. I know. This is my own book. But it’s pretty cool - I promise. If you’re not easily offended. And it’s even better if you appreciate the finer things in life like Twin Peaks and the Evil Dead franchise.
So, how is it any different from the rest of the books in this list? Well, it’s more juvenile and sweary. And the instructional panels are funny - if you’re fifteen! But I can promise you that it contains a wealth of knowledge, plus it will make you better in bed. Better in bed at sleeping, I mean.
Get it HERE.
# Extra 2: Letter Fountain
Another vanity purchase BUT IT LOOKS SO FREAKING NICE!
Taschen never skimps on quality in its books and this is no exception. A beautiful object that sits on my shelf collecting dust but I'd have it no other way.
I occasionally open it to some random page to give it a chance but I close it again as fast as possible to avoid brain overheating.
Get it HERE. If you dare.
