a new book from Hyphen Press
• The most concise statement of Noordzij’s views about writing • Provides a structure for understanding all letters, however they are produced
• Arguments are illustrated with clear and attractive drawings, made by the author • Puts forward a theory that is grounded in practice (rather than in academic learning)
‘The stroke’ is the most concise and powerful statement of Gerrit Noordzij’s theory of writing. First published in Dutch in 1985, it appears here for the first time in English. The book puts forward a genuine theory of all writing, done with any kind of generating tool. Noordzij starts with fundamentals -the space within and between letters- and proceeds in stages towards a full account of how the strokes of writing can be formed, and an analysis of the qualities of letters. Along the way, there are reflections on history and culture, and remarks on method. Noordzij’s theory serves to repair the split that grew up, with the invention of printing, between written and typographic letters. He shows us the underlying ‘written’ quality of all letters, with whatever technology they have been formed. Just by virtue of its strong theory, ‘The stroke’ has practical consequences that transcend any simple ‘how to do it’ approach.
‘I cannot remember ever finding -and in such a small space- so many essential insights into the workings of the pen and into the writing process. No-one will be able to neglect Noordzij’s book in any future discussion of the subject.’ -Jost Hochuli, Typografische Monatsblätter
88 pages, 99 b/w pictures, paperback (sewn sections)
ISBN: 0–907259–30–8
Hyphen Press
115 Bartholomew Road
London NW5 2BJ
www.hyphenpress.co.uk

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On Friday, November 25, Gerrit Noordzij presented ‘The stroke’ by giving a special lesson for students of the postgraduate course Type&Media at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague, in the presence of the editor Robin Kinross, teachers, designers and others. www.kabk.nl

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