The lack of a specific and comprehensive guide to type design has long been a frustration for typographers, graphic designers and students. Designing Type finally addresses this important need – and brings new depth and insight to the art and process of developing a typeface. Copiously illustrated with type specimens and diagrams demonstrating visual principles and letter construction, the book discusses structure, optical compensation and legibility, with emphasis on the often overlooked systematic relationships between letters and shapes in a font. A wide range of classic and contemporary typefaces are analysed, and examples of student work, progress sketches and final type designs are used to demonstrate core issues. In the light of the rapidly broadening market for original and custom typefaces, Designing Type is a valuable reference for both experienced professionals and novice designers.

Karen Cheng is professor in the Visual Communication Design program at the University of Washington in Seattle, where she teaches type design and typography. An active practitioner, her design work has been published by the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), Communication Arts, Print, Critique and ID Magazine.