Type01 / Project One / Definitions (type)

weight: Relative darkness of the characters of a type font resulting from the relative thickness of the strokes.


width:The width of a typeface is often expressed in characters per pica, that is, the average number of characters that will fit within a pica.


style: Variations in the thickness and stroke, such as light, bold, italic, that lend flexibility and emphasis in the appearance of characters


font:  A specific size and style of a given typeface; A set of characters that have a unified design and purpose

typeface: A collection of typographic characters (letters, numerals, punctuation, symbols) designed to be used together.

x-height:the height of the lowercase letter x. It is also the height of the body of lowercase letters in a font, excluding the ascenders and descenders.


cap height: Cap Height is the amount of distance that exists from the top of the capital letters to the baseline.

leading:

Leading is the space between lines of type. It is generally measured from baseline to baseline and expressed in points.

letterspacing (tracking): spaces in between typographical characters, to allow their groupings more agreeable to the eye.

MEASURING TYPE

How is type measured? in inches, mm, points or picas?

- the measurement of type size is from the tip of the ascender to the bottom of a descender of a letter.

- type is measured in points, and picas


- One point is nearly 1/72 of an inch, with 12 points being called a pica, which then measures approximately 1/6 of an inch.


point:

-  a standard measurement unit for type sizes. One point equals approximately 1/72 of an inch.

pica:

-  The system is a modification of a French system, and is based on the pica body. This pica body is divided into twelfths, which are termed "points," and every type body consist of a given number of these points

How many points in an inch?

- 72

If a letter is set in 36 pts, about how many inches tall is it?

- 1/2 inches tall


How many picas in an inch?

- 6

How many points in a pica?

- 12

VISC204 / Red Crowned Crane sounds

Link--CRANE SOUNDS



Crane sounds & dance

TYPE01 / Project One / Definitions (grid)

-define the word “grid”

A grid is a structured foundation upon which information is organized.

-why do we (designers) use a grid? what are the benefits or functions?

Designers use a grid for precision, uniformity, cohesiveness, and to create hierarchy.

-what is a modular grid?

A module grid is composed of vertical and horizontal spaces that equally divide columns and rows. This helps the designer to organize text and images in a consistent manner.

-define and illustrate: margins, columns, grid modules, flowlines, gutter

Margins: The space surrounding the content of the page.

Columns: One or more vertical blocks of content positioned on a page, separated by gutters.

Grid Modules: A grid module is composed of  repeated rectangles, that are separated by horizontal and vertical gutters, and organized in columns.

Flowlines: Horizontal lines that subdivide the columns into rows.


Gutter:  Gutter is the blank space that separates rows and columns.

-define hierarchy
The order of importance.

-define typographic color
The visual shading (blackness/grayness) of a block of text.

-what are the ways we achieve a clear hierarchy?
1. Choice of typeface (x-height)
2. Paragraph spaces (indented, line spaces, etc)
3. Use of type styles (bold, italic, condensed, etc)
4. Alignment (ranged left, ranged right, justified, centered)

-define white space
Negative space. The space where no image or text exists.

-define contrast
To distinguish by comparison of unlike or opposite qualities.

MADE / TYPE 01

 

Exercise in Type 01 ---- go on a hunt (on campus) for items that look like the letters M, A, D, E.

I was partners with Keen (hope I spelled your name correctly).

Sharing....

Here is a link to a photographer that captures some amazing macro images. I am most intrigued by his insect photography. Have a look:

Brian Valentine, a.k.a. Lord V

Project 1A -- Research / VISC204

The (red-crowned) Crane

I chose the crane because of its elegant dance-like poses on the ground and in the air. They "dance" as part of their mating ritual. Cranes symbolize longevity, promising success, a soaring spirit, health, and happiness. I have also noticed that lately I am drawn to designs that are composed mostly of black, white, and red. This crane just so happens to to be black and white, with a touch of red.

link to an excellent site re:Cranes

another good link 

Cranes

 History and Meaning of the Crane

Red-Crowned Crane Fact Sheet

Japanese Cranes Facts and Details

creative search link

I (Heart) Design / Visc 204

FRINGE INTRO

Andrew Kramer

 

 LINK

This design captures my attention every time I see it. Each time I view it, I notice something new. It is both visually appealing and  stimulating.

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Something as complex as a logo is put into a basic elementary context. It reminds me that something simple can carry many meanings.

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What attracts me to these particular posters are the use of color to convey a mood, use of negative space, and the linear aspects of all three. Again, simplicity can speak volumes.

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The use of positive and negative type, the beautiful lady, the use of only 3 colors, all add up to a well designed cover.

This is an example of probably one of the first things that moved me as a designer. Yes, it is just a boring, and somewhat antiquated, message pad. However, I have always been drawn to forms, especially office forms. You now know my deep ,dark, dork secret. I like the sense of order and structure that forms give you.






You, my friend, are a victim of disorganized thinking.
---- Wizard of Oz
 

A 20 Minute Intro to Typography Basics / VISC 202