/  octavo 86.2 editorial — written by s.j. with input from mark holt,    hamish muir and michael burke.
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	It is a fact that typography is rarely noticed and of little interest to most people, including some graphic designers: perhaps the raw material, the type forms, are too familiar. This disinterest, coupled with a lack of inspired typography in the environment, has brought us almost to the point where type is either applied as ‘the grey stuff at the bottom’ (centred of course), to bring a basic level of communication to an image-based design, or used as structureless decoration in the latest attempt to appear contemporary. Typography, however, is a visual language in itself, whose syntax and grammar of form need to be learned if type is to be used as an effective and intense tool of communication. Fluency in any language requires serious study of that language’s particular structure and vocabulary: proficiency is not achieved by merely being able to quote a few hastily learned phrases. Type is used by many people in design and related professions; admen, architects and illustrators, some of whom have no formal typographic training. Consequently type is often abused and devalued (misquoted as it were), which lowers both standards and expectations. But it is too easy to criticise without being constructive. Better to try to raise the level and volume of discussion. Better to keep looking and working, keep learning the language.