Podcast # 4 Typology

Define typography?
-the art of expressing ideas through the selection of appropriate typefaces
Where did the word "typography" originate from?
-creating and modifying type using a variety of illustration techniques
What does typography involve?
-typefaces, characters, type faces, points, body types, display types, and reverse types
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 type face
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?-letters, numerals, and punctuation marks
What is the waist line and what does it indicate?
-imaginary line drawn at the bottom of the characters
What is a base line and what does it indicate?
-the part of the character that extends above the waistline
What is an ascender?
-the part of the character that extends below the waistline
What is a descender?
-smaller line used to finish off a main stroke of a letter, usually at the top and bottom of the character
Describe a serif?
-the style that make a character more bold on certain tips of letters
How can the size of the typeface be identified?
-the vertical measurement used to identify the size of the typeface. It measures from the top of the ascender to the bottom ascender
What is a point?
-the point size will measure from top to bottom of ascender
How many points are in an inch?
-72
What is a pica and how many are in an inch?
-type sizes that range from 4 to 12 points
How many points are in a pica?
-12
What is body type and where can it be found?
-6
What is the key to selecting appropriate typefaces to be used as body type?
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
What is reverse type and when would it be used?
-consists of white type on a solid black or darker color background, if the text it too small, reverse type can be difficult on the readers eyes.
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?
-mid 1400s, it was used with the inventions of the printing press
Describer the characteristics of a Blackletter typeface?
-it was based on Roman inscriptions and created to replace blackletter typefaces
When was Old Style invneted and what was is based on?
-typefaces in this classification have wedge-shaped, angle serifs and a low contrast of their thin/thick strokes
Describe the characteristics of an Old Style typeface?
-typefaces in this classification have wedge-shaped, angle serifs and a low contrast of their thin/thick strokes
When were formal scripts developed?
17th and 18th century
When were casual scripts developed?
-20th century
Describe the characteristics of a Script typeface?
-based on forms made with flexible brushes or pens and have varied strokes reminiscent of handwriting
When was Modern typefaces developed and why?
-late 18th and 19th century as a radical break from traditional typograpghy
Describe the characteristics of a Modern typeface?
-have 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, 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?
-its mainly used for decorative purposes and headlines
Describe Decorative typefaces?
-it has a uniform line weight and thicker, square serifs
Why were they developed?
-larger display
What are they best used for?
-larger point sizes or display type