Garamond Type Specimem Book
Challenge
The goal of this project was to create a type specimen book that highlights the versatility of a chosen typeface family. The requirements were to also include 6 poems from a chosen poet and complimentary imagery. The book was printed and bound by hand at the end of the project.
Process
I chose the typeface Garamond Premier Pro. Drawing inspiration from the origin of the typeface, I integrated in Renaissance imagery to emphasize its timeless elegance. The design is clean and sophisticated with a muted and earthy color palette. The visuals were crafted using Ideogram, an AI tool. The textual content is a blend of research and poetic verses by Ben Jonson. Jonson’s prominence in English Renaissance literature aligns with the narrative of the project and the essence of Garamond.
Result
The final result of the project is a 32-page type specimen book, at a final size of 7.5 × 8.5 inches. Demonstrating various weights, point sizes, and treatments throughout the book. The six distinct weights are presented through the complete alphabet, numbers, and special characters. The pages with poetry and historical context showcase how the different weights can be used together to create hierarchy. Additionally, two pages show the unique anatomical features of the typeface. As a whole, the book provides a comprehensive showcase.
