This is a foundation course in typography with an emphasis on using type for a multiple of industry related applications.

Tag: typography

Class 3 — Typographical Anatomy

During our third session on Wednesday, Sept 6th we not only covered The History of Typography and the Five Families of Type, but  we also were introduced to Typographical Anatomy.

  • If you missed the lecture on the History of Typography and the Five Families of Typography, you download the slides here.
  • We learned the parts of type of similar to our body parts. Download the TypeAnatomy sheet and keep it handy to help you identify the different parts of letters.
  • We watched the following two videos in class:

Typography tutorial: Anatomy: Parts and shapes of type

The History of Typography – Animated Short

  • We learned about the Five Families of Type, and the characteristics that distinguish them. The following videos will help you will this process.

Type Anatomy and Terminology

 

Type classification

 

How to identify Old Style fonts

 

How to identify Transitional fonts

 

How to identify Modern fonts

 

How to identify Slab Serif fonts

 

Homework — Due Monday, Sept 11

Type Journal

  • Draw in and label all parts of anatomy of the single word you began tracing in class. Use the Typographical Anatomy sheet as your guide. Label at 5-10 parts. Keep your work neat. Submit on Monday morning.
  • Search for examples of actual typefaces and their specific use. Find examples of work that use typefaces belonging to each of the five families of type. In what scenario are they used? You can use photos that you take or cut the examples from magazines or brochures. Tape or glue your samples to the plain sheet of paper that will fit in your journal. Be sure the identify the typeface, the family it belongs to and how it is used (headline for an ad, body text for a book, etc).
    For example: a typeface that belongs to the Modern classification of type is used on a heading for an ad. Do this for each of the 5 families.

Terminology You Must Know – 9/5

So far, after the first week, here are some of the terms we’ve learned so far.

  • leading – refers to the linespace between the lines of type. The term originated in the days of metal type. During hand-typesetting, thin strips of lead were inserted into the lines of type to increase the distance.
  • sans serif – a typeface that does not have serifs.
  • font – one weight, width or style of a typeface—the individuals of a typeface, such as Helvetica Bold or Helvetica Bold Italic.
  • typeface – refers to the whole family, such as Helvetica.
  • points – unit of measurement in typography: 72 points = 1 inch. All type is measured in points.
  • pica – typographic unit of measurement: 12 points = 1 pica; 6 picas = 1 inch; 72 points = 1 inch.
  • kerning – adjustment of the space between two letters to improve the appearance. Kerning is more specific than tracking. Kerning becomes more important with large or display type.
  • tracking – adjustment of the space between letters for the a whole word, sentence, page or document.

Classes 1 and 2 — Introduction to Typography & InDesign

So, we’ve made it through the first week. Hopefully everyone is feeling a bit more relaxed and you’ve made some new friends.

Here is a recap of the topics that we covered the first week of class. Hopefully this will be helpful if you need to review.

  • On Monday, Aug 28 we reviewed the syllabus, and if you need another copy, it can be downloaded here.
  • At this point, of course, everyone should have access to their City Tech email. This is be the way that I communicate with you. Please check it at least once a day so you don’t miss any important information.
  • We viewed a video on Typography:

  • There was a brief lecture, Typography & the History of Letterform. If you missed some of the points in your notes, you can download a copy of the slides here.
  • We created Biographical Name Tags — Each student should paired up with a classmate and make a name tag for each other, trying to best portray each other using expressive lettering. Afterwards, students introduced each other to the class and described what you were trying to convey with the lettering they drew for their partner.

Homework — Due Wed, Aug 30

Type Journal — Take 20-30 pictures of type in your neighborhood, write a 1 page paper on what that typography tells you about your neighborhood, print it and add to type journal. Use 1” margins all around and double-space.

 

On Wed, Aug 30 we viewed a few videos to that covered  the difference between legibility vs readability, and how to make reading easier.

  • Understanding Font Legibility

 

  • How to Make Reading Easier

 

  • Introduction to Adobe InDesign. This introduction covered creating a new document, rulers and measurement, text boxes, adding fonts using Font Book, changing typefaces, fonts, point size, etc. If you need some help getting started with InDesign, view this video:

 

Homework — Due Wed, Sep 6

  • Bring you tracing pad and pens to class.