Thinking with Type

by Ellen Lupton
Thinking with Type cover
Good Books rating 4.31
Design, and Photography
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Waterstones
Paperback • £21.99
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 5897
  • Added: 2025-10-25
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9781797232515
  • Publisher: Chronicle Books
  • Published: 2024-03-12
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

Thinking with Type is a comprehensive guide to typography, offering clear and focused guidance on how to effectively use letters, words, and paragraphs in visual communication. Author Ellen Lupton covers everything from typefaces and type families to kerning and tracking, providing historical and contemporary examples to illustrate both the rules and how to break them. The third edition includes 32 pages of new content, featuring more fonts, diverse writing systems, and current approaches to typeface design, making it a valuable resource for designers, writers, and anyone interested in the power of type. /n/nThis revised edition of Thinking with Type is not just a typography book; it's a tool for creativity within systems. With critical essays, eye-opening diagrams, and helpful exercises, Lupton demonstrates basic design principles and offers tips for readability, legibility, and accessibility. The book also includes stunning reproductions from the Letterform Archive, making it a visually engaging and informative read for enthusiasts of type and lettering.

Reviews
app.thestorygraph.com · Unknown · 2025-12-17
great 4.25

Thinking With Type is praised for its accessible and practical guide to typography, making it essential for anyone working with text on paper or screens. The book is appreciated for its clear examples and historical insights, though some find it a light overview.

Thinking With Type is highly regarded for its comprehensive yet accessible approach to typography. Readers appreciate its practical advice and clear examples, making it a valuable resource for both beginners and professionals in design. The book covers a wide range of topics, from the history of typefaces to modern applications, providing a solid foundation for understanding and utilizing typography effectively. While some find it a light overview, it is still seen as a useful quick reference guide. The inclusion of historical context and practical tips makes it a great starting point for anyone looking to improve their typographic skills.

Quick quotes

    A great overview of typographic principles. This is very accessible to the newer student of design and covers a wide range of topics.

    This was a decent light overview, with some interesting historical points, as well as a few good tips for use of formatting, punctuation, dashes, editing marks, etc.

    Fantastic, practical guide to type. Really interesting to think about how to apply a lot of the classic typography advice to the web.

reputiva.com · Unknown · 2025-11-21
excellent 4.50

Thinking with Type by Ellen Lupton is a comprehensive guide to typography, covering essentials like typefaces, kerning, and grids. The book emphasizes the importance of typography as a tool for visual communication and offers practical advice on choosing typefaces and designing effective layouts.

Thinking with Type by Ellen Lupton is a definitive guide to using typography in visual communication. It covers a wide range of topics, from the history of movable type to the practical aspects of choosing typefaces and designing layouts. The book emphasizes that typography is not just about fonts but about how to use them effectively. It provides insights into the social and cultural context of typography, as well as practical advice on creating hierarchies, using grids, and ensuring accessibility. The book also includes valuable tips on editing and designing with a strong concept in mind. Overall, it is a valuable resource for designers, writers, and anyone interested in the art of typography.

Quick quotes

    This is not a book about fonts. It is a book about how to use them.

    Typography is an interface to the alphabet.

    For graphic designers, grids are carefully honed intellectual devices, infused with ideology and ambition, and they are the inescapable mesh that filters, at some level of resolution, nearly every system of writing and reproduction.

beta.thestorygraph.com · Unknown · 2025-11-17
excellent 4.50

Thinking With Type is a comprehensive guide to typography that is both informative and visually appealing. It offers practical advice and historical context, making it a valuable resource for designers and typography enthusiasts.

Thinking With Type is a well-structured and visually engaging book that delves into the intricacies of typography. The author provides a wealth of practical advice, historical context, and real-world examples, making it an invaluable resource for both beginners and seasoned designers. The book's layout and design are meticulously crafted, enhancing the reading experience and reinforcing the importance of typography in design. While some readers might find the technical details overwhelming, the overall presentation and content make it a must-read for anyone interested in typography. The book's emphasis on the historical evolution of typefaces and their applications in various design contexts adds depth and richness to the subject matter.

Quick quotes

    The book is a treasure trove of information for anyone interested in typography.

    It's a must-read for designers and typography enthusiasts.

    The layout and design are meticulously crafted, enhancing the reading experience.

goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-11-14
informative 4.00

The book provides a comprehensive guide to typography, blending historical context with practical advice. It's an essential read for designers, though some may find the technical aspects overwhelming.

Thinking With Type offers a deep dive into the world of typography, making it a valuable resource for anyone in the design field. The book successfully combines historical insights with practical tips, making it both informative and useful. However, the technical details might be a bit dense for those new to the subject, so it's best suited for those with some prior knowledge or a strong interest in typography. The author's passion for the subject shines through, making the book engaging despite its complexity. It's a must-read for designers looking to enhance their understanding of type.

Quick quotes

    The book is a comprehensive guide to typography

    It blends historical context with practical advice

    The technical aspects might be overwhelming for some.

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