Typography

We are surrounded by type: in books and papers, on posters and hoardings, and even on the computer screen. But do you notice it? You shouldn’t, if it’s doing its job; advertising posters excepted of course. Good typography is elegant, understated, invisible. Choose to pay attention to this subtle world and you may never eat again:

‘I can’t go to a restaurant and order food because I keep looking at the fonts on the menu. Five minutes later I realize that it’s also talking about food.’

Don Knuth, All Questions Answered.

But you will find much to delight in, where before were only words. There is no better introduction than Robert Bringhurst’s book The Elements of Typographic Style, one of the best books to have been written on any topic. On the web much can be learnt from the Typophile Forums, not least the infectious enthusiasm of the participants.

It’s not just for pleasure, pleasure though there is in abundance. The modern mathematician is obliged, more often than not, to set her own type; and ought therefore to learn at least the rudiments of this ancient craft.