Typeface:
Classic Typography for Contemporary Design
Tamye Riggs

If there is one experience that any graphic designer can relate to, it's the quest for the perfect typeface. The right typeface communicates the visual essence of the content while enhancing the impact of the overall design. The dozens of type samplers available are often more confusing than helpful, offering hundreds of choices but little guidance. Typeface: Classic Typography for Contemporary Design is a unique sourcebook featuring sixty classic typefaces that continue to resonate with today's most influential graphic designers. The book is organized using typographic classifications such as sans serif, serif, display, script, and dingbats. Each typeface is presented in detail, including its origin, main characteristics, and uses. The main character set of each type specimen is accompanied by typesheet style examples including technical specifications and non-Latin characters.

In addition, Typeface includes a unique feature certain to delight designers: a choice of similar typefaces is given for each font, so that alternatives can be easily compared, taking the stress out of tracking down typefaces. Characteristics such as vertically stressed oblique serifs or abrupt contrasts are highlighted and easily cross-referenced, allowing designers to make educated type choices without having to trawl through the seemingly endless pages of type vendor libraries. Accompanying the main character sets and typesheets are examples of the typefaces in use. Leading practitioners such as Pentagram, karlssonwilker inc., and Why Not Associates provide a working context for each typeface, making Typeface both a fully functional sourcebook and an inspirational showcase of international typographic design.


Tamye Riggs is a writer, designer, editor, and event planner specializing in typography and the related arts. She is the Executive Director of The Society of Typographic Aficionados (SOTA), which organizes TypeCon annually. Tamye has worked in creative, marketing, and management areas for Maryland-based Phil's Fonts/GarageFonts, and FontShop San Francisco, where she edits Font magazine; she also freelances for a number of other foundries and type distributors. Tamye is co-editor of SOTA's publication Interrobang, and writes for design publications, including HOW and Computer Arts. Tamye has edited a number of books on type and motion graphics, including the Indie Fonts series with Richard Kegler and James Grieshaber. A native of Oregon, Tamye now lives and works on the island of Alameda, just across the bay from San Francisco.
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Editorial Reviews

Typeface: Classic Typography Contemporary Design, Ejnord:
"The concept is simple: Tamye and her crew made small showcases for 46 classic fonts. Each presentation includes background information, along with examples of contemporary designs that utilize each face.This book has a few key features. First, it gives a handy, full-size reference for fonts that are used on a regular basis. Second, we get to see the fonts in a wide range of uses and weights (and the examples are stellar). Third, in limiting this book to 46 well-known fonts, it really makes a case for why (and how) some fonts are classic. To read the full review on ejnord.com click HERE. " — Eric Nord (September 21, 2009)

Choice Magazine:
"People see and interact with typefaces every day: a printed book, a computer screen, a kiosk design, a box of cereal. But they rarely recognize the typeface or realize how much thought and time has gone into the design and selection process. Type designers who do this work use many tools to make their selections. The proliferation of computer-designed typefaces, however, has made thier choices overwhelming." — N.J. Quinlan (December 2009)

Curated Magazine:
"Typeface is a unique source book of 60 classic typographical designs. Among the best features of the book is quick comparison between like designs. Offering solutions, alternatives, and even technical specifications." (June 10, 2009)

Font Fridays: More Alphabet Bags, plus books from Norton, Princeton Architectural Press, and Mark Batty, TYPEMEDIA.COM:
"From Princeton Architectural Press, Typeface is a unique sourcebook featuring sixty classic typefaces that continue to resonate with todays most influential graphic designers. The book is organized using typographic classifications such as sans serif, serif, display, script, and dingbats. Each typeface is presented in detail, including its origin, main characteristics, and uses." (December 18, 2009)

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