The Anatomy of Type: A Comprehensive Guide to Typographic Design

Typography is the art and technique of arranging type to make written language legible, readable and appealing when displayed. The anatomy of type refers to the individual components that make up a typeface, including the letterforms, glyphs, and other typographic elements.

Letterforms

The letterform is the basic unit of type. It is the visual representation of a letter or other character. Letterforms can be classified into two main categories: serif and sans-serif.

The Anatomy of Type: A Graphic Guide to 100 Typefaces

by Stephen Coles

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Language	:	English
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• Serif letterforms have small strokes or "feet" at the ends of their main strokes. These strokes help to guide the eye across the page and make the type more legible. Serif fonts are often used in printed materials, such as books and magazines.
• Sans-serif letterforms do not have serifs. They are often more modern and informal than serif fonts. Sans-serif fonts are often used in web design and other digital applications.

Glyphs

A glyph is a specific representation of a letterform. It includes the letterform itself, as well as any other marks or symbols that are associated with it, such as accents, diacritics, and ligatures.

Glyphs are stored in a font file. When a font is used to display text, the computer will select the appropriate glyphs for each character. This process is called glyph substitution.

Other Typographic Elements

In addition to letterforms and glyphs, there are a number of other typographic elements that can be used to create type. These elements include:

• Font: A font is a collection of glyphs that share a common design. Fonts can be classified into two main categories: typefaces and font families.
• Typeface: A typeface is a set of glyphs that share a common design and style. Typefaces can be further classified into two subcategories: roman and italic.
• Font family: A font family is a set of typefaces that share a common design. Font families can include a variety of different styles, such as regular, bold, italic, and condensed.
• Kerning: Kerning is the process of adjusting the spacing between individual letters. Kerning can be used to improve the readability and appearance of type.
• Tracking: Tracking is the process of adjusting the spacing between all of the letters in a line of text. Tracking can be used to create different visual effects, such as condensation or expansion.
• Leading: Leading is the process of adjusting the spacing between lines of text. Leading can be used to improve the readability and appearance of type.

The anatomy of type is a complex and fascinating subject. By understanding the individual components that make up type, you can create more effective and visually appealing typography.

The Anatomy of Type: A Graphic Guide to 100 Typefaces

by Stephen Coles

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	49917 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	381 pages

FREE