<<Note from the editor:>>

This book is the first to look critically at that range from the viewpoint of the architect and planner rather than that of the typographer alone. The author, one of Britain’s leading graphic designers, uses over 300 photographs and 35 line drawings to illustrate the variety of letterforms and their impact, drawing his examples from all periods of history and from many different cultures. Yet the book is not simply a magnificent survey of the best in public lettering. It also gives practical advice – closely linked to the illustrations – on criteria for the design of the lettering itself, and on the wide variety of materials and methods available, and how to use them successfully. A final chapter shows some examples of truly remarkable lettering which point the way to future developments.’