Podcast #4: Typography

Define typography?

The art of expressing ideas through the selection of appropriate typefaces
 
Where did the word "typography" originate from?

Greek words "typos" which means form, and "-graphy" means writing

What does typography involve?
A selection of appropriate fonts, size, spacing, and 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
 
What is type style?

Modifications in a typeface that create design variety while maintaining the visual of the typeface
 
What does type style "create" within a design?

Variety

What is the waist line and what does it indicate?

It is the imaginary line drawn at the middle of the characters; top of lowercase letters

What is a base line and what does it indicate?
Where everything sits; bottom

What is an ascender?
Things above the waist line
 
What is a descender?
Things below base line
 
Describe a serif? 
The line above or below a character


How can the size of the typeface be identified?
Measures from the top ascender to bottom of descender (point size)
 
What is a point?
The smallest unit of measuring type
 
How many points are in an inch?
72
 
What is a pica and how many are in an inch?
A unit of measure typical to newspaper design; 6 in an inch
 
How many points are in a pica?
12

What is body type and where can it be found?
The mass of type that makes up a paragraph; anything lower than 14 points
 
What is the key to selecting appropriate typefaces to be used as body type?
Readability
 
What is display type and how is it used?
Headlines; sub-headlines; something you want to call attention to; over 14 points
 
What is reverse type and when would it be used?
Using opposite colored text and background combinations to draw attention
 
What is a typeface classification?
A means of organizing fonts
 
When was Blackletter invented and how was it used?
It is similar to calligraphy and was invented in the 14th century 

Describer the characteristics of a Blackletter typeface?
Combining small and thick brushes to mimic the design of calligraphy 

When was Old Style invneted and what was is based on?
Developed by Romans in the 15th and 16th centuries and was created to replace Blackletter 

Describe the characteristics of an Old Style typeface?
Web shaped, angled serifs 

When were formal scripts developed?
Resembles formal handwriting; 18th century; loops and curves

When were casual scripts developed?
20th century
 
Describe the characteristics of a Script typeface?
Supposed to look like handwriting
 
When was Modern typefaces developed and why?
Late 18th century
 
Describe the characteristics of a Modern typeface?
Extremely thick and extremely thin strokes; thin serifs
 
How early can Sans Serif typefaces be found? What happened?
5th Century; the Italian Renaissance came and used old style
 
When did they become popular?
In the 1920s
 
What does "sans serif" mean?
Without serif
 
Describe the characteristics of a Sans Serif typeface?
Same thickness all of the way through 

When was Slab Serif developed and why?
Developed for advertising in 19th century 

Describe the characteristics of a Slab Serif typeface?
Elements are same size; serifs are very chunky; used for headlines
 
Describe Decorative typefaces?
Most distinct design style 

Why were they developed?
They were created for specific themes 

What are they best used for?
 Larger point sizes