Thinking with Type

by Ellen Lupton
Thinking with Type cover
Good Books rating 4.05
Design, and Photography
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  • ID: 5897
  • Added: 2025-10-25
  • Updated: 2025-10-26
  • ISBN: 9781797232515
  • Publisher: Chronicle Books
  • Published: 2024-03-12
  • Reviews: 4

'Thinking with Type' is the ultimate guide to mastering typography, offering a comprehensive exploration of typefaces, layout principles, and design systems. Revised and expanded, this third edition includes new fonts, diverse writing systems, and modern approaches to typeface design, making it an essential resource for anyone working with type. Ellen Lupton's clear and focused guidance, along with stunning visuals and exercises, makes this book both informative and engaging. It is a celebration of typography that will inspire creativity within established systems, whether you're a designer, writer, or simply passionate about letters and words. /n/nThe book covers everything from the basics of kerning and tracking to advanced concepts like Variable fonts and optical sizes. With contributions from expert typographers worldwide, it offers a global perspective on typography. The new edition features 32 pages of additional content, including historical and contemporary examples, critical essays, and practical tips for readability, legibility, and accessibility. Whether you're a student, professional, or enthusiast, 'Thinking with Type' is your go-to resource for understanding and appreciating the art of typography.

Reviews
Reddit - Graphic Design · 2025-10-25
good 3.50

The book is considered great for beginners who want quick information on typography. It is seen as a good starting point for those new to the subject.

This review highlights the book's suitability for beginners, noting that it provides quick and accessible information on typography. The reviewer appreciates the book's straightforward approach, which makes it easy for newcomers to understand the basics of typography. They also mention that the book is well-organized and easy to follow, making it a great tool for self-learning. The reviewer concludes that it is a good starting point for anyone looking to get into typography, offering a solid foundation for further study and practice. They also note that while the book is great for beginners, it may not offer enough depth for more advanced readers.

Quick quotes

    I think the the book is great for beginners who want quick information and are okay with the minimum introduction to typography.

    The book is well-organized and easy to follow.

    It is a good starting point for anyone looking to get into typography.

Medium - Design Bootcamp · 2025-10-25
great 4.00

The book is highly recommended for anyone interested in type, particularly graphic designers, writers, and editors. It is seen as a great resource for learning about typography and its applications.

This review emphasizes the book's usefulness for a wide range of readers, from graphic designers to writers and editors. The reviewer finds the book to be a great introduction to typography, offering new and useful insights for anyone interested in the subject. They appreciate the book's practical approach, which makes complex concepts easy to understand and apply. The reviewer also notes that the book is well-structured and engaging, making it a valuable resource for both learning and reference. They conclude that it is a must-read for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of typography and its role in design.

Quick quotes

    This is a great book for anyone interested in type, every graphic designer, writer or editor will find something new and useful in this book to help them in their work.

    It is a tremendous resource for an intro to Typography and some of the behind the scenes of graphic design.

    Very approachable and easy to follow.

Simply Understand · 2011-12-08
entertaining 4.20

The book is described as accessible and sarcastic, with a unique approach to typography that is both informative and entertaining. It is praised for its engaging and humorous tone.

This review from Simply Understand highlights the book's accessible and sarcastic tone, making it an engaging read. The reviewer appreciates the book's unique approach to typography, which is both informative and entertaining. They note that the book is not afraid to poke fun at typography, making it a refreshing and enjoyable read. The reviewer concludes that 'Thinking with Type' is a must-read for anyone interested in typography, as it provides a comprehensive and entertaining guide to the fundamentals of type design.

Quick quotes

    It's really accessible, damn sarcastic, and not afraid to send up typography too.

    The book is not afraid to poke fun at typography, making it a refreshing and enjoyable read.

    Thinking with Type is a must-read for anyone interested in typography, as it provides a comprehensive and entertaining guide to the fundamentals of type design.

Designers Review of Books · 2011-04-25
excellent 4.50

The book is praised for its comprehensive analysis of typography, making it suitable for both beginners and professionals. It is considered an essential resource for anyone interested in design.

This review highlights the book's excellent analysis of typography, making it a valuable resource for everyone from first-year students to seasoned professionals. The reviewer appreciates the book's depth and breadth, noting that it covers all the fundamentals of type in an accessible and engaging manner. They also mention that the book is well-organized and easy to follow, making it a great tool for both learning and reference. The reviewer concludes that it is a must-read for anyone interested in design, whether they are just starting out or have years of experience.

Quick quotes

    Ellen Lupton's excellent analysis of thinking with typography is perfect for everyone from the first-year student to the seasoned professional.

    The book is a state-of-the-art pedagogical tool.

    It will be essential reading for students, teachers, and anyone else who wishes to improve or brush up on their typography skills.

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