Podcast #4 Typography

Define typography.
Typography is the art of expressing ideas through the selection of appropriate typefaces.
Where did the word "typography" originate from?
Greek- form-writing
What does typography involve?
the selection of appropriate fonts, sizes, spaces
What is a typeface?
Typefaces are distinctive designs of visual symbols that are used to compose a printed image/design.
What is another term for typeface?
Font
What is a character?
Characters are individual symbols that make up a typeface.
What is type style?
Type styles are modifications in a typeface that create design variety while maintaining the visual style of the typeface.
What does type style "create" within a design?
It creates bold, italic, condensed, roman, and heavy typefaces.
What is the waist line and what does it indicate?
the imaginary line at the middle of the characters
What is a base line and what does it indicate?
the imaginary line 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 serif is a smaller line used to finish off main stroke of a letter, usually at the top of the character.
How can the size of the typeface be identified?
by changing the point size
What is a point?
the smallest unit of measure, subdivision of a pica
How many points are in an inch?
72
What is a pica and how many are in an inch?
a unit of measure, 6 picas are in an inch
How many points are in a pica?
12
What is body type and where can it be found?
type sizes that range from 4pt. to 12pt.
What is the key to selecting appropriate typefaces to be used as body type?
Readability
What is display type and how is it used?
headlines, sub-headlines and its above 14pt.
What is reverse type and when would it be used?
consistant white type on a dark background, and its used to call attention to the viewer
What is a typeface classification?
a way of categorizing different type
When was Blackletter invented and how was it used?
it was used in the printing press
Describe the characteristics of a Blackletter typeface.
ornamental, thick and thin strokes
When was Old Style invneted and what was is based on?
to replaced black-letter
Describe the characteristics of an Old Style typeface.
have serifs, thick and thin elements
When were formal scripts developed?
from handwriting
When were casual scripts developed?
a few centuries after formal
Describe the characteristics of a Script typeface.
handwriting
When was Modern typefaces developed and why?

Describe the characteristics of a Modern typeface.
extreme thick and thin, serifs
How early can Sans Serif typefaces be found? What happened?
5th century
When did they become popular?
1920s
What does "sans serif" mean?
without serif
Describe the characteristics of a Sans Serif typeface.
no serif, uniform weight, monotone
When was Slab Serif developed and why?
1800s, for advertising
Describe the characteristics of a Slab Serif typeface.
thick, chunky serifs
Describe decorative typefaces.
can't be classified
Why were they developed?
for specific themes
What are they best used for?
specific themes