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Being trained in typography is like a curse. You will suddenly see all the mistakes and amateurish design decisions everywhere, and you will hate them.

On the other hand you can create something that looks good in 5 minutes.




Would you be able to recommend resources on learning towards becoming somewhat trained in typography? Beyond blogs and coursera courses, where might one start?


Typography is one of those ancient skills that's so well covered you can't go wrong anywhere you start. The only problem would be if you needed a class room environment or a one on one instruction. If you're a self starter then (as cliche as it sounds) launch off the wikipedia page : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typography

There'll be tons of instructional websites too. This is a 600 year old art that hasn't fundamentally changed its terminology. Anything on the nerdy to practical spectrum of knowledge is out there for you to grasp.


Grid Systems in Graphic Design: A Visual Communication Manual for Graphic Designers, Typographers and Three Dimensional Designers

By

Josef Müller-Brockmann

https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=MLYiAQAAIAAJ&redir_esc=y


This is a good one and has been discussed on HN before: https://practicaltypography.com/


Keep an eye on what AIGA features, beware of, mhm, "opinions", but it's a good source, if it's not your only source.

https://eyeondesign.aiga.org/

And a good website for jumping in is Design Observer.

https://designobserver.com/


The Elements Of Typographic Style, Robert Bringhurst. Just enough to be dangerous, and a great read to boot.


It's a beautiful book just to have around to flip through! I have to admit I only bought it to look at and not read through.


This is more than just enough to be dangerous, this is more or less the bible of using typography and typesetting, but not type design.


If OP is still reading, this comment is correct. The book I recommended is great, but doesn't fit your needs.


Look at open source fonts, study how they are created, and which components are frequently updated, and create one of your own. It's much harder than it seems. But definitely do-able.


I learned it from an typographer who himself still learned how to craft typefaces by hand, so there is not much in current material I can recommend.


Typesetting is related and has a similar effect. Being able to spot every document authored in Microsoft Word and its, frankly, ugly decisions is not that fun.


Relevant xkcd: https://xkcd.com/1015/


That's true of any field though.


Sort of like doing your own drywall.




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