Just My Type: A Book About Fonts by Simon Garfield

Let’s explore the fascinating world of fonts in the summary of “Just My Type: A Book About Fonts” by Simon Garfield.

Introduction

In “Just My Type,” Simon Garfield takes us on a delightful journey through the history and significance of typefaces. These seemingly mundane elements—fonts—surround us every day, from street signs and buildings to movie posters and books. But where do fonts come from, and why do we need so many? Garfield’s exploration begins with Gutenberg’s early days and extends to the most adventurous digital fonts, revealing the rich history and subtle powers of type.

Main Characters

While “Just My Type” doesn’t have traditional characters, it profiles influential figures in the world of typography:

• Type Designers: From Baskerville to Zapf, these visionaries shaped fonts over centuries.
• Neville Brody: A rule-breaker who challenged conventions and pushed the boundaries of type design.

Plot

The book doesn’t follow a traditional plot, but it uncovers intriguing font-related mysteries:

• Helvetica’s Global Dominance: How did Helvetica become the ubiquitous typeface worldwide?
• Comic Sans Controversy: Why does Comic Sans evoke strong reactions, both love and disdain?
• The Beatles Logo: Garfield explores why the “T” in the Beatles logo is longer than the other letters.
• Gotham and Obama: Learn how the font Gotham played a role in Barack Obama’s election campaign.

Setting

• Time: The exploration spans over 500 years, from the invention of movable type by Gutenberg to the digital era.
• Place: The setting is global, as fonts impact everything from street signs in London to album covers and office documents.

Themes

1. Influence of Tradition: Fonts created centuries ago still shape our choices today.
2. Personality and Fonts: Garfield delves into the psychology behind font preferences.
3. Design and Politics: Fonts play a role in branding, campaigns, and cultural shifts.

Conclusion

“Just My Type” is a must-read for design enthusiasts and anyone curious about the hidden world of fonts. Garfield’s witty prose and font-related anecdotes make this book both informative and entertaining. So next time you see a sign or open a book, remember that behind those letters lies a rich history and a world of creativity.

Read full book here

Also check out…

• The Art Book by Phaidon Press
• Wall and Piece by Banksy
• Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative by Austin Kleon