Typography

Define typography?
The art of expressing ideas through the selection of appropriate typefaces.
Creating and modifying type using a variety of illustration techniques.


Where did the word "typography" originate from?
Typo-greek for form graphy-greek word for writing


What does typography involve?
using type, fonts, style and rearrange them into an image that is pleasing to the eye


What is a typeface?
Distinctive designs of visual symbols that are used to compose a printed image/design.


What is another term for typeface?
Another term for typeface is more commonly called 'Fonts'.


What is a character?
A character is a individual symbol that makes up a typeface. (Letters, numbers, and punctuation)


What is type style?
Modifications in a typeface that creates design variety while maintaining the visual style of the typeface.


What does type style "create" within a design?
Bold, italic, condensed, roman, heavy


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


What is a point?
A subdivision of a pica


How many points are in an inch?
There are 72 points in an inch


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


How many points are in a pica?
There are 12 points in one pica.


What is body type and where can it be found?
Type size that range from 4 points through 12 points. These sizes are found in places where there is a lot of text to be read.


What is display type and how is it used?
Type sizes above 12 points. Typically, these sizes are used to draw attention to a message. {Head lines, sub-headlines, etc.}


What is reverse type and when would it be used?
Reverse type uses a white type on a solid black or darker color background. If the text is too small, reverse type can be difficult on the eyes. Display type would then be necessary.


What is a typeface classification?
A basic system for classifying type faces 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?
Blackletter is the earliest of the typefaces. It was used with the inventions of the printing press in the mid 1400s.  Blckletter is most often seen in official documents such as diplomas, certificates, or formal invitations.


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


When was Old Style invneted and what was is based on?
Old style or roman. It was based on ancient roman inscriptions and created to replace blackletter typefaces.


Describe the characteristics of an Old Style typeface?
wedge-shaped font made with flexible brushes or pens and have aried strokes reminiscent of handwriting.


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


When were casual scripts developed?
20th century.


Describe the characteristics of a Script typeface?
based on cursive handwriting


When was Modern typefaces developed and why?
18th and 19th century. for a radical break from traditional typography of the time.


Describe the characteristics of a Modern typeface?
sharp contrast between thick and thin strokes and have thin, flat serifs.


How early can Sans Serif typefaces be found? What happened?
20th century. no serifs


When did they become popular?
1920s


What does "sans serif" mean?
without serifs


Describe the characteristics of a Sans Serif typeface?
chunky serifs, boring, monotone appearance.


When was Slab Serif developed and why?
19th century for advertising purposes.


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


Describe Decorative typefaces?
most distinctive styles and have a certain purpose or theme in mind


Why were they developed?
to fit into different themes and purposes


What are they best used for?
Advertising and getting attention.