Podcast #4 Typography

Define typography?The art of expressing ideas through the selection of appropriate typefaces.
Where did the word "typography" originate from?
It comes from the Greek words of "form" and "writing."
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
What does type style "create" within a design?Type style create design variety while maintaining the visual style of the typeface.
What is the waist line and what does it indicate?It is the imaginary line drawn at the middle of the characters.
What is a base line and what does it indicate?The 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?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?By using 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?There are 72 points in an inch.
What is a pica and how many are in an inch?
6 picas in an inch.
How many points are in a pica?
12 points 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?
The bigger the typeface the larger the 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.
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 is too small, reverse type can be difficult on the reader's eye. Display type is necessary.
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?It was used with the inventions of the printing press in the mid 1400s.
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 invented and what was is based on?It was invented in the mid 1400s. It was based on ancient Roman inscriptions and created to replace Blackletter typeface.
Describe the characteristics of an Old Style typeface?They have wedge-shaped, angled serifs and a low contrast of their thick/thin strokes.
When were formal scripts developed?Formal scripts developed formal writings of 17th and 18th century handwriting masters.
When were casual scripts developed?They were developed in the 20th century.
Describe the characteristics of a Script typeface?They should not be used as small body text because its too hard to read.
When was Modern typefaces developed and why?It was developed in the late 18th and 19th centuries 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?
 In the 5th century but the formal scripts took over

What does "sans serif" mean?
Without serifs
Describe the characteristics of a Sans Serif typeface?
It is totally different from other types of writing and no serif.
When was Slab Serif developed and why?
In the 19th century for advertisement.
Describe the characteristics of a Slab Serif typeface?
A cross from San serif and modern. They are now big and chunky
Describe Decorative typefaces?
Distinct design style
Why were they developed?
So it can have a different type of look
What are they best used for?
Large point sizes