The Visual History of Type

GMD staff member Paul McNeil has published a definitive survey of the major typefaces produced since the advent of printing with movable type in the mid-fifteenth century to the present day. Arranged chronologically, more than 320 typefaces are faithfully reproduced in the form of their original type specimens or, where more suitable, in alternative historical settings. The typefaces are located in their historical context through brief overviews, tables and descriptions of the key attributes of each typeface.

The Visual History of Type sets out to promote an awareness of the enormous potentials contained within these signs that are often taken for granted and to communicate, clearly and concisely, the stages of the development of type in relation to cultural and technological narratives. It is a unique introduction to a core subject for all students of design and for the general reader interested in the history of communications and visual culture.

Paul McNeil is a graphic designer with a background in corporate and brand communications. He is a co-founder of MuirMcNeil, an award-winning collaborative studio specialising in typography, systems and information design. He works as a Senior Lecturer in Typography at LCC.