Graphic designLesson 1 of 4 in the course Typography

Typography: History, Reading, Display, and Digital Practice

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

Save course
Lesson progress
0 / 5

Your progress is kept in this browser only.Sign up to save it

Summary

Typography shapes how written language appears and how easily people can read it. This lesson introduces the craft, its key components, and early evidence of repeated letterforms and printing.

Typography is the art and technique of arranging type so written language is legible and readable when displayed. Its choices include typeface, point size, line length, line spacing, letter spacing, and the spacing between pairs of letters. The term also describes the style, arrangement, and appearance of letters, numbers, and symbols.

All flashcards

What is typography?
The art and technique of arranging type to present written language and other symbols.
How does type design differ from typography?
Type design creates typefaces; typography selects and arranges type for communication or visual effect.
What are the Greek roots of the word typography?
*Typos* means type, form, or impression; *-graphía* means writing.
What is movable type?
Reusable individual characters that can be arranged in sequence to print different texts.
What is experimental typography?
An unconventional approach to type that may prioritize artistic expression over immediate legibility.

Quiz questions

  1. What is the difference between legibility and readability?Answer: Legibility concerns identifying characters; readability concerns following and understanding text as a whole.
  2. How do modern Roman typefaces typically differ from old-style faces?Answer: Modern faces usually have greater contrast between thick and thin strokes.
  3. What may experimental typography prioritize over immediate legibility?Answer: Emotional and visual expression.
  4. What should designers consider when creating monumental lettering?Answer: Letter scale, viewing distance, and the physical setting.
  5. Which spacing convention is traditionally used in French typography before a colon or semicolon?Answer: A non-breaking space.

Based on the Wikipedia article Typography, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

More in Graphic design

All Graphic design lessons
Graphic designColor Theory: History, Mixing, Perception, and Design5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →Graphic designRGB Color in Digital Imaging: Mixing, Encoding, and Color Management5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →Graphic designTypography: Typeface Terminology, Styles, Production, and Design5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →Graphic designKerning: Principles, Digital Values, and Typesetting5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →Graphic designTypography Leading: Measurement, Readability, and Layout5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →Graphic designVisual Hierarchy: Contrast, Attention, and Design Applications5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →