Just My Type: A Book About Fonts by Simon Garfield

The book Just My Type: A Book About Fonts, written by Simon Garfield, is a comprehensive look at the world of typography. The book gives readers a behind-the-scenes look at the evolution of typography and highlights the work of some of the most influential type designers in history. Through stories and anecdotes, Garfield reveals the history and personalities of certain typefaces, including Helvetica, Futura, and Comic Sans.

Garfield breaks down the book into three parts; the first focuses on the evolution of type, the second delves into type designers and the third explores the impact of typography on our culture.

In Just My Type, Garfield discusses the evolution of type design through the centuries. He begins with the invention of moveable type by Johannes Gutenberg in the 15th century, which revolutionized the printing industry. Garfield then turns to the 19th century with the invention of the typewriter and the rise of serif and sans-serif typefaces.

In the second part of the book, Garfield introduces some of the most influential type designers in history. He tells their stories and shares anecdotes about their work. He particularly focuses on the Swiss design team of Adrian Frutiger and Edouard Hoffman, whose typefaces, such as Avenir and Univers, are now widely used. Garfield goes on to discuss the work of Hermann Zapf and Matthew Carter, two type designer greats of the 20th century.

In the third part of Just My Type, Garfield examines the impact of typography on our culture. He discusses how typefaces can influence the way we perceive brands, how it can add emotion to a design, and how it can evoke a specific mood. He looks at the use of type in advertising, publishing, and the web, and how it has increasingly become a part of popular culture. Specifically, Garfield touches on the controversy surrounding the use of Comic Sans, which is generally seen as a typeface to be avoided in serious design.

The last chapter sees Garfield look towards the future of typography, discussing the trends that are likely to shape the industry. He talks about the art of hand-lettering - a trend resulting from advances in virtual type - and how new technologies are allowing for an ever-diversifying field of typefaces. He also looks at the use of typefaces in mobile design, which he believes will push typography forwards in the next decade.

Just My Type is a comprehensive look at type design and its history, as well as its impact on modern culture. Through stories, anecdotes, and detailed information about the work of some of the world's most influential type designers, Garfield gives readers a well-rounded view of the field. The book is an informative and engaging read for anyone interested in understanding typography and its impact on modern design.