Typography is one of the first - and often one of the most difficult - design skills you can master. A clear understanding of its potential is essential if you are to make the most of any design. 'Decorative Typography' shows you just how to introduce those flourishes and embellishments that add an individual touch of style and personality to any given typeface. All the possibilities from the introduction of a simple rule to the use of decorative raised capitals and the potential of shadow and reversing out are covered, demonstrating the dramatic design effects that can result.
The first chapter in section one looks at typefaces, their individual personalities, and how you can manipulate them to convey a different mood and message. The authors show how to explore letterforms as abstract shapes, playing with size and spacing. Chapter two analyses the decorative possibilities of pattern and texture, showing how you can bring text alive by adding colour, pattern and texture. The authors examine these areas, using key illustrative examples to demonstrate how to decorate type and letterforms.
Hand-drawn techniques are covered in depth in chapter three. The book shows you how to give free-form expression to letters, words and text. Chapter four looks at ornamental style and how you can use it to inform, entertain or emphasise a message. Examples show you how to use borders, decorative rules, symbols and illustrative elements to embellish words and text settings.
A chapter on modern techniques and the application of desktop publishing closes section one. Here the authors look at photography as a creative technique, and explore the possibilities of desktop design as a time-saving tool for decorative experimentation with typography.
Section two shows decorative typography in action, with project-by-project examination of each of the key areas in the previous chapters. Step-by-step sequences trace the initial concept through to the finished product. Here the reader can look over the shoulder of other designers to see the typographic solutions that they have come up with.
Includes colour illustrations.
