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Learning Activity - Typography QUESTION 1 Define the term typography in your own words? - Typography is the art and technique of arranganging letter, number, symbols in a certain way. The arrangement involves selecting different typefaces, point sizes, line lengths, line-spacing and letter-spacing. The typography term also applies to the style, appearance and and arrangement of letters, numbers and symbols created in the process. As a typographer youd mostly not design typefaces, and some type designers do therefore not consider themselves typographers. Write a few sentences explaining what typography is not - Typography is not directly artwork, it does pertain to be anyway. Its often believes to use art because of the flair and the creativity that can be woven into pieces. - Typography does not have one set way of doing things. It takes a collective effort of different ways and styles, and puts them together for effect. This can be something like large letters which are sporadically spaced to give the piece a disheveled look. - Typography does not use images or art in its design. Though there is a a lot of creativity and design encapsulated in the tool, you will not find actual art in the technology. The look of the tool can be mistaken, but typography only uses glyphs like special characters or special symbols which enhances the typography. - Typography does not have or use basic typing functions in its pieces. It is a resource tool and application since the entire premise of typography is to give the piece flair, or to stand significantly out. Understanding the correct function and application of the poverfool resource can help the user maximize their experience and receive the most enjoyment. Find a case study on typeface development on the Internet (similar to the ones in Addendum A). Explain which medium (small format printing, large format printing, mobile devices, etc.) the font developed is best suited for and why. Keep legibility, size and style in mind. The typeface “futura” is a sans-serif font that is geometric, modern, and versatile. Its letters seem to be based from simple shapes, such as circles, triangles, and squares, giving it a symmetrical and geometric look. Also attributing to this look, the strokes of the font have similar weight throughout each letter and its tall cap height and ascenders compared to a shorter x-height give it an interesting modern feel. The font has been used for various reasons including brand logos such as IKEA, Absolut Vodka, and Domino’s Pizza, as well as in movie titles from writers such as Stanley Kubrick and Wes Anderson. German typeface designer Paul Renner designed Futura in the mid-1920’s. Its geometric shapes were inspired by the Bauhaus, the German arts&crafts school/movement. The font was commercially released in 1927 with its additional weights being added in the years after. Many foundries, including Adobe and URW, offer digital versions of Futura. Its distinct look and good readability make Futura a good headline font, but it is often also used for body text. Avenir, Avant Garde, Gill Sans and Kabel is good alternatives to Futura. In 1969 the Apollo 11 astronauts left a commemorative plaque on the moon. Its text was set in Futura. It is no secret that through my first semester I have been using Futura a lot and its obviously one of my favourite fonts. Below is a mashup of different famous scenes displaying the use of the font.
