laser-lovers@uw-beaver.UUCP (Dan Mills <DBM@SU-AI>) (10/20/83)
From uucp Thu Oct 20 06:36:27 1983
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Date: 19 Oct 83 2233 PDT
From: Dan Mills <DBM@SU-AI>
Subject: "we who think font design is something important"
To: laser-lovers@WASHINGTON
Laura,
Yes, we are in the minority. Fortunately, that doesn't mean
we are wrong. The goal of text typography is to be transparent,
ie. to transmit the message with as little noise/interference
as possible. If a READER's attention is drawn to the typography
rather than the message (however slightly), the typography has
failed in some way.
A common hazard of becoming typographically aware is that one
does more LOOKing than READing. Though I defend the significance
of typographic quality, I would agree with your mother that to
judge a book solely by its typography would be a mistake.
- Dan
-----
ps For the source of the first paragraph, I refer you to an
essay by Beatrice Warde called "The Crystal Goblet or Printing
Should Be Invisible". Ask me in a day or two and I can tell
you where to find it.