The power of writing

Type is more than an aesthetic phenomenon; it is also a statement. This is evident in the way various rulers used typography: Charlemagne, Maximilian I, Louis XIV, Napoleon I, Kemal Atatürk, Benito Mussolino, and Adolf Hitler. It can be programmatic, revolutionary, restorative, or even a symbol of power. The study of this relationship between ruler and type forms the basis for a comprehensive examination that leads from the past to the present.

How do states present themselves today? What is fascinating and unexpected is the powerful influence of different strands of tradition. An analytical examination traces the traditions of state printing. This reveals a clear relationship between writing and rhetoric, typography and ceremony. This comprehensive section on the power of writing is preceded by an introductory chapter on the currently emerging field of design research. It presents its approaches and methods in a concise and clear manner, highlighting their opportunities and potential.

Now with a redesigned dust jacket!