A comprehensive survey of one of the most creative areas of public art, large-scale typographic installations, this book features thirty-seven works from all over the world, from the USA to Europe to Asia, in all manner of materials. Organized by designer, it includes projects by artists and designers with large international followings, such as Joan Brossa, Maya Lin, Lawrence Weiner, Pentagram, Why Not Associattes and Paula Scher. Photographs, maps and diagrams are used to explore each project in detail, and an introduction highlights the cultural importance and common themes of the works featured. Interviews with key designers provide a personal insight into why they chose words over images to transmit their message, how the locations for their work are chosen, how they selected the material and the typeface, and how they think their work connects with its particular landscape or setting. Endmatter includes detailed information on the typefaces used and their designers.