LibGuides: Graphic Design: Typography

Introduction

Typography, or the art of arranging letters in a visually appealing and legible way, involves selecting a font and structure. It is an essential part to establishing a personality or brand, and requires careful consideration for readability and accessibility. The resources below, from the library and beyond, are useful for designers and artists to help to develop skills and understanding in typography.

Typography Books

Lessons in Typography : Must-Know Typographic Principles Presented Through Lessons, Exercises, and Examples

Making and Breaking the Grid: A Graphic Design Layout Workshop

Type Specimens: A Visual History of Typesetting and Printing

Drawn to Type: Lettering for Illustrators

Layout Essentials: 100 Design Principles for Using Grids

Typography : an Encyclopedic Survey of Type Design and Techniques Throughout History

Typography Resources

Use these subject headings to find print and e-books in our library catalogue:

These typography magazines and serials are available in print and online through the library:

Baseline
Baseline magazine is a magazine devoted to typography, book arts and graphic design, available in print at S@Y Library and online from 1978 - today.
Typography: the annual of the Type Directors Club
A magazine from the international organization devoted to typography and type design, founded in 1946. Available in print at S@Y Library.
Eye: the international review of graphic design
Eye is a printed magazine about graphic design and visual culture, available in print and online at S@Y Library.
Visible Language
Founded in 1967, Visible Language is an American journal presenting visual communication research for design scholars, researchers, and practitioners. Available electronically.
U&lc
The magazine, which ceased publication in 1999, was an effort to display and advertise for the latest typefaces from International Typeface Corporation. The publication featured often experimental typographic compositions juxtaposed with illustrations, cartoons, imagery and rhetoric talking about the benefits of the new type designs. Find archived copies from 1970 - 1999 here.

The following websites are recommended to explore fonts and font pairings, and courses in typography:

Fonts In Use
This website is a public archive of typography indexed by typeface, format, industry, and period. Supported by examples contributed by the public, it documents and examines graphic design with the goal of improving typographic literacy and appreciation. Designers use the site for project research, type selection and pairing, and discovering new ways to choose and use fonts.
Type Design Class
This website includes self-paced courses with step-by-step videos, guidebooks and feedback to help students learn the art of typography. Find additional resources to help make your type design process more efficient.
Typ.io
This website shares designers' decisions for their websites, showing what fonts they are using and how they use them. Find useful and practical examples from design professionals.
Just My Type
This website includes a collection of font pairings from Typekit and H&FJ for download and use (with credit).

LinkedIn Learning has hundreds of video tutorials and courses for Seneca students to learn about design concepts and software. The playlist below contains LinkedIn video courses to help students learn about typography. Note: you must sign in with your Seneca username and password to view these resources.

Playlist of Typography Tutorials and Courses You must log in using your Seneca username and password to view the videos.