summary ofThinking With TypeBook by Ellen Lupton

first KEY POINT

Typography adds meaning to visual content

Typography is not a subject with many books dedicated to it because much of it is taught in college, online, and learned by practice. However, for graphic designers wanting to hone their work to the highest possible level, understanding the smaller details is key. Not understanding the finer points of spacing, choosing the right type font, and how these relate to spaces around the words can make your work look slightly ‘off.’ This might not be glaringly obvious to a reader, but when adorning large banners for advertising, small mistakes can stand out.

Ellen Lupton was annoyed at the lack of suitable books on the subject of typography. For a long time, she searched for the ideal choice, something small enough to digest easily but containing enough information to be worthwhile. In the end, she decided to create that book herself, having failed in her mission to find it elsewhere.Focusing upon the rules of typography, with creative license thrown in for good measure, Thinking in Type is also about why typography is structured in the way it is and not merely stating the rules. The bottom line is that when typography is used in a creative and sensible way, it adds value to the words and gives them structure, allowing the meaning to be conveyed in a more concise and impactful manner.