Type Rules: The Designer's Guide to Professional Typography

Type Rules! - geared specifically for teaching at the college level - is one of the best basic typography books I've seen. Ilene Strizver has done a terrific job of breaking down the components of typography into digestable chapters, each complemented by clear, intelligent exercises. The book is replete with illustrations that serve as solid examples of each concept she articulates; and includes guidance for utilizing current design software. I'd recommend this book hands down to any teacher or student of design - as well as to any practicing typographer seeking to hone their skills.

The first edition was an incredibly valuable resource, and I referred to it often in my work. I could easily find answers to all kinds questions about type and design. This new edition is even better. It's still as thoughtfully and clearly written as the first edition, and is still filled with great designs to illustrate a point. But it's been completely updated so it's current with the latest versions of software. And it has some new features like "Type Tips," which I'm finding especially enlightening, and exercises at the end of each chapter, which must make this an excellent text for teachers. This is a "must-have" for graphic designers.

When I saw that Ms. Strizver had updated Type Rules I knew I was going to have to fork over the money and shift some books on my shelf to fit a great new title into the mix. I wasn't dissapointed! Ilene makes each example easy to understand and includes lots of great illustrations and explanations in her work. AND you can read her entire book without a black felt tip pen needed. I do suggest a yellow highlighter though as there's lots you'll want to remember!

I am currently employed as a typesetter and ordered this wondering if I needed another type book. But I was pleased with my purchase because while it has only 160 pages, it covers type from the origins of writing to customizing and designing your own fonts. It has well chosen illustrations and covers some of the intricacies of setting type on the computer. I think it would make a good textbook for a college course in typesetting. I plan to use some of the illustrations to clarify things for people I work with who don't know what typesetting is all about.And something I really appreciate about it is the binding. I have the 2001 hardcover edition (only one available, I think), and when I open the book and set it on a table, it stays open and it lies flat. It has stitched signatures without an excess of glue. (Unfortunately, stitched signatures are not a guarantee a book will stay open. Sometimes the binders glob on the glue after the signatures are stitched.)

I've been searching high and low for an up-to-date book to teach a graduate Typography course. Phil Meggs, Typographic Form and Function ©1985, is a wonderful tool, but recent students were critical of the "dated" nature of some of the material. "Type Rules!" is a great alternative and/or supplement.Strizver makes her point clear from the get go - setting type is a craft, not something the computer does for us. Also, type communicates a message all by itself, and many of us are ignorantly communicating the wrong message.However, the author never gets pompous or overly theoretical. The points she makes are accurate; clearly articulated; ground not only in research, but in a true understanding of type; and are communicated in a contemporary manner.The "rules" are real-world tools and are applicable for novices as well as professionals. Please note: this book was not created to be a bullet point check off list for administrators and anyone who owns a computer with some fonts to pick from. This is a book for people who work to communicate a message with type, beyond the content of the written word. It's a well written, easy to read book with lots of fabulous examples from many of the men and women who got typography and typographic design where it is today; all very useful examples for teaching.