Book: Stop Stealing Sheep & Find Out How Type Works

Why I gave up consuming this

My typography teacher LOVED this book. Most designers I know (that I’ve asked) think it’s a great book. I think one designer even told me that it helped him understand how to discuss design with non-designers. Whatever people.

I got to page 67 in this book, which is nearly half way, and I did it mostly in one sitting (at least half the book is images). After that I couldn’t motivate myself to go back and finish it. While the book contains good, albeit basic, information about typography, I couldn’t take the unending sweeping statements unsupported by anything other than the author’s high opinion of typography. Here’s an example from page 19: “Given the typographic choices available, there is no excuse for producing bad business forms, illegible invoices, awkward applications, ridiculous receipts, or bewildering ballots.”

That’s some cute alliteration and I agree with the sentiment that the user experience should be a top priority, but give me a freakin’ break. As is typography alone creates a good form, application, and ballot. Never mind the actual text, the layout, or any other usability concern or principle of good user experience design. Erik Spiekermann needs to learn that too much overstatement diminishes your credibility and eventually makes what you have to say meaningless. I have an acquaintance like that: everything is always horrible. Then nothing is really horrible.