By Mia Cinelli

When we encounter typography, how do we know what it means? How is the tone of type influenced by the way it is set, when it is made, and where it exists?

Considering the social, spatial, and temporal contexts of visual language, this text informs and inspires students, educators, and professionals looking to engage more deeply with the letterforms they use and see.

Featuring diverse typographic works, “closer looks”, and interviews with practicing artists and designers, Giving Type Meaning serves to inform how and why we understand what type communicates. 

The book includes a range of global examples, including Lushootseed language letterforms (Lushootseed Sulad by Juliet Shen), Arabic calligraphy and type design (Regard Each Other as Brothers by Josh Berer, Mirsaal by Rana Abou Rjeily), American civil rights inspired type (Martin by Tré Seals), Italian concrete poetry (Storia Del Monumento by Mirella Bentivoglio), and animated Chinese characters (Motion Type Project by Ting-An Ho).

Cover design by Louise Dugdale

Published by Bloomsbury Visual Arts, 2024

Softcover, 224 pages, 250 color images, 7 × 10 inches

ISBN: 978-1-35-025583-8