Back to Font

Warning: this book may cause you to rethink your default typeface settings.

Back to Font uncovers the secrets and lives behind 16 of the most famous typefaces. It answers all sorts of questions you might never have thought to ask before. Like: who were their 'parents' and where were they 'born'? What's pretty and interesting about them, and what isn't? How are the typefaces used (and abused), and where can you find them 'in the wild'? Most importantly, these chatty and opinionated insights will help you decide whether to kiss, marry or kill each typeface.

Who knew type could provoke such controversy? (We did.)

Featuring:

Times New Roman / Gill Sans / Futura / Bodoni / Goudy / Baskerville / Akzidenz Grotesk /

Mrs Eaves / Trajan / Novarese / Bell Centennial / Foundry Sterling / Transport /

Zapf Dingbats / Univers / Papyrus

About the Authors

Anitra Nottingham worked as a book designer for Oxford University Press, and Penguin Books, Australia. She was Online Director for the School of Graphic Design at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco for 13 years, where she taught typography and graphic design history. Anitra is now Lead Learning Designer at the University of Melbourne Online, where, among other things, she ensures that the learning design team uses en-dashes correctly.

Jason Phillips began his career designing banknotes, before moving into book design for Oxford University Press, Hardie Grant Books, and a number of other Australian and international publishers. He spent a decade teaching tertiary-level typography and editorial design. Jason currently works in curriculum development in the vocational training sector, where his role includes educating stakeholders that Arial is not their friend.