DIGNITY IN DESIGN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26692, 11 February 1948, Page 2

DIGNITY IN DESIGN

Lettering and Design. By Eric Roberts. Angus and Robertson, Ltd., Sydney. 22s net.

Among the arts that were practised in ancient time that of lettering and calligraphy . has suffered more than most in the course of its disorderly evolution. The late Eric Gill was one of the first notable moderns to organise revolt against the vulgar ostentation and the meaningless ostentation that had dominated typography and lettering for so many years—and is still deplorably evident to-day—but in the Southern hemisphere little has been done to assist people to an appreciation of dignity and good taste in the presentation of word 'forms. For that reason the brochure which has been prepared by Mr Eric Roberts, specialist lettering instructor at East Sydney Technical College, is especially welcome. Although prepared primarily as a technical study of lettering and design it could profitably be employed in the education of young people in the art of formal writing, especially as its manner of presentation assists materially an understanding of the true character on the standard alphabet. The design and binding of the brochure are as stimulating as its contents, and indicate that Australian publishers can produce, when the occasion requires it, work that compares favourably with the best produced in other countries. E.A.A.