Several intriguing case studies printed on a fine semi-translucent 90 lb. paper immediately follow the essay. The first is a collection of serifed vertical stroke ends based on 19th century wood types. Entitled “Crystal Goblins,” the shapes are rotated on their center and appear to have the quality of being made of glass or crystal (a quite literal interpretation of Beatrice Warde’s essay The Crystal Goblet). Another case study is a spread of Adrian Frutiger’s typeface, Univers. The characters, A-Z, are displayed—each letterform revolved around its respective origin point. They are given light and shadow, and become unique, cylindrical forms. Also presented among the case studies are Guy Williams’ 3D interpretations of Zuzana Licko’s font, Modula Ribbed and Lucas de Groot’s Jesus Loves You. In this state both have taken on an other-worldly biomorphic appearance.

In the end, Dimensional Typography’s case studies will pleasantly leave you imagining what other letterforms could become—given more depth and movement. The text will leave you imagining how much better this book could have been—given the same attention.

—Delve Withrington