Robert Bringhurst Typographic Hierarchy Selection

Apply Robert Bringhurst typographic hierarchy principles to establish scale, line length, and typeface pairings for complex text layouts.

4 time blocks, 50 minutes in total.

Time blocks

Determine Body Text Proportions: 10 min
Select body size, leading, and line length of 45 to 75 characters
Select Complementary Typefaces: 15 min
Match text and display faces by structural era and x-height
Map Typographic Scale and Levels: 15 min
Assign sizes for headings, subheads, captions, and running headers
Fine-Tune Details and OpenType Features: 10 min
Enable oldstyle figures, small caps, ligatures, and precise kerning

About this routine

Canadian typographer and poet Robert Bringhurst published The Elements of Typographic Style in 1992, establishing modern benchmark rules for page geometry and text layout. Designing a document starts with the body text, where line length, font size, and leading determine the fundamental rhythm of the page. Applying a Robert Bringhurst typographic hierarchy ensures that every heading, caption, and folio connects harmoniously to that core baseline.

Rather than selecting sizes at random, this structured session relies on classic modular scales and proportional increments derived from musical intervals or traditional body sizes. Choosing typefaces with matching x-heights and historical relationships keeps text legibility high across all screens or printed pages.

By working systematically from body text out to display elements, designers eliminate visual noise and build clear reading paths. The final step polishes micro-typography by enabling OpenType features like true small caps, oldstyle figures, and appropriate tracking.

Why this routine works

Establishes a harmonious vertical rhythm based on body text leading
Creates clear visual order across titles, subheads, and body copy
Eliminates arbitrary font size choices using modular scales
Refines legibility through proper line lengths and OpenType settings

FAQ

What is Robert Bringhurst's approach to typographic hierarchy?

Bringhurst emphasizes starting with the body text to set the page rhythm, then building headings and captions using proportional scales derived from classic typography or musical intervals.

What line length does Bringhurst recommend for readable body text?

He recommends a measure of 45 to 75 characters per line, with 66 characters often cited as the ideal length for single-column English text.

How long does a typographic selection session take?

This structured session takes 50 minutes, covering body copy proportions, typeface pairing, scale mapping, and micro-typographic details.

Sources

The Elements of Typographic Style, Robert Bringhurst