Podcast #4 Typography

Define typography?


 The art of expressing ideas through the selection of appropriate typefaces.

Where did the word "typography" originate from?

What does typography involve? Distinctive designs of visual symbols that are used to compose a printed image or design.

What is a typeface? A font

What is another term for typeface? Font

What is a character? individual characters that make up a typeface.

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? It creates interest with variety while staying uniform.

What is the waist line and what does it indicate? Imaginary line through the middle of the characters.

What is a base line and what does it indicate? imaginary line at the bottom of a character.

What is an ascender? The part of a character that extends above the waist line

What is a descender? part of the character the extends below the base line

Describe a serif? smaller line used to finish off a main stroke or letter, usually at the top and bottom of a character.

How can the size of the typeface be identified? by it's 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? 72

What is a pica and how many are in an inch? 6

How many points are in a pica? 12

What is body type and where can it be found? Where there is a lot of text to be read.

What is the key to selecting appropriate typefaces to be used as body type? You have to choose the correct size typeface so it is appropriate for the message or the amount of text.

What is display type and how is it used? Type sizes above 12 pt. 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 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? Blackletter is the earliest of the typefaces. It was used with the invention of the printing press in the mid 1400's

Describer the characteristics of a Blackletter typeface? Blackletter typefaces resemble the calligraphy of the time and are highly ornamental with the elaborate thick to thin strokes.

When was Old Style invneted and what was is based on? Blackletter.

Describe the characteristics of an Old Style typeface?  Typefaces in this classification have wedge shaped, angled serif and a low contrast of their thick/thin strokes.

When were formal scripts developed?  The 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 centuries as a radical break from traditional typograpght of the time.

Describe the characteristics of a Modern typeface? Sharp contrast between thick and thin strokes and have thin, flat serifs

How early can Sans Serif typefaces be found? What happened? The 5th century, but the italian renaissance made it obsolete in the 20th century

When did they become popular? In the 1920s.

What does "sans serif" mean? Without serifs.

Describe the characteristics of a Sans Serif typeface? It's strokes are uniform in weight and have a monotone appearance.

When was Slab Serif developed and why? During the 19th century for advertising purposes.

Describe the characteristics of a Slab Serif typeface? It had a uniform line weight and thicker, square serifs

Describe Decorative typefaces? They are the most distinctive design style, and were developed with a specific purpose, or theme, in mind.

Why were they developed? For a  specific purpose or theme

What are they best used for? Larger point sizes or display type.

What does it take to create good graphic design?

An understanding of the basic principles of graphic design.
What is the difference between elements and principles?
Elements are the actual things added to the design. Principles tell us how we should organize the elements on the screen.
Name the six (6) elements of design.

Line-

Shape/form-

Space-

Texture-

Value-

Color-

What can lines aid in, when alone or combined with  other lines or shapes?The readability appearance and message of a design.

Which lines suggest a feeling of rest? Why do you think?
Horizontal lines. The are at rest.
Vertical lines communicate a feeling of what? Why do you think?
Loftiness
What lines suggest a feeling of movement? Why do you think?
Diagonal lines/.
Soft, shallow curved lines suggest what? Why do you think?
Comfort, safety, relaxation
These lines suggest confusion and turbulence? Why do you think?
Curved.

What element defines a specific area of space?

What is the difference between two dimensional shapes and three dimensional shapes?

Describe the difference between geometric shapes and organic shapes?

What are abstract shapes?

Which basic shape projects an attitude of honesty or equality?

What do triangles suggest?

Circles convey feelings of what?

Describe positive space and negative space?

What is texture?

Incorporating texture into a design can help do what?

What is value?

What is another name for value?

What can the element of color do when incorporated into a design?

What is OSHA? What do the letters stand for? Occupational Safety and Health Administration: OSHA makes sure that every ma and women has a safe work environment. 

How can graphic designers effectively communicate? In your own words, explain the communication process.

A graphic designer has to be creative, and they have to communicate to a very large group of people. They also need to break language barriers to get points across.

Understanding the history, culture and movements of fine and graphic arts will make you a better producer of visual messages. Why? You will know how to better communicate an idea while still depicting what the client wants. You will know what worked in graphic design, and also what didn't work, so you will be able to loosely base your projects around that so you do not fail.

Why did you take this class? I took this class so I would become better at using Adobe Photoshop, so I could improve my photography.

What are your goals for this class? I want to be able to create art that is appealing to the eye, and to improve the overall quality of my edited photography.