From Letters to Fonts (The Art of Typeface Creation)

A practical, fully illustrated guide that takes you step by step through the complete process of designing professional typefaces from scratch. An essential element of successful graphic design, type shapes how we read, interpret, and experience visual communication. In this comprehensive guide, renowned type designer Matthieu Salvaggio shares his step-by-step method for creating letters, numbers, and symbols, leading readers from initial concepts to fully realised, market-ready fonts. Beginning with the fundamental principles and terminology of type design, the book establishes a clear foundation before moving into the detailed construction of letterforms covering structure, proportion, spacing, optical correction, and visual consistency across entire type families. Through hundreds of original diagrams, visual comparisons, and practical examples, complex ideas are made accessible and actionable. Each stage of the process is explored in depth, from sketching and refining individual glyphs to building cohesive alphabets and testing them in real-world contexts. The book also introduces advanced topics such as italic design, variable fonts, interpolation, and the technical aspects of font production, export, and on-screen rendering. Beyond design, it offers practical insight into distribution, licensing, pricing, and the realities of bringing typefaces to market today. Both a learning tool and an ongoing reference, it is an essential companion for students, designers, and anyone ready to create expressive, functional, and professional typefaces.