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Sean Cavanaugh
is a columnist for EyeWire
Magazine, where he writes about software of interest to graphic designers
and other right-brain types. His left brain keeps him busy as a software
designer and web producer for MicroVision Development, publishers of SureThing
CD Labeler, the world’s coolest CD design and labeling software.
He has written feature articles for IdN
Magazine about type and typography, and is hard at work on the much-awaited
2nd edition to Digital Type Design Guide. Why I wrote Digital Type Design Guide... Gutenberg may have introduced moveable type in 1451, but he failed to write a user manual for it, establishing a precedent that’s been followed pretty much ever since. Fast-forward a few hundred years to Adobe’s introduction of the PostScript language, followed closely with the advent of TrueType, there’s been a tremendous explosion in the type market. At no time in the history of literate culture have so many typefaces been available to so many people for so little money. I think this is a good thing. A major downside, however, is the paucity of information about them. Sure, there are some wonderful books about traditional typography, most written during the first half of the 20th century, and even many good books about computers, most written during the latter, but very little about using type on computers. So I wrote the book I wanted to read. In Digital Type Design Guide I tried to convey not only my love for type and the printed word, the aesthetic standards refined for over 500 years, but also my knowledge and experience with things technical. In addition to the text, I wanted to provide my readers with a decent type library, a representative sampling of all the historical periods and functional categories I discuss in the book. I think you’ll be surprised at the quality and depth of selection on the companion CD — these are good looking typefaces for just about any kind of document, and I thank SoftMaker/ATF for providing them. I’m pleased that you’re interested in my work, even if it’s just to pick up a couple of free fonts. I admit: I hope you’ll pick up a copy of my book someday too (assuming you’re not sick of the shameless self-promotion presented on these pages). Of course, there are several other good books about typography and graphic design, and I’ve compiled a selection, an annotated bibliography you might want to check out. Links are provided where you can find out more information about any of them, or even purchase them. Click here to see my book list. Regards, Sean Cavanaugh ( ) |
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