Graphics World magazine, Nov/Dec 1988

I love this cover. At first glance it feels like a soup of ’80s clutter. But quickly you discover the multiple layers of editorial inquiry — each meant to be read, not just looked at — with clear visual references to analog and digital typesetting.

It seems like there are dozens of typefaces at play here. But really, there are only three. Two, if you don’t count the magazine logo and teasers.

“1988 was an interesting period with computer typography still in its infancy. The issue notes in its editorial: ‘…fuelled by advances in computer technology which promise (even if they do not always deliver) to bring the process of typesetting completely within the designer’s control, typography is firmly back in fashion’.” — John Pitt