Basic Typography: A Design Manual

For designers, non-designers, and desktop publishers. Fine typography is timeless; typesetting technology may change, but there is only so much a good computer program can do. Using type creatively has more to do with aesthetics and common sense than it does with how the type is set, who sets it, or how much it costs. For guidance we can no longer look to the professional typographer for help; we are now the typographers.



Basic Typography explains clearly and simply how type works, so the designer and non-designer alike will be able to take full advantage of type's enormous potential. To help the reader find the necessary information quickly, the book is presented in a series of self-contained units that are grouped under three headings: Terminology, Design, and Copyfitting.

James Craig was born in Montreal, Canada. He studied fine art in Montreal and Paris before coming to the US. Mr. Craig received his B.F.A. from Cooper Union and his M.F.A. from Yale University. He lives in New York where he is the Design Director for Watson-Guptill Publications and the American Artist magazine. Mr. Craig is a member of the New York Art Directors Club, he teaches graphic design at The Cooper Union and lectures widely.