Lessons in Typography: Must-know typographic principles presented through lessons, exercises, and examples

Introduction

When I was in high school there were only two things I wanted to be when I grew up—a pilot or a painter. I spent pretty much all my time either reading about airplanes or drawing and painting pictures of them. And then something unexpected came up and changed everything. I met typefaces.

It’s true. I signed up for a graphic arts class with the idea of learning how to print the things I was drawing and painting, and then one day the instructor introduced the class to typefaces. And that was it. I was completely smitten and awed. I mean, to think that typefaces didn’t just happen, that someone actually designed the things, that there were so many different kinds, and that such intricate and tiny works of art had always been sitting ...