I find Robert Bringhurst’s The Grand Design from The Elements of Typography Style is very poetic. He uses quite a few elaborate analogies, and describes typography as an art form on its own, rather than an element that accompanies or complements something more major or essential, comparing it to a musical performance and theatrical production. He also goes into depth how it is not just an art form but also an acquired and understated skill that takes knowledge of how the treatment of the letter forms affect the other links in the formula of the whole composition. And that it is a tricky thing for typography to do its job well but not do it too well to the point where it takes center stage. It can influence, persuade, seduce and mislead. But it is shown that typography is most successful in its subtleties, and providing basic functions. Although the constraints of a typographer’s job always varies, no matter the amount of creative freedom allowed to the job, the requirements are still the same. And when the job is done correctly there is a harmony between the form and the linguistic meaning. I think that the text holds great relevance to the course in the importance of first understanding meaning and symbolism of a text and then revealing it through typographic means. And its interesting to use the comparison of a successful musical composition to a successful work of typography, implying that even the simplest formation of notes rhythm and lyrics can form such a compelling piece due to the relationship, and so the same thing can be said when working with type.
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