TypogWrkbk_p010-043/M15
14/6/04
9:56 AM
Page 14 15 15
14
Typography Workbook
15
Letterform Basics The Foundation of Typographic Design
Typography in Western culture happens simultaneously on two visual levels. The macro level of overall composition guides our eyes around a format, and the micro level of minute details provides the basis for how we perceive the big picture. The individual forms and interaction of alphabetic characters is the key to understanding and working with typography at the macro level.
p14
Job no:80872 Title : RP-Typography Workbook Client : Pro-Vision Scn : #175 Size : 228.6(w)228.6(h)mm Co : M15 C0 O/P: CTP Dept : DTP D/O : 08.04.04(Job no:80872c3 D/O : 14.6.04 Co: CM11)
Text Black
The Roman alphabet used in Western typography can be understood as a system of line drawings. The drawing of individual letters is archetypal; each form has been steadily codified and passed along over the generations. The archetypal form of a particular letter is what distinguishes it from other letters and makes it recognizable. Letterforms are iconic, so ingrained into Western consciousness that their visual form holds sway over the perception of other images—many objects remind us of letters. This proposition is profound, since the letters of our alphabet were originally derived from pictographic drawings—like the hieroglyphs of the ancient Egyptians—representing real-world objects. Western culture has evolved such that the image of the letter is preeminent over its pictorial origin. Its visual qualities drive modern typography at every level.
Job no: Scn : #1 Dept : D