Week 10 Page 1: Introduction to Typography
Typography and Readability
This week we're going to explore Typography...one of my favorite areas of graphic design!
The focus will be on the more technical aspects of typography: readability and legibility, selecting typefaces and web typography issues. A brief lecture on typography is hardly adequate to cover the complexities and subtleties of working with type. However, I hope by the end of this week you'll have a better sense of how to handle and use type.
Firstly, what is typography and why is it so important?
What is Typography?
Essentially, typography is the science and art of communicating through type. It's a science because there are many rules about how to format and handle type to enhance readability. It's an art because type can be used as a powerful communicator of mood and meaning.
Why is Typography so important?
Take a moment to consider how crucial reading is to print and web communication. Without content, most print materials and web pages would be pointless. Recent advances in technology have also changed the way we access and read information. More and more of that information is read onscreen (rather than in print) whether it be on a desktop computer, laptop, i-pad, smart phone or kindle. Understanding screen typography is ever more important!!
Interface designer, Oliver Reichenstein writes:
"95% of the information on the web is written language. It is only logical to say that a web designer should get good training in the main discipline of shaping written information, in other words: Typography."
(http://www.informationarchitects.jp/en/the-web-is-all-about-typography-period/
Links to an external site.)
The bottom line...
If you handle the typography of your web content well, you communicate well. Conversely, if you handle the typography of the content poorly, you impede communication (and nobody reads your web page!).
So read on... and find out how to handle your type effectively!!