Idea: Special Issue (Typography Today)

In 1980, the Japanese graphic design magazine Idea dedicated a special issue to the typography of today—although, in truth, “today” included the last sixty years. The issue is a total stunner, loaded with things both familiar and unknown. And because the sources are so varied, those familiar favorites seem new when juxtaposed with what is less well-known. With contributions by John Cage, Wim Crouwel, Franco Grignani, Helmut Schmid, Kohei Sugiura, and Wolfgang Weingart, the issue also includes the essay “Typography as Communication and Form” by Emil Ruder. Good. Good. Good.