Podcast #4 Typography

Define typography? The art and technique of expressing ideas through different typefaces.

Where did the word "typography" originate from? Greek words: typos meaning form, and graphy meaning writing.

What does typography involve? The selection of appropriate fonts, sizes, line spacing, and spacing of letters.

What is a typeface? Visual symbols used to compose a printed image/design.

What is another term for typeface? Font

What is a character? Individual characters making up a typeface.

What is type style? Modifications in a typeface.

What does type style "create" within a design? Variety

What is the waist line and what does it indicate? The middle of the line where the top of the lowercase letter meets.

What is a base line and what does it indicate? The bottom line where everything sits.

What is an ascender? Extending above the waistline

What is a descender? Extending below the waistline.

Describe a serif? A small line used to finish off a character.

How can the size of the typeface be identified? The point size of a font measuring from the base line to the waist line.

What is a point? The unit of measure for typefaces.

How many points are in an inch? 72

What is a pica and how many are in an inch? A unit of measure that is typical for designing newspaper. 6.

How many points are in a pica? 12

What is body type and where can it be found? A large amount of type in one spot. Measured in anything lower than 12 pt.

What is the key to selecting appropriate typefaces to be used as body type? Knowing your audience and selecting an appropriate font size.

What is display type and how is it used? Headlines. It calls attention to the piece.

What is reverse type and when would it be used? White type on a darker background.

What is a typeface classification? A means of organizing fonts.

When was Blackletter invented and how was it used? Mid 1400s. In the printing press.

Describer the characteristics of a Blackletter typeface? Ornamental with elaborate thick and thin strokes. Traditional, resembles calligraphy.

When was Old Style invneted and what was is based on? 15^th and 16^th century. Ancient Roman inscriptions to replace blackletter.

Describe the characteristics of an Old Style typeface? A traditional renaissance look. Wedge-shaped, angled serifs, low contrast on the thick and thin strokes.

When were formal scripts developed? 17^th and 18^th centuries.

When were casual scripts developed? 20^th Century

Describe the characteristics of a Script typeface? Resembles handwriting. Shouldn’t be used in body text.

When was Modern typefaces developed and why? Late 18^th and 19^th centuries.

Describe the characteristics of a Modern typeface? Thick and thin elements with a larger contrast between the two. Very thin serifs. Similar to Old Style with a more contemporary feel.

How early can Sans Serif typefaces be found? What happened? The fifth century. The Italian Renaissance made it obsolete.

When did they become popular? 1920’s

What does "sans serif" mean? Doesn’t have serifs.

Describe the characteristics of a Sans Serif typeface? No contrast of thick and thin within the characters.

When was Slab Serif developed and why? 19^th century. It is used for decorative purposes and headlines.

Describe the characteristics of a Slab Serif typeface? Uniform line weight and thick, square serifs.

Describe Decorative typefaces? They have a distinctive design style and were developed with a specific purpose or theme in mind.

Why were they developed? To serve a purpose that a preexisting font couldn’t fulfill.

What are they best used for? Larger point sizes or display type.