On My Bookshelf – Just My Type
Update: Congratulations to Serge (whose favourite font is Skitch). You've won a copy of 'Just My Type'!
A book filled with facts and accounts about the history of typography wouldn't normally take my fancy. Whilst I'm a big graphic design fan, I'm not usually one to instantly fall head over heels for type faces. However, when I came across 'Just My Type', I did indeed fall for Simon Garfield's beautiful storytelling and neat way of describing how typography plays an important role in creative history.
First and foremost a book about fonts, 'Just My Type' is also a history lesson, a humorous account of creativity, and an exploration of the many facets of life that one would not automatically associate with typography. From Parisian metro stations and old-school iPods, to Gatwick Airport ... Simon manages to discuss a whole range of subjects in light of their related type faces.
The book is far from an account of sans-serif versus serif, or Arial versus Helvetica. Simon unearths some of the gritty history behind how some of the most recognised fonts were invented, what was the inspiration behind various design choices, and how some of our favourite fonts nearly didn't make it into print.
Some of my favourite chapters include 'We Don't Serve Your Type' (where Comic Sans gets a grilling) and 'Baskerville is Dead (Long Live Baskerville)' (a chapter that tells the tale of typographer John Baskerville of Birmingham, who just so happens to be the inventor of one of my favourite typefaces.)
The book traces different fonts through history, and reveals some scandalous (yes, typography can be a risky business) events that changed the face of some fonts forever.
I learned things about graphic design that I had never heard of before – such as how some new typefaces are run through software programs to check that they haven't been copied and counterfeited, or that a font called 'Coming Together' is comprised entirely of different styles of ampersands.
Now, I know that a book about fonts might not rate highly on your 'must read' list – but I really did love 'Just My Type' and I think it's absolutely worth a read. I loved how it effortlessly links design, history, humour and storytelling – a good combo. My bet is that whilst you're reading this book, your eyes will start to question the fonts that you spy everywhere – on clothing labels, magazines, your iPhone messages ... everywhere! And it will certainly make you think twice before you move your mouse towards the font drop-down menu on your computer. Decisions, decisions ...
GIVEAWAY: I've got a signed copy of Simon Garfield's 'Just My Type' to giveaway. Leave a comment here on my blog and tell me what's your go-to font, for your chance to win :)
I’ll be randomly drawing the winner on Tuesday March 5, so you have until Monday March 4 to enter this giveaway. Bonne chance!
Note: this giveaway is now closed.
