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Introduction to Typography Essay

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Introduction to Typography
Typography is all around us and we use it everyday to aid us in communication. It is essential to know the basics about typography and the different types of typography before it is discussed in the terms of ‘typography in society’. The basics of typography are: the different type families, and some technical terms which are imperative when discussing the technical and symbolic aspects of typefaces and letter forms.

Type Families
Roman
Roman is the standard style of typeface. It isn’t altered by width, weight, angle or any other defining characteristic. This particular type family is easy to read and is therefore often used as the body of a text, such as the text of a book.

Italic
Unlike roman type, …show more content…

This provides great flexibility within the font family.

Condensed
Condensed type is the opposite of extended type. As this variation is narrower, it can fit into small spaces. Like the extended variation it allows more flexibility when working with a typeface and provides more style options without having to use a completely different font.

Combined Styles
Most type families don’t just provide single variations but will provide a combination of each. This allows the designer more flexibility and more options to work with. Some of the more common combined options are Bold Italic, Light Italic and Condensed Bold. By using combined options the designer can achieve a consistent design using a variety of styles.

Terminology
Typeface
A typeface refers to a ground of characters that share a common design, element or style. For example, Helvetica and Times New Roman are typefaces.
Font
A font refers to how typefaces are displayed or presented by their user.
Serif
Serif fonts are recognised by the small tails that are featured on the ends of the strokes of a character. Serif fonts are often used for large blocks of writing as these small lines make the typeface easier to read by guiding the eye from character to character, and therefore letter to letter. A common sans serif font that is used by people throughout the world is Times New Roman. Sans Serif
Sans Serif fonts are the opposite of a serif font. The small lines that are at the end of characters are

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