The Visual History of Type
Paul McNeil · 2017 · Laurence King
More than 320 typefaces in chronological order, each shown in its original specimen.
reference
On Type.lol: Paul McNeil
Bookshop.org (affiliate link)
Books
Books on type, from first reads to deep references.
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The Typographic Desk Reference (2nd ed.)
Theodore Rosendorf · 2016 · Oak Knoll Press
A compact illustrated glossary of type terms, marks, and their history.
reference
https://www.oakknoll.com/pages/books/108706/theodore-rosendorf/typographic-desk-reference-the
Manual of Diacritics
Radek Sidun · 2021 · Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague
New accents drawn for 15 typefaces, with visual guidance for diacritics across 33 European languages.
type design
On Type.lol: Radek Sidun
Size-specific Adjustments to Type Designs
Tim Ahrens, Shoko Mugikura · 2014 · Just Another Foundry
How and why type is redrawn for small and large sizes, measured across historical and digital optical sizes.
type design
On Type.lol: Tim Ahrens, Shoko Mugikura, Just Another Foundry
https://justanotherfoundry.com/size-specific-adjustments-to-type-designs
Designing Type Revivals
Riccardo Olocco, Michele Patanè · 2022 · Lazy Dog Press
A method for researching and reviving a historical type, worked through on Griffo's roman for De Aetna (1496).
type design
On Type.lol: Riccardo Olocco, Michele Patanè
Thinking with Type (3rd ed., revised and expanded)
Ellen Lupton · 2024 · Princeton Architectural Press
A short illustrated course in letters, text, and grids. The new edition adds variable fonts, accessibility, and non-Latin scripts.
start here
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Type Primer (2nd ed.)
John Kane · 2011 · Laurence King
A workbook that teaches typography through exercises and builds from single letters to whole pages.
start here
Bookshop.org (affiliate link)
Just My Type
Simon Garfield · 2011 · Gotham Books
Popular history of typefaces told through stories, from Gutenberg to Comic Sans.
start here
Bookshop.org (affiliate link)
Why Fonts Matter
Sarah Hyndman · 2016 · Gingko Press
How typefaces shape what people feel and expect, drawing on research in perception and psychology.
start here
Bookshop.org (affiliate link)
Practical Typography
Matthew Butterick · self-published
A free online guide to everyday typography: rules for documents, emails, and résumés.
start here, free online
On Type.lol: Matthew Butterick