Letter-forms and Lettering: Towards an understanding of the shapes of letters

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(Preface) 'This stimulating study of letter-forms and alphabets aims at providing an understanding of the shapes of letters and alphabets at work. This is an understanding without which no satisfactory lettering can be achieved, whether by pen, brush or other media. Letter-forms and Lettering is a pre- dominantly visual book: every aspect of the text is fully integrated with the author's own illustrations and specimen alphabets.

The "historical approach" outlines the development of the Latin alphabet from its origins, through classical Roman to the present day. The Latin alphabet is instructively and attractively analysed, and exercises are proposed to help the students acquire the sense of rhythm and texture so vital to good lettering.

The "legibility or optical approach" discusses some of the optical factors that affect the design of letters and their display. A fascinating feature of the book is the presentation and comparison of the other major world alphabets: Arabic, . Chinese, Cyrillic (Russian) Hebrew and Japanese, with a brief history of each script and its contemporary applications and continuing development. The book is unique in the way it gathers together information and original ideas about lettering in such an exciting way, and communicates these in a pleasurable and efficient form for all practising lecturers, graphic design students, typo-graphers; and for all those whose work or hobbies involve lettering or printing and have learned to love letters in action.

John R. Biggs was formerly Head of the Graphic Design Department at Brighton College of Art; this is his ninth book for Blandford Press.'

Condition: Very Good. Shelf ware consistent with age. Light rubbing to cover/edges. Fading to spine/cover.

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