Now back in print, "the ultimate book-lover's gift book" (Los Angeles Times) In 1561-62 the master calligrapher Georg Bocskay (died 1575), imperial secretary to the Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand I, created Mira calligraphiae monumenta (Model Book of Calligraphy) as a demonstration of his own preeminence among scribes. Some thirty years later, Ferdinand's grandson, the Emperor Rudolf II, commissioned Europe's last great manuscript illuminator, Joris Hoefnagel (1542-1600), to embellish the work. The resulting book is at once a treasury of extraordinary beauty and a landmark in the cultural debate between word and image. Bocskay assembled a vast selection of contemporary and historical scripts for a work that summarized all that had been learned about writing to date-a testament to the universal power of the written word. Hoefnagel, desiring to prove the superiority of his art over Bocskay's words, employed every resource of illusionism, color, and form to devise all manner of brilliant grotesques, from flowers, fruit, insects, and animals to monsters and masks.

This unique card game lets you test how type savvy you are! For everyone who wants to get to know fonts a little better, what better way than to go on a date? Struggling to decide between Arial and Times New Roman for your CV? Can't tell the difference between Brush Script and Bodoni? Understand type in a totally new way with this fun new game. The attractive gift box includes a booklet explaining type psychology and provides suggestions for four games to play. Fifty cards feature different fonts to choose from: make your selection, then turn over to find out what the type you're attracted to says about the type of character you are!

A fully-illustrated guide to the treasures of the Cary Graphic Arts Collection in Rochester, NY. Since its founding in 1969, the Cary Graphic Arts Collection at Rochester Institute of Technology has grown from the personal library of its namesake Melbert B. Cary Jr., to one of the nation's premier libraries on graphic communication history. Highlights of the Cary Graphic Arts Collection brings this history to life with a selection of items that not only exemplify the scope and mission of the library, but are treasures in their own right. The catalog features milestones in the history of printing, diverse examples of fine press printing, artists' books, and rare artifacts from The New York Times Museum of the Recorded Word. Stephen K. Galbraith is Curator and Amelia Hugill-Fontanel Assistant Curator at the Cary Graphic Arts Collection; Kari Horowicz is Librarian for the College of Imaging Arts and Sciences.

The Evolution of Type takes the reader on a journey through the development of type design and typographic style from the mid-15th century to the present day, by way of 100 typefaces. Chosen to represent the key elements of style and form used by the punch cutters, calligraphers and designers of their day, and presented in chronological order according to release date, each typeface is discussed in terms of its origins and its impact on the design and print industry, and latterly the additional considerations for screen use. Versions released in metal-foundry type for hand-setting, as hot-metal type for the monotype and linotype machines, as phototype, and as digital revivals or originals, are covered in detail alongside information about the people responsible for the design and development of each adaptation of the typeface. Key glyphs from each face are annotated to indicate the specific features that mark out how typeface design has evolved over the last 500 or so years, and visual comparisons illustrate how typefaces created years ago have influenced the design of many contemporary releases. For the general reader, this book offers a thorough history of the typefaces we have been reading for decades; for typographers and designers, it is a valuable resource that will help to inform their choice of the most appropriate typeface for a project.

The complete guide to achieving classical type and book design with a keyboard and screen. How do we absorb the lessons of the printing tradition's hot metal past and bring them to the digital era? Distinguished designer Mark Argetsinger guides the reader through every aspect of modern book design and production - from the choosing the proper typeface and leading of type to the choice of paper and specifications for binding. Chapters include "The Classical Tradition," "A Short History of Typographical Variations," "Desktop Publishing," "Composition," and "OpenType Fonts and Font Editing." Illustrated with over 425 images and diagrams, many in color, Argetsinger discusses and delineates typography as a discipline, situating it among other art forms. Two appendices cover the history of cast-type ornaments and of Greek typography. Throughout there is special reference to the historical printers' grammars-from Moxon to De Vinne-that serve as a present-day apprenticeship in the traditions of classical typography. Whether a novice or an expert, readers will gain a deeper appreciation for text, and all its rules of form, that can make words on a page a joy to the eye.

Expand, inspire and invigorate your calligraphy practice today. Packed with fresh ideas for calligraphy techniques, styles and subjects, this book is a visual feast of inspiration for all abilities, whether you're new to calligraphy or looking to reinvigorate your practice. Boost your creativity with the help of more than 80 artworks by contemporary, international calligraphers, each demonstrating an interesting or innovative approach. Techniques include hot foiling, laser cutting and brush calligraphy, as well as general inspiration such as practising calligraphy on baubles, making calligraphy wrapping paper and customising your own tools. Explore both new and old methods and discover the basic skills to excel at this ancient art form. The art of calligraphy is the ultimate way to relax, restore and create beautiful pieces of art - and this book is sure to renew your creativity.

This vibrant book tells the history of the Modernist design movement and how it completely revolutionized graphic design. Graphic Design as an artistic genre wasn't universally accepted until the early 20th century. This striking book focuses on the pivotal years of 1919-1933 to show how fifty artists redefined the field and helped create modern graphic design. Art historian and graphic artist Alston Purvis provides a concise and engaging overview of the dawn of modern graphic design and the artistic possibilities that were laid bare in a seismically shifting Europe. He explores how a variety of burgeoning and established movements contributed to the innovations of graphic design such as the German Dadaists, the Bauhaus School, and the European avant-garde artists. He looks at how groundbreaking trends in typography, the rise of consumerism, and a new focus on schools of graphic design combined to create a new language of design that is still in use today. Featuring the designs of 50 pioneering artists, such as Walter Gropius, Paul Klee, and El Lissitzky, this book shows how their work in color, typography, and composition broke conventions and set new standards in a seminal period of graphic design.

Typography, the art of designing printed words, was once the domain of an elite few artists but has become an area with which millions of people engage daily. The widespread usage of digital devices from laptops to tablets and smart phones which are used for written communications means that we are regularly asked to make decisions about the fonts, sizes, and layouts we use in our writing. This broadening engagement with the field of typography has led to a perceptible shift from debates about legibility and technicalities to conversations about which fonts best reflect the writer's personality or style . In this Very Short Introduction, Paul Luna offers a broad definition of typography as design for reading, whether in print or on screens, where a set of visual choices are taken to make a written message more accessible, more easily transmitted, more significant, or more attractive. Considering the development of letterforms and the shapes of letter we use, Luna discusses the history behind our modern day letters and fonts, before considering the issues behind key typographic decisions, and the differences between printed and on-screen typography. Presenting any piece of typography as a fundamental design choice, Luna introduces the options available today, and explores the reasons why key typographic decisions are made. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Typography for Screen features various creative typography projects for screens in different devices and applications, such as motion graphics, webpage design, and conceptual experiments and explores typographic application in visual and information hierarchies within the digital screen envi- ronment. Exclusive interviews with designers and studios integrate different knowledge and design philosophies consti- tuting a true source of inspiration for designers and students. It includes QR codes with links to the designers' webpages showing the typefaces in use.

In this volume honoring the well-known scholar of illuminated manuscripts, 38 senior scholars have contributed essays of their research, with b/w plates of the highest quality included for their illustration. There are essays on marginalia, the interaction of text and image, cultural context, and workshop methods. Seven essays are included on artists and scribes (one is in Italian), with contributions by Lilian Armstrong (Wellesley College, Massachusetts), Benjamin David (Lewis and Clark College, Portland, Oregon), and Lawrence Nees (U. of Delaware). Indexes are included of manuscripts, printed books, artists, scribes and painters, owners, and patrons. A complete bibliography of Alexander (Institute of Fine Arts, New York U.) is also provided.

Ornate, decorative letters (formed with long tails and flourishes) will add panache and style to ads, posters, signs, menus-almost any print project. Fonts include El Greco, Raffia Initials, Cantini Casual, Mardi Gras Regular, Italian Slab Fancy, dozens more.

Edward Johnston (1872-1944) and Eric Gill (1882-1940) were originators of two of the world's most enduring typefaces.Johnston still stands as London's primary 'wayfinding' lettering, while Gill Sans is the type of choice within many public and private organisations across the UK today. This book celebrates their significant contribution to Britain's visual culture. Tracing the story of each typeface from inception to the present day, Mark Ovenden skilfully draws together a complex joint history that incorporates Edward Johnston's and Eric Gill's friendship and occasional collaboration, the myriad of revisions to both typeface designs, and the enduring appeal of the two typefaces over the last century among a range of clients, most notably the London Underground (Johnston) and the BBC (Gill Sans). Including rarely seen imagery, this fascinating book is must for all typography, design and cultural history enthusiasts.

Have you always wanted to try hand lettering, but aren't quite sure how to begin? You've picked up the right book! The ABCs of Hand Lettering is your trusty guide and the perfect first step to starting a wonderful new hobby. Learn the difference between serif, sans serif, script, and decorative fonts; find out how to put together letters and words; and come up with your very own hand-lettered work. Practice with the exercises to discover your most creative side! By the end of this book, you'll definitely always be creating.

DESIGNS AND TECHNIQUES FOR ORNAMENTAL FONTS AND FLOURISHES THAT CREATE EXQUISITE HAND-LETTERED WORKS OF ART Learn the art of hand-lettering. This step-by-step workbook teaches you how to craft pretty letters and flowers of all sorts. Use your newfound botanical lettering skills to make cards, wedding invitations, banners, tags, paper bouquets and other fun projects.

Comic Sans is one of the most used and most reviled typefaces of the digital age. How was it made? How could it spawn a thousand jokes and yet still be so widely praised by educators? What does its accidental creator think of its use and misuse? This quirky and unique book examines how the computer transformed type into something that anyone could use and have an opinion on; how a typeface, correctly used, may sell us almost anything; and how new types with names such as Sunday Flicker, Pinky Stone and Irongate (to name but three out of the hundreds issued this year) each attempt to keep the alphabet exciting and new.

This volume catalogues manuscripts from and in Wales.