Design for Printing – E. B. Eddy Paper Company, Carl Dair, 1947

Using the four basic elements of design; the square, circle, triangle and line, Carl Dair created a deceptively simple cover for Design for Printing. To reinforce the simplicity of the design Dair used the geometric typeface Futura, designed by Paul Renner. Futura was released by the German foundry, Bauer in 1927 and is the first commercially successful typeface whose design is based on those four basic elements. Futura was copied by many foundries. The version of Futura that Dair uses here is 20th Century, it was produced by Lanston Monotype in 1937. Linotype’s version, Spartan, was released in 1939.

A typical double page spread from Design for Printing. Dair explains each of the eight basic principles of design beginning on the left with a summary of the key features of each topic, followed on the right by examples showing how they can be applied. All the examples are illustrated with hand rendered rough layouts.

Notes

Design for Printing is the second booklet in a series by Carl Dair for The E. B. Eddy Company exploring various aspects of typography and paper. In eight short chapters Dair provides a comprehensive summary of the basic principles of design, as applied to typography, with examples of their practical application shown in miniature rough layouts.

In 1947 there were few design studios in Canada. The larger printers had in-house studios employing designers, lettering artists and illustrators. Smaller printers might have someone on staff who could take care of ‘layouts’. It was quite common for printers not to charge for design because it was simply considered part of the cost of printing job. Dair, and others, were trying to elevate the role of design in printing and commercial art. These booklets were also aimed at students enrolled in the newly developed commercial art courses in colleges. As with Type & Paper, Design for Printing proved so popular that it soon warranted a second printing. – Rod McDonald

Artifact Text:

(from the index, Design for Printing)

1. Unity of composition

2. Balance

3. The tools of emphasis

4. Harmony with subject

5. Contrast of weight

6. Contrast of form

7. Contrast of colour

8. Contrast of direction

Category
Publications
Title
Design for Printing, A guide to typographic design
Date
1947
Client
The E. B. Eddy Company, Specialty Papers Division, Hull, Canada
Credits
Design: Carl Dair (1912–1967)
Author: Carl Dair
Principal Typefaces
Cover: 20th Century (Futura)
Text: Bodoni, various
Description
Two-colour booklet, 18 pp
Size: 5.75 × 8.75 inches
Region
Quebec
Language
English
Images
2
Holding
Canadian Typography Archives
Artifact copyright: CTA was unable to clarify rights but welcomes contact from rightsholders to resolve permissions, if required, and will remove digitized works at the rightsholder’s request (rightsholders may contact CTA at copyright@canadiantypography.ca). CTA makes digitized works available for education and research. Responsibility for any use rests with the user.
Notes copyright: Notes accompanying artifacts are licenced under Creative Commons licensing CCbyNC which allows for non-commercial use with attribute.

Also in this series:

Type & Paper – E. B. Eddy Paper Company, Carl Dair, 1946

The Art of the Printer – E.B. Eddy Paper Company, Carl Dair, 1956

Spacing – E.B. Eddy Paper Company, Carl Dair, 1954

Type Talks – E.B. Eddy Paper Company, Carl Dair, 1948

You might also like:

Design with Type (1st edition) – Carl Dair, 1952

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