A foundation course in typography with emphasis on using type for a multiple of industry related applications
Some of the things we covered during the this class included some things we should not do when dealing with type;
Continue reading “Class 11 – Legibility, Readability, and What Not to Do”
Tracking and Type Alignment
We took a look at how to digitally control tracking and the different type alignment options. We were able to see what happens when tracking is too tight or too loose. We also took a closer look at what happens when we use justified text alignment. I discovered that one of the advantages of using justified text is that it can save space when a lot of text is used. We also saw a disadvantage that is awkward or bad word spacing that creates too much white space in paragraphs. Sometimes we see streams of this white space, which we call rivers (rivers of white space).
Continue reading “Classes 9 & 10 – Tracking, Kerning and Type on a Path”
This class was dedicated to the variations in type styles that are available. We discussed the differences in type — width, weight, posture, stress, serifs, and contrast.
width – condensed or extended
weight – light or bold
posture – italic or oblique (fake italic)
stress – vertical or diagonal
contrast – extreme or medium or low/none
serif – bracketed or unbracketed
Continue reading “Class 8 – How Text and Paragraphs are Affected by Different Alignments”
We have discussed the five families of type since the early days of the semester. Sometimes these are referred to as type categories. Make sure you learn to identify the differences.
Here is quick review:
Old Style: Garamond
(15th-17th century)
Continue reading “Class 6 and 7 — Multiple Pages in InDesign and a Review of the 5 Families of Type”
Here’s a brief recap from Class 5. We had a quick introduction to the grid system and templates as they will be used with InDesign.
A grid is a non-printing system of horizontal and vertical lines which help the designer align the elements of the layout. This system of alignment helps to create a more organized layout. In multiple page documents, the grid assists in the consistent placement of design elements. Think of the grid as the skeleton of the layout—similar to the frame that you see on the construction site when a building or house is being built. We will go more in depth with grids a little later.
In InDesign we learned how to use a template, and how to name files before submission. We did this as we were introduced to the Type Book project.
We also covered using the line tool to create rules, strokes, and arrows in InDesign.
Continue reading “Class 5 — Introduction to the Grid, Templates and the Type Book Project”
We covered three main topics during our last class that deal with spacing—tracking, kerning and leading. It is important to understand the difference between tracking and kerning.
Continue reading “Class 4 — Controlling Space, Leading, Tracking and Kerning”
During our third class, we covered the Five Families of Type, but we also reviewed the Variation in Type .
So, we’ve made it through the first class. Hopefully everyone is feeling a bit more relaxed and you’ve made some new friends.
Here is a recap of some of the topics that we covered the first day of class. Hopefully this will be helpful if you need to review:
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