BooksGraphic Design

Herb Lubalin: Typographer – A book that explores the typographic master

Herb Lubalin claimed not to be a great typographer. "In fact," he said, "I’m terrible, because I don’t follow the rules." This new book proves the opposite. On every page it features Lubalin’s typographic genius (logos, layouts, lettering and typefaces), and places him at the forefront of 20th century typographic innovation.

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Stack of black books with gold typography and gilt-edged pages featuring Herb Lubalin's typographic work

Lubalin is, by today’s standards, a typographic master. Everything he did – working in collaboration with some of the giants of lettering and type – had the sparkle of genius. He even had names for what he did: he described it as ‘graphic expressionism’ or ‘conceptual typography’. Using his ability to adapt, merge and create new typographic forms, he was able to enhance and amplify meaning in ways that hadn’t been seen before.

Having published two books celebrating the genius of Herb Lubalin as a graphic designer working in many spheres, this new volume Herb Lubalin: Typographer by Unit Editions concentrates solely on Lubalin’s typography. It comes with new texts, new design, new photography, and lots of previously unpublished material.

Via direct submission | All images courtesy of Unit Editions

Cover of Herb Lubalin: Typographer book with bold orange typography on black background, published by Unit Editions
Open book spread showing Herb Lubalin's "Sudler and Hennessey" poster in yellow and black on the left page, with accompanying text on the right page against a black background
Two pages from Herb Lubalin: Typographer book showing yellow and black vintage posters with bold typography and photographic portraits
Open book spread showing two of Herb Lubalin's typographic works: a photograph with ornate lettering overlay on the left, and a brown poster design with bold sans-serif typography on the right
Open book spread showing Herb Lubalin's yellow and black magazine cover designs for Face publication, demonstrating his typographic approach to layout and lettering.
Herb Lubalin: Typographer book spread displaying bold yellow and black typographic designs with experimental letterforms and layouts across open pages
Open book spread showing Herb Lubalin's EROS magazine cover on yellow background and a grid of portrait photographs for the EROS publication
Open spread from Herb Lubalin: Typographer book showing bold black logos and lettering on bright orange pages, including PBS and other iconic designs
Book cover for Herb Lubalin: Typographer featuring a portrait of Lubalin against a golden yellow background with black text and a striped graphic element on the left side
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