Of course, this is not a new subject to typographers, much less type designers. But it's the first time in a long time that I've consciously given thought to it. I'm presented with a book that gives me the opportunity to play off the "oldness" of its subjects with the contemporary nature of its presentation: photos, computer typesetting, an ages-old issue discussed anew.
So, without asking for specific recommendations--I'm not--what about the avenues I might use to demonstrate this. For instance, there's the page size and dimension: the classic proportion: the golden pean, for the text area. But a big square page which lots of negative space, as is modern day preference. Old types and new types is obvious, I guess.
And also, possibly, the reversal of display and body text type--sans for text and serif for display. Now, about the latter: I am acutely aware--I rail about it often-how sans type for long stretches of body text is irritating to the eye and done to death these days. Still, I'm considering it.
What other areas of the page design offer the opportunity for this kind of contrast?
