Previous ed.: 2006.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [200]) and index.

The typography that is a fundamental part of our lives today is the culmination of centuries of development, as the letters that comprise the written word evolved and crystallized into that alphabets that are in common usage. This book serves as a valuable source of typographical information with which informed design choices can be made, creative inspiration can be gained, and to add depth and context to a work.

Type and language : The alphabet ; Early printing ; 1800s ; The Arts and Crafts Movement ; The early twentieth century ; 1950s ; 1960s ; 1970s ; 1980s ; 1990s ; Graphic design since 2000 -- A few basics : Typefaces and fonts ; Typeface anatomy ; Relative and absolute measurements ; X-height ; Basic terminology ; Majuscule and minuscule ; Set width ; The baseline grid ; The Golden Section ; The Fibonacci sequence ; Dividing the page ; Standard paper sizes ; The page: how we read -- Letterforms : Type families ; Typeweight variations ; Frutiger's grid ; Types of serif ; Fractions ; Superscript and subscript ; Numerals ; Diacritical marks ; Punctuations ; Drop and standing capitals ; Dashes ; Character spacing ; Expert sets and special characters ; Small capitals ; Ligatures, diphthongs and sans serif logotypes ; Italic and oblique ; Type classification systems ; Newspaper text faces -- Words and paragraphs : Calculating line lengths ; Kerning ; Automated kerning tables ; Alignment ; Word spacing, hyphenation and justification ; Type detailing ; Leading ; Indents ; Indexes -- Using type : Hierarchy ; Colour ; Surprint, overprint, knockout and reverse ; Printing and type realization ; Type on screen ; Grids and fonts ; Generating type ; Vectors and rasters ; Legibility and readability ; Texture ; Type as image ; Concrete poetry, typograms, Trompe l'œil and calligrammes ; Humour ; Environmental typography ; Vernacular ; Appropriation ; Ownership -- Conclusion -- Glossary.