/  octavo 86.1 editorial — written by s.j. with input from mark holt,    hamish muir and michael burke, the editorial of the first issue of    octavo set out the conceptual framework of the typographic journal.
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	Letterforms surround us in our daily lives. They permeate very aspect of the visual environment and play an essential role in our information-hungry society. The way in which we are presented with information can substantially affect how we absorb it; thought and meaning are diluted by poor arrangement of forms on the page, and are similarly clarified, reinforced and elevated by skilful composition. Typography is the point where content and form meet — good typography is the successful union of the two. As information technology promises to make everyone capable of designing and producing printed documents, the study of the arrangement of visual information on a given surface assumes a fresh significance, if we are not to be blessed with yet more typographic mediocrity. Octavo has evolved from a desire to see an independent publication which acts as a serious forum for the discussion of matters both contemporary and historical, relating to typographic design. In its eight issues the journal will focus primarily on typography within graphic design, but will also investigate the way in which letterforms are used in the visual arts, poetry, architecture and the environment, as well as looking at broader matters such as design education. Each issue will retain the same format, but will differ in design according to the content of the issue. Although Octavo 86.1 features mostly English work, later issues will be more international in flavour — (it would be difficult to complete eight issues of a publication with examples of good English typography. As a nation our