Podcast #4 Typography

Define typography?
The art of expressing ideas through the selection of appropriate typefaces


Where did the word "typography" originate from?
"Typo" comes from the greek word meaning writing, "graphy" meaning form


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?
Fonts


What is a character?
Individual symbols that make up a typeface (letters, numerals and punctuation)


What is type style?
Modifications in a typeface that create design variety while maintaining the visual style of the typeface (bold, italic, condensed, roman, heavy)


What does type style "create" within a design?
Creates interest and variety, but still keeping a uniform look


What is the waist line and what does it indicate?
Imaginary line drawn at the middle of characters


What is a base line and what does it indicate?
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?
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?
Point size from the top to the bottom of the letter.


What is a point?
A subdivision of a pica


How many points are in an inch?
72


What is a pica and how many are in an inch?
6


How many points are in a pica?
12


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?
Consists of white type on a solid black 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 is the earliest of the typefaces. It was used with the inventions of the printing press in the mid 1400s. Most often seen in official documents such as diplomas, certificates, formal invitations, etc.


Describer the characteristics of a Blackletter typeface?
Resembles the calligraphy of the time and are highly ornamental with elaborate thick to thin strokes.


When was Old Style invented and what was is based on?
In the mid 1400s and was based on ancient Roman inscriptions and created to replace Blackletter typefaces


Describe the characteristics of an Old Style typeface?
Wedge-shaped, angled serifs and a low contrast of their thick/thin strokes.


When were formal scripts developed?
From the formal writings of 17th and 18th century handwriting masters. They will lend a formal quality to a composition


When were casual scripts developed?
In 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?
In the late 18th and 19th centuries as 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. However, the Italian Renaissance return to Old Stye made the Sans Serif classification obsolete in the 20th century.


When did they become popular?
1920s


What does "sans serif" mean?
"without Serif"


Describe the characteristics of a Sans Serif typeface?
Uniform in white and have a monotone stroke


When was Slab Serif developed and why?
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


Why were they developed?They were developed with a specific purpose, or theme, in mind. 


What are they best used for?
Best used for larger point sizes, or display type