Typography was long relegated to the sidelines within the study of graphic design. But now we’re surrounded by a rapidly growing interest in the subject that can finally stand on its own. With so many resources suddenly available, how do you know where to start learning more about type? Which books should you read? What sites should you visit? What people should you know about? What typefaces should you buy? Here, you’ll find a carefully curated selection of resources to help you get started.
Perhaps the most visited typographic blog today is I Love Typography (www.ilovetypography.com), which receives more than half a million visitors a month. It covers new typeface releases, independent research and typographic events. It’s informative, entertaining and remarkably extensive. ILT is also the maker of the Font Game app (fontgameapp.com).
Ellen Lupton’s book “Thinking with Type” has an excellent companion website (www.thinkingwithtype.com). The site is bursting with explanations, projects and examples, both historical and modern. All typography students and instructors should be well-acquainted with this informative site.
Typedia (www.typedia.com), a shared encyclopedia of typefaces, is multifaceted. You can find type foundries, classifications and, perhaps most helpful, specimens. Both Typedia and I Love Typography feature “the week in type,” which can be a helpful distiller for those trying to sift through the bombardment of new font announcements and breaking typographic news.
One of my favorite new typographic sites is Fonts In Use (www.fontsinuse.com) a collaboration of three prolific typographers: Stephen Coles (www.typographica.org), Nick Sherman (www.woodtyper.com) and Sam Berlow (www.fontbureau.com). It’s wonderful to see them apply their differing typespotting skills to the abundant examples in our ephemeral world. This project also proves that there are still new directions to be discovered in the flourishing realm of typographic communication.
Another pioneer in the typographic blog scene is Typographica (www.typographica.org), which has evolved into a leader in reviews of the year’s best typefaces, technical developments, books and other commentary.
One of the more unusual industry resources is Type Radio (www.typeradio.org), where hosts Donald Beekman and Liza Enebeis have been interviewing typographers and designers who work with type since 2004. Their range is extensive and their interviews entertaining. Their archive is predominantly European and is a novel place to access the wisdom of those whom you admire.
One of the oldest typographic forums is the wildly popular Typophile (www.typophile.com) where you can find lengthy (and often exceedingly pedantic) discussions that cover innovative industry news, precise points of debate, type identification, historical referencing or technological fixes. Over the past 10 years, it’s become an invaluable resource for the type world, welcoming any and all to participate. Thankfully, there’s no obligation to comment, as lurking is equally rewarding. It’s never a concern whether your question will get answered, but rather, how quickly.
Loading ...
http://www.EsperFonto.com helps you choose fonts that are appropriate and go together. Give it a try.
Pingback: The End | chortlesnail