Webworks: Typography

Rating:
Summary: A self-indulgent excercise in graphic design.
Review: I'm relieved that I only checked this book out out from the libraray instead of dropping almost $50 to purchase it. While it purports to discuss typography, it's clear even from the table of contents - and certainly from the body of the book - that "Webworks: Typography" is largely an excercise in graphic design. And even the graphic design fails on its most basic level, that of coherance.

The book is made up of several mini-sections, each one devoted to a different web-available foundry. Six examples of each foundry's typefaces are presented in tiny boxes at the bottoms of the pages. The remaining 95% of the space is devoted to overwrought images and mutilated text relating each foundry's approach to typography.

It's barely comprehensible. Think of the worst example of fast MTV video-editing on paper. That's how this book is designed. There is a predilection for web design here, and clearly this is a book was created by and for young people with very little reverance for text. Judging by the samples in the book, many of these foundries are even trying to turn the letters we use for text into flashy monuments of their creativity. Nevermind the actual words, I guess.

I found two nice foundries in the book, not surprisingly both are situated in Europe, where there appears to be a stronger comprehension of the the concept of text legibility.

Rating:
Summary: fascinating
Review: This book is a very visual account of what is on the cutting edge of typography today. Vivid colors and interesting layouts provide readers with a real "feel" for how the typographers use their designs for special effects. The authors of this book had a real eye for the true artists in typography. A great book for people who are interested in designing their own work or for those just looking for new and interesting contributors to this unique field.

Rating:
Summary: mostly uninspired faddish typography.
Review: This book is filled with typography design that seems to have evolved with no knowledge of the past histoy of typographic design. Some of the comments made by the designers had some value, but the examples of their work didn't always match their jargon.The book is boring, uninspiring and I returned my copy. Save your money. There are better books out there.