Starting with the Typeface: How Design Changes Life and Society

This book is a collection of observations that reflect on social life through the lens of typography. Divided into six chapters—covering mass consumption, transportation spaces, reading experiences, printing technology, typeface history, and public society—it explores the broad spectrum of visual culture, starting from everyday typographic clues and progressing from simple to in-depth analysis.

Text is a core element in transmitting thoughts and values, while the design and development of typefaces determine the written forms that the public sees. Although typographic design is handled by a small number of professionals, its application is widely participated in by everyone, acting as a catalyst in how we process information, make consumer choices, enjoy public services, and form cultural identities. Its power is subtle yet potent. In the past decade, a "font craze" has gradually emerged among creative classes and youth in the West and China. People are increasingly aware of different typefaces and their variations, appreciating their aesthetic appeal as visual symbols, yet often remain at a superficial level, overlooking their historical and social context.

Beginning with Type is aimed at a general audience interested in visual culture, not limited to professional readers. Unlike typical design books that focus on showcasing works, this book centers on events and processes, delving into the dynamic production relationships behind design and explaining how it shapes cultural and...