Type Basics 2
Type Basics 2
A Few Basics
Mechanical refers to the Notation refers to Language embraces
science of machines, a graphic system of both spoken and written
the precise automatization documentation using a codes: groups of sounds
of a task working symbolic code. In this which form words;
through a structured context, that code is arrangements of words
process towards a the Western or Latin which signal complex
defined aim (physical alphabet. meanings to those
or digital). Mechanical familiar with the code.
defines the difference
between typography and
lettering: typography uses
repeatable units whereas
lettering is unique.
Definition taken from Type & Typography, Phil Baines & Andrew Haslam
Font versus
typeface
+T
ype: the physical object, a piece of metal with
a raised face at one end that contains the reversed
image of a character
+F
ont: the physical means of typeface production
+T
ypeface: a collection of characters with the same
distinct design
www.freepik.com
Typeface
baseline bowl
line on which letters sit the part of a character that encloses a space in
circular letterforms
cap height
x-height
serif
small stroke at the end of a main horizontal or
vertical stroke
height of the lower case x
descender
stem part of the letter that falls below the baseline
main vertical or diagonal stroke of a letter
Fancy
cap height
x-height
baseline
descender
stem bowl serif
finial
a tapered or curved end on letters such as the
bottom of c or e. Also defined as a swash or
ornamental flourish
ascender
vertical stem that extends above the x-height -
often an identifying characteristic of a typeface
flesh
ligature ascender
finial
spine
left to right curving stroke
ascender
vertical stem that extends above the x-height -
often an identifying characteristic of a typeface
fresh
terminal ascender
spine
ABFTQM
Gavin Ambrose & Paul Harris, The Fundamentals of Typography
Relative
Measurements
R R R
R
R
R
R
R
R R R
R
R
R R
R
+E M:
_ a relative unit of measurement used in typesetting to
define basic spacing functions, linked to the size of
the type
_ initially based on the width of the uppercase M
_ equal to the currently specified point size
+ E N:
_ a unit of relative measurement equal to half
of one em
_ traditionally the width of an uppercase N
+ HYPHENS:
_e m and en are used in punctuation to provide
measurement for dashes
_ not to be confused with the hyphen
_ an em is half of an em, a hyphen is one third of an em
Gavin Ambrose & Paul Harris, The Fundamentals of Typography
X-height
x x x x x x
Bembo Optima Univers Futura Garamond Letter Gothic
Ma Ma Ma
Gavin Ambrose & Paul Harris, The Fundamentals of Typography
Leading Type Type
+m etal printing term originating from the lead strips Type Type
inserted between lines of text for spacing
+ digitally measured from baseline to baseline
Baselines
+ the imaginary line that most characters sit upon
+ the ‘o’ and other rounded characters fall
slightly below it
dart 280 c
Futura Garamond Letter Gothic
Finally, captions can be formed using an italic that has less prominence on the page
+ black title in corner acts as an alternative starting + layering of title and body copy blurs distinction,
point despite unconventional placement but still allows title to be read first