First published 2011
Typography shapes our daily lives in ways most people never notice. Simon Garfield takes readers behind the scenes of font design and selection, revealing the stories of the people who create typefaces and the surprising impact their choices have on society. He examines why Ikea's switch to Verdana sparked outrage, explores connections between the Beach Boys and easyJet through their font choices, and defends the much-maligned Comic Sans. Garfield uncovers how uppercase letters cost a New Zealand health worker their job and explains why Prince's symbol years earned him the designation "Dingbat." The book teaches readers to spot anachronistic fonts in period films and identify counterfeit vintage posters. From high street signage to album artwork, from office documents to home printing, Garfield demonstrates how fonts carry gender associations and cultural meanings. This exploration of typography reveals the hidden language of letters that surrounds us everywhere.
Genres: art, non-fiction, design, academic
Vibes: intimate, thought-provoking, whimsical
Tropes: informative, investigative
384 pages · Hardcover · Gotham