ah teaches graphic design (SD-36) (A Type of History lecture)

A Type of History

Lecture outline

An introduction to typography and working with type in design. Lecture slides will be made available on the day of the lecture (Sept 25).

Today's critique

Our approach

We will be taking the 'I like/I wish' approach again for today's critique: Please start each critique with either 'I like' or 'I wish'.

Today's critique is individual

This week I would like you to form your critiques individually.

Today's critique context

The Printing Press

Let there be type!

An illustration of an old printing press

Measurements lie

While these fonts have been set to the same size, they don't appear to be the same size:
why,why, why, why, why, why

Elements of Type

In this sketch:

Serif and Sans

They're best friends

serif & sans

Identifying Type

The serif edition

Humanist
(Centaur)

A humanist, serif typeface

Transitional
(Times New Roman)

A transitional, serif typeface

Modern
(Bodoni)

A modern, serif typeface

Identifying Type

The sans edition

Humanist
(Gill Sans)

A humanist, sans-serif typeface

Transitional
(Helvetica)

A transitional, sans-serif typeface

Geometric
(Futura)

A geometric, sans-serif typeface

Identifying Type

The other edition

Slab serif
(Rockwell)

A slab-serif typeface

Script
(Brush Script)

A script typeface

Graphic
(Comic Sans)

A graphic typeface

Identifying Type

The meaning(s)

If you had to characterize each of these typefaces, how would you describe them?

I am a typeface that needs characters. Please give me some characters to work with that are clear and define who I am.

I am a typeface that needs characters. Please give me some characters to work with that are clear and define who I am.

I am a typeface that needs characters. Please give me some characters to work with that are clear and define who I am.

Identifying Type

By case, weight, and posture

By case:

  • ALL CAPS
  • lowercase
  • small caps

By weight:

  • Normal
  • Bold

By posture:

  • Normal
  • Italics

Any questions?

Typographic Concerns

Legibility vs Readability

In legible type we are looking to be able clearly interpret the type from a distance.

Brisket hamburger leberkas capicola boudin bresaola jerky.

Legibility vs Readability

With readable type we want to be able to comfortably read it for a while.

Veggies es bonus vobis, proinde vos postulo essum magis kohlrabi welsh onion daikon amaranth tatsoi tomatillo melon azuki bean garlic.

Gumbo beet greens corn soko endive gumbo gourd. Parsley shallot courgette tatsoi pea sprouts fava bean collard greens dandelion okra wakame tomato. Dandelion cucumber earthnut pea peanut soko zucchini.

Turnip greens yarrow ricebean rutabaga endive cauliflower sea lettuce kohlrabi amaranth water spinach avocado daikon napa cabbage asparagus winter purslane kale. Celery potato scallion desert raisin horseradish

Kerning

This is when we adjust the spacing between letters to achieve an optimal balance within a word. Let's take a a look at a kerning game, to demonstrate the practice.

Word Spacing

Why paying attention to spacing matters.

Signage for today's hit music, where the 's' and the 'hit' are very close to one another

Contrast
Contrast
Contrast
Contrast
Contrast
Contrast
Contrast

What Does It Say?

Why might you identify one of these as the latest news?

Latest
News

LATEST
NEWS

Latest
News

P2: Layout

Teamwork 101

Form teams

Please form teams of 2-3 students for P2. After you have formed a team please come see me at the front to ensure I put together your team on Canvas.

Exploring Type sketch

Open work time

Time for you to work on:

1/1