Never Use More Than Two Different Typefaces, 2010

Le mot Ridiculous dans le titre, c’est pour le fun. Le livre n’est ni pour ni contre les cinquante dites règles. (Et il en ajoute une 51e : Break the rules.) Sur chacune des règles, il donne des citations pour ou contre.

1. Never use more than two different typefaces
2. Use a grid
3. Good type speaks louder than words
4. There is no such thing as bad type
5. Use italics to create emphasis
6. Type design is a discipline
7. Make it legible
8. Try and error
9. Don’t let bad spelling hurt great design
10. Stick with (sans) serif
11. Good designers copy, great designers steal
12. Never use the space bar to align text
13. Create a strong hierarchy
14. Typeface dictates the message
15. Don’t turn the typeface into an image
16. Never stretch a font
17. Good typeface is invisible
18. “Design is thinking made visual”
19. Make it readable
20. A picture is worth a thousand words
21. Never use all CAPS
22. “Design is a problem-solving activity”
23. Never use an image behind your text
24. Consider the medium
25. (S)pace yourself
26. Contrast between type and background
27. Freehand is obsolete
28. Helvetica always works
29. Avoid combining similar typefaces
30. Never use Comic Sans
31. Type needs rhythm
32. Find a good balance
33. Stick to the basics
34. Bigger is better
35. Avoid widows and orphans
36. “Don’t try to be original, just try to be good”
37. Make it pretty
38. Hold the (base)line
39. Turn it upside down
40. God is in the details
41. Align left
42. Know your audience
43. Stick to screen fonts
44. Name that type!
45. “Never use white type on a black background”
46. Keep it neutral
47. The client is always right
48. Indicate paragraphs
49. Be creative
50. Designers hate Arial
51. Break the rules