Design or selection of letter forms to be organized into words and sentences and printed

or displayed electronically. Typography originated after the invention of printing from

movable type in the mid 15th century. The three major type families in the history of
TY PO G RA P HY Western printing are roman, italic, and black letter (Gothic). All had their origin in the
scripts of the calligraphers whose work was ultimately replaced by printing. In the

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succeeding centuries typographers have created some 10,000 typefaces (a complete set of
letter forms of a particular design). Depending on the style of their letters, typefaces are
categorized as old style, transitional, and modern. Commonly used typefaces include
Serif Caslon, Baskerville, Bodoni, Garamond, and Times New Roman.

Serif / Sans Serif

Serifs are the small endcaps on letters. Sans means without in French. Therefore, sans This sample text is set with the serif type face called Minion. It is set in eleven points in
serif is without serifs. Serifs can aid in reading large areas of copy, especially in print. size on a leading of fifteen points. Minion Pro is inspired by classical, old style typefaces
However, small serifs can look poor on low-resolution applications such as a web site, so
a serif with thicker serifs like Georgia is better than Times. of the late Renaissance, yielding unprecedented flexibility and typographic control.

Examples of Serif and Sans Serif This sample text is set with the sans serif type face called Helvetica Neue. It is
The paragraphs to the right gives a sense of how different typefaces can look very
different and have a different appeal. The serif face on the top would be great for a book set in eleven points in size on a leading of fifteen points. Helvetica Neue is a
where the type should be quiet. The sans serif type on the bottom might work better in a
how-to document
classic, well-proportioned, high-quality sans serif typeface ideal for a wide-range
of applications.

KERNING: The space between individual letters.

Kerning is the space between individual letters. Back in the days of metal type, a square of
metal held each letterform which means they could not overlap like they do in digital Kerning no-kerning

Kerning
typesetting. High-quality fonts come with built in kerning pairs such as “Te” that will
automatically tighten the space whenever that type combination is used.
Careful typesetting may involve manually kerning between letters. High-quality kerning kerned
can only be accomplished using the right software.

TRACKING: TRACKING IS THE ADDING OF SPACE

BETWEEN A LARGER GROUP OF TYPE. NOT INDIVIDUALLY LIKE
KERNING. WHEN SETTING SOMETHING IN ALL CAPS IT IS BEST
TO TRACK OUT THE TYPE SO IT DOESN’T LOOK LIKE THE
LETTERS ARE CRASHING TOGETHER.
TRACKING
LEGIBILITY VS READIABLITY
Legible is one thing, but readability is quite another. Legibility refers to Legible is one thing, but readability is quite another. Legibility
letter-by-letter recognizability. Readability refers to how quickly and refers to letter-by-letter recognizability. Readability refers
to how quickly and easily a larger paragraph of type can be
easily a larger paragraph of type can be read. Does it hurt your eyes, or read. Does it hurt your eyes, or is it a pleasant experience? If
is it a pleasant experience? If you are struggling, the type-face (or the you are struggling, the type-face (or the type styling) are
not a good choice.
type styling) are not a good choice.
This typeface is awkwardly wide and is also very heavy. It
This typeface is awkwardly wide and is also very heavy. It would need a would need a lot of manual kerning to look good. Highly read-
lot of manual kerning to look good. Highly readable fonts have a quiet able fonts have a quiet balance to them, and no excess thick
or thin areas.
balance to them, and no excess thick or thin areas.
Some typefaces can have their readability improved by
Some typefaces can have their readability improved by increasing the increasing the leading, increasing the type size, or judicious
leading, increasing the type size, or judicious use of kerning. But use of kerning. But sometimes that is not an option, for exam-
ple if you need to fit a certain amount of content in a given
sometimes that is not an option, for example if you need to fit a certain area, or need to run a lot of text.
amount of content in a given area, or need to run a lot of text.

Flush left, rag right Justified, no hyphens Justified, hyphens Leading

This type is set flush left. This type is left justified. With This type is left justified. With Leading is the space between lines of
Flush left, rag right means the justified type, small justified type, small adjust- type. It was given its name because of
type is lined up on the left adjustments to the letter ments to the letter spacing and the metal lead that used to be put
edge, but the right edge spacing and word spacing need word spacing need to be made between the horizontal lines of type to
moves in or out depending on to be made so that each line of so that each line of type fills out 15 points
spread it out. Therefore, it is pronounced
the words in the text. Because type fills out the column. the column. Because of that,
to rhyme with bedding, rather than
flush left text does not have to Because of that, you usually you usually have more hyphen-
reading.
be adjusted to fill a line have more hyphenated words. ated words. I have turned on
This type is set in 10 point with a
solidly, it can have a better If you choose to limit the the hyphenation, so that you
look and be more readable number of hyphens it is likely can see how less gaps occur. leading of 15 point. Leading measure-
than justified type. you’ll end up with what is ment is from the bottom of one line to
called “rivers”. Rivers are white the bottom of the next, so is therefore
spaces that flow through the always larger than the point size of the
words, and can be distracting. type.
In this column, I have turned
off the hyphenation, so that you
can see how gaps can occur.

Fun Learning Site: http://type.method.ac ; http://ilovetypography.com/ifontgame/ ; http://shape.method.ac/ ; http://cheeseorfont.com/

Create Your Own Font: http://fontstruct.com/ ; http://2ttf.com/
Inspiration: http://www.typetheory.com/ ; http://www.slanted.de/ ; http://typesites.com/helveticons/ ; http://www.typophile.com/