Graphic designers seem to always want to develop their typography skills. I wonder, though, if they are willing to put the time and effort into it, or if all they really want is to magically be able to pick the right typeface and adjust it perfectly.
Being an expert when it comes to type is not an innate instinct, it’s a skill that requires practice and a lot of time to develop. I’ve always been interested in typography but I think my skills have developed very slowly, mostly because I never knew any excellent resources for learning about type.
Recently, I find myself being able to choose appropriate faces more easily and adjust them even better. And you know what? Developing these skills becomes more and more fun the better I get at it! You, too, can learn these same skills and travel along side many designers down this road to typographic perfection.
I think typographic skills come as a result of two things: an intense interest in typography and practice. I feed my interest by learning about typography over at I Love Typography and by reading books and other online articles about typography. I practice by choosing a few faces to become intimately familiar with (right now I like using Garamond, Caslon, Century Gothic and Myriad) and by taking notice of the typography around me, on street signs, billboards, magazine ads, etc.
Are you interested in using typography more wisely? Head on over to I Love Typography, authored by Mr. Typography himself, Johno. You will learn fascinating tidbits about typography, engage in wild and sometimes heated conversations, develop your love for typography and become a certified Type Nut in no time!
I would also suggest checking out A Typographic Workbook
Do you have any typography books that you love? What about other articles or websites that teach typography? Please share with us in the comments!
Thanks for the mention, Lauren.
Your advice about getting to grips with a few typefaces is very sound. Better to use one or two well, than a hundred badly.
Thinking With Type is a wonderful introduction. Another great title, and often referred to as the Typographer’s Bible is The Elements of Typographic style by Robert Bringhurst.
You are most welcome for the links! I really think it’s due to iLT that I’m becoming more aware of all this typography. I liked it before, but, as I said, I didn’t know how to improve. Thanks for those other titles. More to add to my Amazon wishlist!
I love typography, but I’ve never read a book on the subject. Perhaps it’s because I was taught the art as an apprentice many years ago?
Having said that, iLT has recently become one of my daily reads – so perhaps I don’t feel the need for a book when I have a great online source for information and inspiration?
Really? You were a typographer’s apprentice? That sounds like fun! Yes, iLT is one of my high priority feeds, too. John is quite the fount of knowledge when it comes to type.
It was quite fun actually – and my first ‘proper’ job too, which was cool! I actually ended up specialising in the design of barcode type, but I still see the fonts I created from scratch popping up from time to time commercially too.
My teacher for all things font was called John too… Maybe it’s the name?!?
Haha, how funny! It must be the name. It’s got magical-type properties. Enlighten me about barcode type: why would that require a “specialty”? It seems rather simple to me (of course, clients often say that about design work too… “my kid could do that!” right?)
Definitely not simple!
There are lots of different barcode symbologies (types of barcode). Some are simple, and some are highly complex. Some require a CRC check value, which means that they need to be read perfectly by a scanner.
It’s a simple matter to print a simple barcode (say Code 3-of-9) at a fixed point size. But when you step into the realm of scalable barcode fonts then things start to get tricky!
I recommend reading the Wikipedia entry on Barcodes. If your head hasn’t imploded by the end of it then I’ll be very happy to answer any questions you have on the subject!
Paul
I think I’ll be asking you to write a guest post on iLT! I never thought I’d get excited about barcodes, but you’ve got me hooked now; I’m off to learn more.
Lauren
I just remembered, you were my first commentator on iLT. Feels like so long ago, but it’s less than two months! Thanks for getting things started.
Ah, so I was, John! I don’t think I was the first person to have a look at it, but everyone else went back and commented on Redsil (I think we weren’t sure iLT was ready yet). I’m happy to have been a part of iLT from the beginning. I need a t-shirt so I can let the world know
and I guessed the face right on that road sign of yours… at least what we thought was right until that one guy (gal?) said it was some funky Japan-only-special-road-sign-typeface. 
Paul, I am going to read up on barcodes today (I shall look a fool no longer when it comes to barcodes and their complexity). I’ll let you know if I have questions at the end. I’m supremely confident in the integrity of my head; I’ll be fine
Johno – feel free to ask me anything on the subject!
LaurenMarie – I have no doubt whatsoever that you’ll get a handle on the typographical element of barcode fonts! There’s a large amount of maths involved too though, so let me know if you need more detail on something!
I was just thinking…I’d hate to go shopping with Paul. Can you imagine it!? All those barcodes!
‘Ah, yes, this barcode is “Barumagooma 12″, designed by Herman Zanzenzephyr in 1964….’
Haha, I can just see it! Course, who would want to go anywhere with you, Johno, and your habit of buying things just because you like the typography
Thanks for the kind kudos on the 2nd edition of “A Typographic Workbook”. I am working on the 3rd edition and am excited about the updated information and images, as well as improvements on the historical information.
I hope you like it when it finally arrives! cbs
Oh wow! Hello Cynthia! I really love A Typographic Workbook. I need to get two copies, one for work and one for home because I’m always referencing it and carting it back and forth is making it look quite worn out! I’m looking forward to the next edition! Thank you so much for stopping by to say hi!