Podcast #4 Typography

Define typography?
The art of expressing ideas through the selection of appropriate typefaces
Where did the word "typography" originate from?
The Greek words for "form" and "writing"
What does typography involve?
The selection of the appropriate fonts, sizes, line spacing, spacing between the letters
What is a typeface?
A distinctive design of visual symbols that are used to compose a printed image/design.
What is another term for typeface?
Fonts
What is a character?
An individual symbol that makes up a typeface
What is type style?
Modifications in a typeface that create design variety while maintaining the visual style of the typeface; bold, italic, condensed, roman, heavy
What does type style "create" within a design?
Variety
What is the waist line and what does it indicate?
An imaginary line drawn at the middle of the characters
What is a base line and what does it indicate?
An imaginary line at the bottom of the characters, where everything sits
What is an ascender?
The park of the character that extends above the waist line
What is a descender?
The part of the character that extends below the base line
Describe a serif?
A smaller line used to finish off a main stroke of a letter, usually at the top and bottom of a character
How can the size of the typeface be identified?
Point size is 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. Even if the character does not have an ascender or a descender, the point size will still measure from the top to the bottom.
What is a point?
The point size is measured in a unit called points
How many points are in an inch?
*know this conversion* 72
What is a pica and how many are in an inch?
*know this conversion* 6
How many points are in a pica?
*know this conversion* 12
What is body type and where can it be found?
Body type is any type size that range from 4 pt through 12 pt type. These sizes are found in places where there  is a lot of text to be read. It is the small text in the body of the paper.
What is the key to selecting appropriate typefaces to be used as body type?
Readability
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 (headlines, sub headlines, etc)
What is reverse type and when would it be used?
Consists of white type on a solid black or darker color 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 inventions of the printing press in the mid 1400s.
Describe the characteristics of a Blackletter typeface?
Blackletter typefaces resemble the calligraphy of the time and are highly ornamental with elaborate thick to thin strokes. Typefaces are most often seen in official documents such as diplomas, certificates, formal invitations, etc.
When was Old Style invented and what was is based on?
It was invented in the 15th and 16th centuries. It was based on ancient Roman inscriptions and created to replace Blackletter typefaces.
Describe the characteristics of an Old Style typeface?
Typefaces in this classification have wedge-shaped, angled serifs and a low contrast of their thick/thin strokes.
When were formal scripts developed?
Formal scripts developed from formal writings of the 17th and 18th century handwriting masters. They will lend a formal quality to a composition.
When were casual scripts developed?
The 20th century
Describe the characteristics of a Script typeface?
Script typefaces are based on forms made with flexible brushes or pens and have varied strokes of reminiscent of handwriting. Scripts should not be used as small body text. It would be too difficult to read.
When was Modern typefaces developed and why?
The Modern classification was developed in the late 18th and 19th centuries as a radical break from traditional typography of the time.
Describe the characteristics of a Modern typeface?
Modern typefaces have a sharp contrast between thick and thin strokes and have thin, flat serifs.
How early can Sans Serif typefaces be found? What happened?
San serif typefaces can be found as early as the 5th century. However, the Italian Renaissance return to Old Style made the Sans Serif classification obsolete in the 20th century.
When did they become popular?
Once again, it became popular in the 1920s.
What does "sans serif" mean?
"without serifs"
Describe the characteristics of a Sans Serif typeface?
Its strokes are uniform in weight and have a monotone appearance.
When was Slab Serif developed and why?
The Slab Serif classification was developed in the 19th century for advertising purposes.
Describe the characteristics of a Slab Serif typeface?
It's mainly used for decorative purposes and headlines. It has a uniform line weight and thicker, square serifs.
Describe Decorative typefaces? These typefaces have the most distinctive design style, and were developed with a specific purpose, or theme, in mind.
Why were they developed? 
Decorative includes a variety of typefaces and are typically those that don't belong to other decorations. Typefaces may incorporate pictures of objects, animals, etc. into the character design.
What are they best used for?
They are best used for larger point sizes, or display type.