The art of expressing ideas through the selection on appropriate typefaces by creating and modifying type using a variety of illustration techniques.
Where did the word "typography" originate from?
Greek. "typo"-form "graphy"-writing
What does typography involve?
Creating and modifying type using a variety of illustration techniques.
What is a typeface?
Distinctive designs of visual symbols that are used to compose a printed image/design.
What is another term for typeface?
A "Font".
What is a character?
Individual symbols that make up a typeface (letters, numerals, and punctuation marks).
What is type style?
Modifications in a type face that create design variety while maintaining the visual style of the typeface (bold, italic, condensed, roman, or heavy).
What does type style "create" within a design?
Interest and variety.
What is the waist line and what does it indicate?
It is the imaginary line drawn at the middle of the characters.
What is a base line and what does it indicate?
It is the imaginary line drawn at the bottom of the characters.
What is an ascender?
The part of the character that extends above the waist line.
What is a descender?
The part of the character that extends below the base line.
Describe a serif?
A smaller line used to finish off a main stroke of a letter, usually at the top and bottom of a character.
How can the size of the typeface be identified?
The point size measures from the top of the ascender to the bottom of the descender.
What is a point?
The subdivision of a pica.
How many points are in an inch?
72 points.
What is a pica and how many are in an inch?
6 picas.
How many points are in a pica?
12 points.
What is body type and where can it be found?
Type sizes that range from 4 pt through 12 pt type. These sizes are found in places where there is a lot of text to be read.
What is the key to selecting appropriate typefaces to be used as body type?
Readability.
What is display type and how is it used?
Type sizes above 12 pt. Typically, these sizes are used to draw attention to a message (headlines, subheadlines, etc.)
What is reverse type and when would it be used?
Consistes of white type on a solid black or darker color background. If the text is too small, reverse type can be difficult on the reader's eye. Display type is necessary.
What is a typeface classification?
A basic system for classifying typefaces was devised in the 19th century when printers sought to identify a heritage for their own craft.
When was Blackletter invented and how was it used?
It was invented in the mid 1400s. It is most often seen in official documents such as diplomas, certificates, formal invitations, etc.
Describe the characteristics of a Blackletter typeface?
It resembles the calligraphy of the time and is highly ornamental with elaborate thick to thin strokes.
When was Old Style invneted and what was is based on?
It was based on ancient Roman inscriptions and was created to replace Blackletter typefaces.
Describe the characteristics of an Old Style typeface?
The typefaces in this classification have wedge-haped, angled serifs and a low contrast of their thick/thin strokes.
When were formal scripts developed?
In the 17th and 18th century by handwriting masters.
When were casual scripts developed?
The 20th century.
Describe the characteristics of a Script typeface?
Script typefaces are based on forms made with flexible brushes or pens and have varied strokes reminiscent of handwriting.
When was Modern typefaces developed and why?
The late 18th and 19th centuries as a radical break from traditional typography of the time.
Describe the characteristics of a Modern typeface?
Modern typefaces have a sharp contrast between thick and thin strokes and have thin, flat serifs.
How early can Sans Serif typefaces be found? What happened?
As early as the 5th century but the Italian Renaissance's return to Old Style made the Sans Serif classification obsolete in the 20th century.
When did they become popular?
They became popular in the 1920s.
What does "sans serif" mean?
"without serifs"
Monotone, very uniform.
When was Slab Serif developed and why?
In the 19th century for advertising purposes.
Describe the characteristics of a Slab Serif typeface?
It has a uniform line weight and thicker, square serifs.
Describe Decorative typefaces?
These typefaces have the most distinctive design style, and were developed with a specific purpose, or theme, in mind.
