Second edition, in paperback
Carolina de Bartolo with Stephen Coles and Erik Spiekermann
The second edition of Explorations in Typography is available in paperback. The softcover carries the same typesetting examples and typefaces as the hardcover, along with the visual index of page layouts and grids. Throughout, it sets an excerpt from Stop Stealing Sheep by Erik Spiekermann, with typeface descriptions by Stephen Coles and an index of alternate typefaces that are low-cost or free for educational use.
We don’t ship internationally, but you can download the digital edition below.
“As someone who works with typography and design every day, I have a few books I turn to when I need to clear my mind of clutter. One of my favorites is Robert Bringhurst’s The Elements of Typographic Style, which includes this rumination on the sanctity of the title page: “Think of the blank page as alpine meadow, or as the purity of undifferentiated being. The typographer enters this space and must change it. The reader will enter it later, to see what the typographer has done.” Lines like this refresh my understanding of the task at hand and clarify my sense of purpose. Carolina de Bartolo’s book, Explorations in Typography, has a similar effect, albeit via entirely different means.”
—Typographica.org
“…this impressive ‘visual textbook’…shows how small changes can have a big impact on the look and liveliness of text type.”
—Communication Arts magazine
“…a marvelous book that explains some of the most commonly used typesetting devices…a welcome addition to any design bookshelf.”
—The Designers Review of Books
“An atlas for the typographic explorer. The book is an inspiration, both in terms of its sheer design quality and the lessons it imparts.”
—The New Code
“I have noticed so many things with my typesetting already that I didn't notice before, and I have just started the book.”
—J.G., design student
“This book is rocking!”
—W.C., design student
“Wow, what a book! It’s the perfect blend of form and function. A true work of minimalist genius.”
—P.M., designer
“…some wonderful teaching materials.”
—C.G., design professor, The Illinois Institute of Art
“I want you to know how valuable this book is and it is one of the only books that actually shows how to do style sheets that make beautiful paragraphs. Thank you for that.”
—G.A., design professor, California State University
“I love it—it’s very beautiful and shows a wide array of advanced options for thinking about layout.”
—B.L., design professor, Portland State University
“it is a beautifully designed book that visually folds in numerous ideas about design in an accessible and thoughtful manner.”
—M.L.A., type and graphic designer and lecturer
“The book is very very useful for me, but even more useful to teach my senior as well as my junior designers at the studio.”
—W.D.O., creative director
“…something quite unique in the industry!”
—N.R., publisher
“…beautifully crafted and thoughtfully produced.”
—E.S., design professor, San Mateo Community College
“I feel like my mind has been trained when I see all the beauty in a book like this!”
—R.L., design student
“Masterful à la Müller-Brockmann’s Grid Systems.”
—D.T., startup founder and CEO
“I really love it, wish I had gotten it sooner.”
—J.D., designer
Coming Soon!
New resources for teachers using Explorations in Typography are being developed. Come back soon to check out this new feature or join our mailing list to get an email when it’s ready.
