Product Description

In this digital age of computer-generated graphics and typography, it’s refreshing to find typographers who still believe in working by hand. No longer relegated to designer’s sketchbooks, hand-drawn type has emerged from the underground as a dynamic vehicle for visual communication—from magazine, book, and album covers to movie credits and football advertisements. As the practice and appreciation of hand-drawn type grows, it's time to celebrate the work of those typographers whose every letterform is a work of art.

Hand Job collects groundbreaking work from fifty an international array of today’s most talented typographers who draw by hand. Graphic designer and hand typographer Michael Perry selects work representing the full spectrum of design methods and styles. Each hand-drawn work is entirely shaped by the artist’s unique process—every one a carefully executed composition enhanced by unplanned “accidents” of line, color, and craft. Hand Job also includes photographs of found type, artist’s studios, and the tools that help make typography come to life. Whether you are looking to invigorate your design work or are just in need of a little offbeat inspiration, Hand Job will have you reaching for your favorite pen.

Michael Perry is a graphic designer and typographer who has created hand-drawn type for such clients as Urban Outfitters, American Eagle Outfitters, MTV, Rome SDS, Polyvinyl Records, and Amelias magazine.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #30606 in Books
• Published on: 2007-08-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Review
"Cheeky, youthful exuberance..." --Library Journal, Mark Woodhouse, November 1, 2007

...Of the 55 practitioners of hand-drawn typography represented here -- each given between two and six pages to show his or her stuff -- none creates work that is remotely ordinary. -- Metropolis, September 2007

...chock-full of inspiration for designers an eye candy for those who just dress like them...Hand Job is about the next generation of superstars, from frighteningly talented students to rising taste makers Deanne Cheuk and Kevin Lyons. It's hours of fun. -- Time Out Chicago, December 3, 2007

...it's uplifting to experience a graphic design book that focuses on hand-drawn typography...vibrant and alive...hip without being pretentious--a true look at an underappreciated art form. This is the perfect book for anyone who appreciated graphic design and values sincere uniqueness. -- BrandChannel.com, October 2007

A technique which transforms every shape of letter into an art, which celebrates every curve, every height and every upstroke. Sublime and reassuring at the golden age in the computing. -- Rosebuzz, Winter 2008

If, like many of us, you're tired of seeing one computer-generated graphic after another, Hand Job might provide a refreshing change. The book is a collection of hand-drawn type from 55 of today's most-talented hand typographers. -- Step Inside Design, November 2007

Review
"The new book Hand Job: A Catalog of Type by Mike Perry (Princeton Architectural Press, 2007), is a fascinating 250-page tome in its own right, with clever, cute and sometimes bizarre examples of custom-penned letterforms.

Review
"Hand Job, A Catalog of Type by Michael Perry was just released on Amazon. I was thrilled to see this, because it originally wasnt scheduled for release until November...and I was drooling in anticipation. Got it Friday and it didnt disappoint.

Customer Reviews

While not what I expected, a great reference book
I was hoping for pages filled with fonts A-z and 0-9 in hand drawn styles and seeing how they were applied to ads, flyers, etc. Instead, several examples per artist are shown in alphabetical order by name of the artist. Website references are give for most artists.
This book is extremely liberating given the approach I typically apply to typography and typesetting.

The Best
This book pulls together hand done type from all kinds of sources. If you are a graphic designer or illustrator, this is an overwhelming source of inspiration, and you will look at it everyday. It has something for everyone, and is worth every penny and more.

Some gems, the rest; not so much
I was really looking forward to receiving this book. It arrived and I opened it on the best design. There are a couple of real gems in there, but there is a big gap between these gems (Adam Haye, Jose Ricardo Cabral Cabacos, A.J. Purdy and Luke Ramsey) and the rest.