podcast #4 typography

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

Where did the word "typography" originate from?


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

What is type style?
modifications in a typeface that create design variety while maintaining the visual style of the typeface

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

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 characters

What is an ascender?
the part of the character that extends above the waist line

What is a descender?
the part of a 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

What is a point?
the vertical measurement used to identify the size of a typeface. It measures from the top of the ascender to the bottom of the descender

How many points are in an inch?
72

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


How many points are in a pica?


What is body type and where can it be found?
type sizes that range from 4pt through 12pt 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?


What is display type and how is it used?
type sizes above 12pt. Typically, these sizes are used to draw attention to a message. Used as headlines, sub headlines, 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 readers eye. Display type is necessary.

What is a typeface classification?
a basis 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?
in the mid 1400s, used with inventions of the printing press

Describe the characteristics of a Blackletter typeface?
black letter typefaces resemble the calligraphy of the time and are highly ornamental with elaborate thick the thin strokes.

When was Old Style invneted and what was is based on?
mid 1400s, based on ancient roman inscriptions

Describe the characteristics of an Old Style typeface?
typefaces in this classification have wedge-shaped angles serifs and a low contrast of their thick/ thin strokes

When were formal scripts developed?
17th and 18th century

When were casual scripts developed?
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?
late18th and 19th century as a radical break from traditional typography of the time

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

How early can Sans Serif typefaces be found? What happened?
5th century, the Italian Renaissance returned to old style

When did they become popular?
1920s

What does "sans serif" mean?
without serifs

Describe the characteristics of a Sans Serif typeface?
its strokes are uniform in weight and have a monotone appearance

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?
includes  a variety of typefaces and are typically those that don't belong to other classifications

Why were they developed?
for a specific purpose of theme in mind

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