Listening to Type

“With this visually stunning primer, designers will develop the skills and vision to produce truly innovative, eye-catching type design. All the basics of type design are covered, and in-depth information is provided on more advanced topics such as the differences between type applications, how typography creates identity, and what best inspires readers. . . . Academician and graphic designer expert Alex W. White packs the pages of Listening to Type with fifteen hundred images (modern and ancient, specially created and found) that illustrate typographic concepts and continue to yield more complexity and connectivity with each viewing. . . . A complete and comprehensive course of study accessible to design students and professionals alike, Listening to Type is exceptionally 'user friendly' in organization and presentation. Listening to Type is an ideal and highly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and academic library Writing/Publishing collections in general, and Graphic Design supplemental studies reading lists in particular.” —Midwest Book Review

“My colleague, Alex W. White, has done it again. Even if you’ve read other books by Alex, like his excellent Elements of Graphic Design, Listening to Type is a revelation. This book represents his clearest and most perceptive explanation of the building blocks of effective graphic design: Space, image and—putting what is probably most important first—the workings of type itself.” —Brian D. Miller, partner, executive creative director, MillerSmith; author of Above the Fold, 2nd ed.
“Maybe Alex White should be called the type whisperer. Examples of outstanding work are abundant throughout this volume. Typography, space, image, and color are the building blocks of graphic design and are beautifully represented. Splendidly arranged and easy to understand, this book is indispensible whether you are an initiate or seasoned professional.” —Graham Clifford, independent design director and chairman emeritus of the Type Directors Club
“My library has hundreds of books about typography and graphic design. Each provides a vantage point for seeing design differently. This is the first that challenges the reader to listen to typography. Strange though that concept may be, there’s deep truth there, and a plethora of beauty to hear.” —Charles Nix, senior type designer, Monotype; chairman emeritus of the Type Directors Club; former chairman of communication design at Parsons the New School for Design

“With this visually stunning primer, designers will develop the skills and vision to produce truly innovative, eye-catching type design. All the basics of type design are covered, and in-depth information is provided on more advanced topics such as the differences between type applications, how typography creates identity, and what best inspires readers. . . . Academician and graphic designer expert Alex W. White packs the pages of Listening to Type with fifteen hundred images (modern and ancient, specially created and found) that illustrate typographic concepts and continue to yield more complexity and connectivity with each viewing. . . . A complete and comprehensive course of study accessible to design students and professionals alike, Listening to Type is exceptionally 'user friendly' in organization and presentation. Listening to Type is an ideal and highly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and academic library Writing/Publishing collections in general, and Graphic Design supplemental studies reading lists in particular.” —Midwest Book Review