Intro to Art Typography Language

DAY ONE:

The Language of Lettering

Directions: Copy these notes down (you may shorten and put in your own words).  Draw your own diagram of the lettering image above and label. Turn in at the beginning of class tomorrow 2/13.

• Typography is the design and use of typefaces as a means of communication.
• Typography began with the first printing press-the Gutenberg, but really has its roots in hand-lettering (Calligraphy, Illuminated text, etc.).
•  Lettering or typography is a very important part of visual communication. Fonts can communicate strength, power, emotion and personality. 

Think of some company logos that are just a typeface (Coke, Fender, Canon, etc.) What color are they? What does the construction of the typeface communicate about the company?

Parts of a Letter:

·        Basic list: Letter Anatomy by Eric Miller -excellent information!

• Baseline: the invisible bottom line on which characters sit.
• Meanline: the middle line that is at the top of most lowercase letters such as “o,” “p” and “r.” It is also at the curve of letters like “h.”
• Cap Height: the distance from the baseline to the top of uppercase letters like “B” and “H.”
• Ascender: The part of a character that extends above the meanline.
• Descender: The part of a character that extends below the baseline, such as the bottom stroke of a “g.”
• Stem: The stem is often the main “body” of a letter. The vertical line of a “B” and the primary diagonal line of a “V”.
• Crossbar or Arms: Bars are horizontal or diagonal lines of a letter, also known as arms, and are open on at least one side. “E” or “T”

Serifs, Cases & Styles of Lettering

• Serifs: Fonts are often divided into serif and sans serif. 
• Serif fonts are distinguishable by the extra decorative line (style endings) at the ends of the character (examples of serif fonts are Times Roman and Georgia )
• Sans serif do not have the extra decorative lines. (examples of sans serif fonts are Arial and Impact)
• There are 3 “cases” in lettering: UPPER, lower and Mixed

4 Main Styles of Lettering:

• Roman Style, a “thick and thin” letter, often has the thickness in different stem places. It usually has “serifs” on each stem end.

IF YOU FINISH EARLY: GO TO THE NEXT BLOG POST AND WATCH THE POWER POINT ABOUT CHARLES DEMUTH AND BEGIN TAKING NOTES.

Day one charles demuth typography from Natalie Hurd