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A unique book with a bit too much detail
“This stands out as something unique: I know of no other book that describes the construction of Roman type in such detail as this one. It puts each letterform under a microscope and examines the stylistic differences between Venetian, old style, transitional, modern and sans-serif forms. It's large and comfortable to hold, and you can lose yourself for hours in its beautifully-set pages, engrossed in its minutiae.
An amazon user wrote this on 2009-07-08.
That said, this detail is also the book's major weakness. It does not spend enough time covering "designing" and spends too much time reviewing "design". That is to say, it spends more time showing what others have done than explaining how you might do the same. It also omits italics altogether, which feels like a gaping hole in the subject matter. I would have appreciated a little less detail and coverage of a lot more ground.
Despite the drawbacks, this unique book is one I recommend you have on your bookshelf if you are interested in typography or type design.” -
Visual construction of letters...
“This book is indispensible for anyone who designs type. Clear illustrations show the visual construction of letters. For instance, on pages 100-101, an outline of the letter "v" placed directly over a shaded "y" in nine serif typeface examples make it clear that the "y" is not just a "v" with a descending tail. Is the sans serif "u" just an upside-down "n"? Pages 146-147 show with several examples that it's not quite that simple. Many visual details on every letter (including numbers and diacritical marks etc...) will help fine tune your type designs no matter your level of expertise. You will not regret adding this book to your typographic library.”
An amazon user wrote this on 2009-04-16. -
Designing Type
“Este livro é muito importante para aqueles que estão se aventurando pelo universo da tipografia.”
An amazon user wrote this on 2008-04-07. -
2 of 2 members found this review helpful.
Beautiful obsessive minutia
“ For either those that have been loving typography for many years, or those that just recently have fallen infatuated. This exhaustive documentation of type-crafting minutiae is a MUST-have for reference and obsessive appreciation of classic forms and details.
An amazon user wrote this on 2008-02-27.
Karen's careful eye will help you dissect all the classics... Perhaps even discover missed aspects of a much-visited serif, perhaps finally understanding the commonality of a specific "m" proportion, perhaps understand the evolution of "g"...
Many hours of delight await for you within its pages. Get it.
You posted this review 5 days ago.” -
Outstanding Resource for Anyone Who Works With Type
“Anyone who is serious about Design and Typography will appreciate this book. It is a perfect compliment to Bringhurst's "Elements of Typographic Style." What Bringhurst does for typographic composition Cheng does for letter-form design. More imagery than text, she presents a deep exploration and comparison of typographic forms from the major historic periods. Whether you are interested in composing your own typeface or simply seeking deeper understanding of typography, this is an outstanding reference. This one should be on every designer's bookshelf. - db”
An amazon user wrote this on 2007-12-28.
