Definition of typography:
Typography is concerned with the determination of the appearance of the printed page; the art, craft or process of composing type and printing from it; is writing with prefabricated letters.
Why care about typography?
Typography is similar to fashion but it is just designed for letters. Different looks of typefaces fit with a particular look or style of writing, layout or design. The purpose of typography is to communicate with the readers therefore choosing the right type is very essential because it evokes a particular feeling and it is important that it is the right feeling that the designer wanted to express.
The selection of typefaces, arrangement of the text, use of colours and symbols in creating a brand is also building its unique personality that identifies the product. Besides, typography has to be legible most of the times. For example, Helvetica and Times New Roman are fonts that are comfortable and pleasing to look at for a long time on books or on screens, they are overused however they are beautifully designed and serve its purpose perfectly.
Good Typography vs Bad Typography
“When a type design is good it is not because each individual letter of the alphabet is perfect in form, but because there is a feeling of unbroken harmony and rhythm that runs through the whole design, each letter to each other and to all.”
Bad typography is about improper kerning, spacing, arrangement, colours….and here are some examples:
Legibility and Readability
- Readability is whether an extended amount of text—such as an article, book, web page—is easy to read.
- Legibility is whether a small burst of text such as a sign or a headline is instantly recognizable.
It is important that texts are legible for reader to skim through information quickly.
Essay questions
1. In ‘The Grand Design’, Robert Bringhurst frequently compares typography to music. If you were to draw an analogy between typography and something else, what would you choose? Write an essay discussing this analogy.
2. Anthony Froshaug writes: ‘To communicate, you can’t just be cold as an arrival indicator at a railway station: you must thrill them.’ Discuss this point in relation to typography.
3. To what extent can typography change or alter the meaning of words?
Stephanie Suen 