Graphic Design Degrees

Typography remains one of the most integral lynchpins of both graphic and web design. Without it, the ability to share concepts, ideas, and information diminishes significantly – while stories can certainly convey themselves through entirely nonverbal means, words add an essential element of clarity and streamlining to communication. Because of its utilitarian status as an everyday occurrence, people tend to take typography at face value. However, foundries and individuals alike push the boundaries of this medium and into the realm of true art. Typography is perceived as mundane due to its ubiquity, but in reality it requires the same level of skill, creativity, and passion that goes into graphic design, painting, drawing, sculpture, and other venues of expression. These blogs understand and fully explore questions of how the medium embraces both form and function in a manner that challenges perceptions and adds another drop of innovation to the creative pool.

1. Swiss Legacy : Also concerning itself with graphic design and artistic inspiration, Swiss Legacy stands at the forefront of discussing news and trends in the typography field. It brings innovations such as dynamic typefaces to light, helping to nurture further creativity.

2. I Love Typography : More than just an intelligent, well-researched, and passionate blog, I Love Typography also features a font identification game, free wallpapers, and information on how to create typefaces.

3. Design & Typo : The main blog may be in French, but Design & Typo also offers an English version by clicking a link on the left side, beneath the artist’s photo. Content focuses on questions regarding the progression of typography and issues of creativity and inspiration.

4. The Ministry of Type : Although it features the occasional discussion regarding graphic design and art as a whole, The Ministry of Type mostly offers up insightful critiques of new and exciting fonts from designers around the world.

5. Phinney on Fonts : Expert typographer Thomas Phinney weighs in on issues regarding fonts and font implementation from across the web. Many of his articles involve not only commentary on the design work that goes into creating compelling typography, but the technical aspect involving how it interacts with web coding and scripts as well.

6. TypeOff :Once a collective blog run by several German graphic design students, TypeOff now operates mainly as a repository of ideas for founder Dan Reynolds. The expatriate American comments on recent news regarding typography and his experiences in the industry and at conferences.

7. Typefoundry : Peering beyond the digital, Typefoundry looks at fonts and typography throughout history. Articles cover information and questions on the subject from as far back as the invention of printing itself.

8. The Grid System : The grid system has long been a necessary accomplice to competent and functional typography, and this blog focuses on how it relates to fonts as well as the entirety of graphic design itself.

9. Ralf Hermann’s Typography Weblog : Bauhaus University Weimar alum and typography guru Ralf Hermann peers into how fonts shape communication just as much as it does art itself. He analyzes and critiques typography in both the real and digital worlds.

Source : wikipedia

10. Typeblography : Adobe’s Type Development Team shares their progress on projects alongside all aspects of font and typography development. They glimpse into the history just as often as they do the present, and even take some time to discuss the business end as well.

11. Typophile : This exhaustive resource offers a forum and wiki alongside its coverage of typography news. It not only looks at current trends, but also offers up questions and insights as to what directions the industry may head next.

12. The FontFeed : Eclectic and informative, The FontFeed looks at how typography gets applied in the real world as a means of conveying ideas and concepts. They also recommend fonts and discuss different possible techniques for their use.

13. Typographica : One of the quintessential typography blogs on the web, Typographica reviews fonts on their creativity and utility and books on how much they contribute to the medium. They occasionally offer commentary on typeface designs as well.

14. FontStruct : Foundry FontStruct offers downloads and discussions about their designs and the designs of others. The blog mostly talks about changes made to their site in addition to their projects, and it provides an insightful glimpse into how fonts and typefaces come to exist.

15. Slanted : An English version of this German blog is available. While it focuses more on innovations in Europe, both the site as well as the printed magazine nurture and encourage debate and discussion on the topics of typography, fonts, typefaces, and general design.

16. Fontshop – Unzipped : Fontshop sells fonts as well as offering critiques and news regarding the typography industry. Many of the articles involve awards, aesthetics issues, and how various fonts get applied to real-world communication.

17. Jon Tangerine : Designer and typographer Jon Tan analyzes fonts, reviews books, and even asks his contemporaries to weigh in on contemporary design issues. He also relates stories of his experiences at meetings and conferences, offering a peek into the current mindsets and ideas pertaining to typography

18. Nice Web Type : Nice Web Type focuses on making sense of the multitude of concepts and perspectives surrounding typography, looking at compromises and collectivism as a means of moving the medium ever forward. In addition, they look at technical issues and conduct interviews as well.

19. Zeldman.com : The irreverent Jeffrey Zeldman is a prominent and respected leader in the field of web design. Although his blog does emphasize web standards on the whole, he nevertheless features some fantastic articles on the integral role typography plays when it comes to creating blogs, websites, and other forms of online presence.

20. Type for you : One of the most comprehensive typography blogs available, Type for you explores every aspect of the medium imaginable. From book reviews to news to debates, this amazing resource offers a wide variety of enlightening perspectives and ideas for those interested in learning as much as they can about how type affects and reflects the world around it.

Source : wikipedia

21. AisleOne : AisleOne concerns itself specifically with the modernist and minimalist movements, but occasionally delves into issues and news regarding the grid system and graphic design as well.

22. Chank! : ChankCo creates fun, whimsical, and novelty fonts for all different applications, and their blog discusses their artwork as well as related technological and creative concerns.

23. Fountain : This blog emphasizes typography news, philosophies on its role in society, and previews of upcoming fonts. In addition, it also runs its own foundry featuring a very wide selection of different typefaces.

24. Hoefler & Frere-Jones : Foundry Hoefler & Frere-Jones offers an impressive collection of fonts and font families. Their blog, however, reflects upon the creative process that goes into creating typefaces as well as current trends in the industry.

25. Daily Type : Daily Type features an extremely simple yet innovative concept. Every day, participating designers post a new font – sometimes Cyrillic, sometimes Latin. Some even come created in the real world through the use of baking dough and other materials. Users can explore and offer critique on their own spaces.

26. Cooper Union Typography : Tied in with Cooper Union graphic design classes, their typography blog nevertheless offers plenty for those not enrolled. Students look into how fonts and words convey specific meanings both offline and online, though occasionally blurring the line between the two.

27. Tarek Atrissi’s Blog : Explore the world of Arabic typography and learn more about the medium as it is used in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and other nations. One of the most prominent issues revolves around how to incorporate modern design without isolating more traditional audiences.

28. We Love Typography : This simple but passionate blog invites users to post pictures and screenshots of typography they love in application. It serves as a way for viewers to decide for themselves the effectiveness of the images and consider how they interact with fonts on a daily basis.

29. nicetype : nicetype combines typography, fonts, and graphic design for a fresh, personable, and enjoyable peek into how the three factor into everyday life. They also showcase some extremely innovative fonts and typographical designs as well.

30. Fontef Photolog : Another forum for contributors to post photos of typography examples from daily life – from architecture to water meters and everything in between. Visitors may post comments on their opinions and perceptions of the offerings as a means of sparking debate and discussion.

31. for the love of type :The author’s infatuation with fonts and typography shine through in this joyful blog. Chronicling everything from differences in street signs on the same block to spelling errors in bookstores, for the love of type highlights how humanity relates to and experiences words.

32. Death by Kerning : Graphic design and typography collide head-on in Death by Kerning, where artist Shikha Savdas shows off some of her favorite projects from around the internet. She also offers links to her portfolio and Etsy shop to discover how she blends the disciplines together.

33. Ransom Note Typography : This fun, quirky blog requires readers to peruse through the blogger’s personal musings and amusing shenanigans, but his commentary on typography, fonts, and graphic design delights as much as it offers insights.

Source: wikipedia

34. pedestrian typography : pedestrian typography offers yet another venue through which photographers share their observations of typography and word art as it applies to real life. Some of the graffiti shots stand out as particularly stunning examples.

35. Chris Beesley : Connecticut designer Chris Beesley observes and critiques the use of typography in public settings and incorporated into graphic design work. His “Typographic Eyesores” section points out some amusing errors.

36. 5shutters :Although 5shutters emphasizes photography, it also keeps readers up to date on trends in typography and other graphic design-related subjects as well. They advocate a DIY-approach to the arts, providing tips and tricks for getting the most out of hard work, dedication, and a little creativity.

37. typographias : The site may be in Portuguese, but the focus here lay on examples of typography as applied to everyday objects such as boats and signage. The contributors provide only minimal commentary – if ever – and leave visitors to formulate their own conclusions and opinions.

38. A Blog about Typography, Letterpress, and Printing History : One of the most exhaustive, passionate, and educational typography blogs available, this labor of love analyzes the subject through an historical lens. It explores how print and fonts evolved through the centuries, reminding readers that type as art did not come into existence in the digital age.

39. upscale typography : Sophisticated independent foundry Parachute presents some of their favorite digital and print examples of fonts and typographical art. They also occasionally provide peeks into their creative process and commentary on current design trends.

40. Typo.cz : Respected magazine Typo establishes its presence online in this extensive, intelligent blog. Articles track conferences, raise questions about innovations and trends within the industry, and discuss changes to the site.

41. Ari Davidow: Hebrew Typesetter Extraordinaire : Well-informed and intriguing, expert Hebrew typesetter Ari Davidow draws from his nearly three decades of experience to discuss typography as it relates to one language. He delves into the history as well as the future of Hebrew as a design element.

42. Urban Fonts : In addition to the usual commentary on font use, general design, and technology that comes standard with most typography blogs, Urban Fonts shares free fonts and dingbats with visitors.

43. Fontleech : Fontleech has not updated in a while, but its commentary on various typefaces still remains valid and astute. Some of the offers can even be downloaded free of charge and without any licensing agreement as well.

44. Mark Simonson Studio : Shop, studio, and blog, this site discusses a couple of issues pertaining to typography. However, most of the content revolves around past and current font and lettering projects.

45. This is Not a Weblog :This Spanish site does offer an English version, with a wide variety of excellent articles analyzing typography trends, news, and topics. ReType also operates as a foundry with several clean, useful fonts to their name.

Source: wikipedia

46. fontblog :With an eye for readability and clarity, fontblog presents multiple articles on typography as it relates to technology old and new. Many of the problems the owner probes involve how to best create a font that reduces eye stress and visual strain.

47. TypeNeu : TypeNeu stands at the cutting edge of typography, with news coverage and a penchant for keeping up with the latest trends. Many other design blogs turn to this amazing resource to supplement their own content.

48. The Typography Manual : iPhone and iPhone Touch users fascinated by fonts and typefaces may find their interests piqued with this application. The blog discusses updates to the program, which thus far includes anatomy lessons, a font size ruler, an em calculator, style guides, HTML codes, and more.

49. Free Font Manifesto :Taking a cue from the Creative Commons License, blogger Ellen attempts to establish a connection between foundries and designers to distribute certain fonts free of charge. She sees typography as an art to be shared and used as a conduit for creativity as opposed to a commodity.

50. exljbris Font Foundry :Font Foundry exljbris shows off typography projects, embeds video on the printing process, and discusses progress made on their current activities. Those considering a career in the field will especially appreciate the details of daily life at a studio.

Typographers around the world have taken to the internet as a means of promoting and discussing their highly underappreciated art. Whether incorporated into a graphic design piece or standing on its own as a creative means of communication, typography deserves recognition as a valid art form which serves utilitarian as well as aesthetic purposes.