Retro Fonts : the real thing

One of my serious on-going complaints in the graphic arts industry is the use of the term “retro” — fewer and fewer designers actually know what it means. We’re seeing literally hundreds of tutorials titled retro-this or retro-that. So, listen up young designers: here’s the quintessential reference on the use of ‘retro’ fonts. In fact, it’s called RETROFONTS!

Retrofonts ... Collection of great fonts Retrofonts is a huge, hard-bound fonts sample book One of my serious on-going complaints in the graphic arts industry is the use of the term “retro” — fewer and fewer designers actually know what it means. We’re seeing literally hundreds of tutorials titled retro-this or retro-that. So, listen up young designers: here’s the quintessential reference on the use of ‘retro’ fonts. In fact, it’s called RETROFONTS!

Graphic design icon Steven Heller writes in his New York Times column :

Quoting  begins
A graphic designer can’t have too many books of typography. These specimen books nourish and replenish, inform and delight. I own more than 100 type catalogs and manuals dating to the late 19th century, and I know other designers (or design lovers) who have compiled even larger and rarer stashes. This holiday season, it’s a safe bet that type books will be welcome gifts for font-aholics everywhere. Quoting  ends

Retrofonts is a huge, hardbound, collectable tome of font samples from the middle of the nineteenth century and the end of the twentieth century. Every single page is a visual treat of font sets or splendid art samples of the actual fonts in use.

samples from the RETROFONT book

Arranged chronologically, every section provides a historical, political and cultural context for the eras during which these fonts were created. Presented in the style of old type specimen books, the fonts are showcased in conjunction with visual examples of how they were used in an array of design applications.

Author Gregor Stawinski covers every base. Represented is Art Nouveau, Japonism, Art Deco, Bauhaus, and Constructivism. The timeline walks from 1830 through 1990, from organic to calligraphic, to Swiss, pop, disco, postmodern and punk. With many, you’ll see the way they were use in time appropriate color and layout.

As Stawinski notes,

Quoting  begins Typographical time travel succeeds when, as in this book, the most popular typographical trends of different periods in high, low and mass culture are brought together in a vivid presentation. Only then will a review of the exciting history of typography in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries provide thrilling discoveries, forge informative connections or simply entertain. Quoting  ends

Art samples from the Retrofonts book

Now, if that weren’t enough, wait ’til you see the enclosed CD! This disc brings you 222 copyright-free fonts so you can put all that fresh inspiration to work. Use these fonts in any way you choose, making this book an invaluable tool for anyone interested in graphic design and typography — required for graphic designers, design studios, sign shops and even in-house marketing and merchandising departments.

retrofonts - 800 free fonts

Retrofonts will do more than educate and inspire you. It will put some new tricks and fresh looks into your tool box. You owe it to yourself to get this tome today!

Retrofonts
Gregor Stawinski
Page Count: 560 ; Size: 6.75 x 9.75 inches ; Format: Casebound w/ CD

GO Retro fonts print samples

GO Beautifully bound with Letterpress embossed cover

GO Steven Heller’s New York Times Review

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Thanks for reading, and, we thank you for your support.

Fred Showker

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