A MINI TYPE ALMANAC Mariahlyn Okuna
CONTENTS LET’S START HERE
1
TYPE THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
3
FAVORITES
27
CRITIQUE
53
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LET’S START HERE
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This type almanac is meant to help those who are beginners at making type interesting and dynamic. This resources contains a culmunation of information regarding the basics of typography, rules, helpful tips, and other sources. Furthermore, this almanac maps out some of my personal Type II projects including a spunky digital zine and cool posters. Continue on and dive into the world of type.
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TYPE THING SHOULD KNO and probably not forget
GS YOU OW
HERE ARE THE BASICS
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WHAT IS A TYPEFACE? A typeface refers to the basic design of the letter forms. “Typefaces are designs like Baskerville, Gill Sans or Papyrus. Type designers create typefaces. Today they use software programs like Fontographer or Font Lab to create the individual letters.” —Allan Haley
WHAT IS A FONT? A font refers to a specific subset of letter forms within a typeface. For example, Garamond in 12 point is a different font from bold Garamond in 10 point. “Fonts are the things that enable the printing of typefaces. Type foundries produce fonts. Sometimes designers and foundries are one and the same, but creating a typeface and producing a font are two separate functions.” —Allan Haley
POINT SIZE Typographic measurement uses two standard units: points and picas. French type designer Pierre Simon Fournier le Jeune was the first to introduce the point system. ◾◾ 12 points = 1 pica ◾◾ 6 picas = 1 inch Measurements are written like 1p6 (1 pica + 6 points).
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HOW TO CHOOSE A TYPEFACE
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When choosing a typeface, consider these factors: ◾◾ the typeface’s thick-to-thin stroke contrast (if the
contrast is too extreme, the type will start to break
up and disappear)
◾◾ how tall the x-height is—a higher x-height is ideal,
especially for interfaces and wayfinding
◾◾ however, if the x-height is too high, the letters n, h, a, d can become difficult to distinguish ◾◾ character distinction is important—making sure the
l,1, and I is distinguishable from each other
◾◾ special characters should be included in the typeface
you use
◾◾ Find alternative typefaces to the classic ones
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LEADING, TRACKING, + KERNING
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LEADING When setting text, customize the leading instead of leaving it on “Auto.” A good rule is keep the leading 120–145% of the point size.
LINE LENGTH Pay attention to the line length of the text. If the length is too long, readers will find it more difficult to focus on the text. Likewise, if the line length is too short, the reader’s eye will travel back to the beginning of the next line too often causing the reader to be disoriented. The optimal line length is 18–30 words. This almanac is a good example.
TRACKING Letterspacing is important, especially with bold text. Tracking out text allows for better legibility. All caps text or bold text usually needs some tracking. THIS WOULD BE WHEN YOU WOULD TRACK +10.
KERNING Some text may need some adjustments between two letters if the forms are too close or too far apart. Most display sized type will usually need, manual kerning.
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THIS A HU TITLE
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S IS UGE E
*manually kerned A MINI TYPE ALMANAC | 12
RAG + INDICATING PARAGRAPHS
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RAGS Having balanced rags is less distracting for the eye. Furthermore, the viewer’s reading rhythm will flow smoother and without interruption. Large “bites” out of the paragraphs are even more noticeable at larger point sizes. Use soft returns, hyphenation, or tracking to balance rags.
HOW TO INDICATE SEPARATE PARAGRAPHS There are two ways to distinguish separate paragraphs within the body text. One way is to have a space after each paragraph. A good rule is to start with half of the type’s point size and increase the space after if needed. This type almanac utilizes the space after method. The second way is to have a first line indent for each paragraph. It is important to note that the first paragraph is not indented, however the following paragraphs are indented. More importantly, do not use both methods simultaneously.
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HYPHENATION
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CUSTOMIZE HYPHENATION In body text, avoid small fragmented words and too many consecutive hyphenated lines. To do this, adjust the hyphenation settings for your body text.
HYPHENATION SETTINGS The settings should be set as follows: ◾◾ Words with at least 6 letters ◾◾ After first 3 letters ◾◾ Before last 3 letters ◾◾ Hyphen limit 2 hyphens ◾◾ Uncheck “Hyphenate Capitalized Words,” “Hyphen
Last Word,” and “Hyphenate Across Column”
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ORPHANS + WIDOWS
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AVOID WIDOWS Do not end a paragraph with the last line only containing a single word. Instead, find ways to tuck that last word to the previous line, or move around other words that kicks a couple more words to the last line.
AVOID ORPHANS Do not allow the last two or so lines of a paragraph to jump to another text frame or page. Adjust the text frame or column height to balance the lines.
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DASHES + QUOTES
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USE PROPER DASHES When setting text, remember to use the appropriate dash or hyphen. There are three major terms: hyphen, en dash, and em dash. Hyphen | - [-] Use an hyphen for connecting two words or breaking up a single word when it is too long for the column width. En Dash | – [OPT + -] Use an en dash to indicate duration. ◾◾ I visited Atlantis from 1992–1994. Em Dash | — [OPT + SHIFT + -] used to connect separate phrases or indicated a break in the flow of the text ◾◾ He was handsome—oddly enough.
USE PROPER SMART QUOTATIONS Use smart quotation marks and other types of quotation marks appropriately. There are smart quotes, dumb quotes, and prime marks. Use smart quotation marks in body text instead of using dumb quotes. ◾◾ ”Typography is an art. Good typography is art.”
—Paul Rand
Prime marks are used to indicate feet and inches. ◾◾ He is 5'10"
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WHEN YOU SHOULD ITALICIZE
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THINGS TO ITALICIZE If you’re unsure to italicize something, reference this list. For emphasis ◾◾ She was incredibly tired after her class critique. Titles of works ◾◾ Books (Elements of Style) ◾◾ Magazines (Time magazine) ◾◾ Newspapers (Wall Street Journal) ◾◾ Plays (Romeo & Juliet) ◾◾ Movies (Helvetica) ◾◾ Works of Art (Monet’s Waterlilies) ◾◾ TV/radio programs (The Simpsons) ◾◾ CD/Album (Ash & Ice by The Kills) Foreign, technical, or unfamiliar words ◾◾ Ordino is the latin term for order or organization. Names of ships, planes, aircraft, and spacecraft ◾◾ NASA’s Challenger
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PAIRING TYPEFACES
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HOW TO PAIR TWO TYPEFACES When pairing different typefaces, make sure to: ◾◾ look for inherent relationships between two
typefaces—like similar proportions or shapes
◾◾ avoid pairing typefaces that are too similar ◾◾ on the other hand, look for typefaces that are
very different
◾◾ consider a large type family that includes its own
serif and sans serif
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PROOFREAD CHECKLIST
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BEFORE YOU’RE DONE Go through these things before you finish setting your type. ◾◾ Is all of your spelling correct? ◾◾ Have you italicized all of the titles in your body text? ◾◾ Are you using the correct dashes? Quotes? ◾◾ Is your leading too tight or too loose? ◾◾ Are your rags balanced? Check for holes or “bites.”
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FAVORITES
here are some recommendations if yo
ou’re looking for something cool
GO-TO TYPEFACES
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Avenir 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 89 abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ Proxima Nova 123456789 abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ Frutiger LT Std 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 89 abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ Univers 12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R ST U V W XY Z Fira Sans 1 2 3 4 5 678 9 abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ Facit 123456789 abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ Merriweather 1 2 345 6 7 89 abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ Museo Sans 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 89 abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ Bodoni Std 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 89 abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
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RESOURCES
some places to go if the favorites fell fl type-esque related content
S
flat, or you’re interested in more
QUICK LINKS
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ALL ABOUT TYPE ◾◾ Practical Typography ◾◾ Typotheque
WANT MORE TYPEFACES? ◾◾ Lost Type ◾◾ Google Fonts
STOCK PHOTOS GALORE ◾◾ Unsplash ◾◾ Stokpic ◾◾ Death to the Stock Photo
MISCELLANEOUS ◾◾ The Noun Project
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CRITIQUE
projects through the quarter and pers
sonal reflections
TYPE QUOTES
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PROJECT DESCRIPTION For this project, you will research and document as many rules, ideas, or principles about typography as possible. A minimum of five examples must be presented on the page. Each entry must come from a different source, and each student must do their best to have unique entries. Books and scholarly articles must be used as your primary reference, not the Internet.
OBJECTIVES ◾◾ to research scholarly articles and books
about typography
◾◾ to compile a list of research findings ◾◾ to establish information hierarchy in the design
and layout of at least five quotes about typography
◾◾ to consider legibility and readability when
selecting typefaces
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PROCESS
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FINAL
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CRITIQUE NOTES The composition is dynamic and moves the eye across the composition effectively. The title working at a large display type is working well— the title is also appropriate. The information is generally organized well despite being in a more dynamic composition. Finding more alignments with the text boxes could overall improve the organization of the content.
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HEART OF A HERO
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PROJECT DESCRIPTION Using the dialogue provided, you will design a diptych that utilizes all of the text and emphasizes the fact that there is more than one voice. Think about and utilize typographic hierarchy. You can use color, and images to help support your design, but care must be taken to make sure your typography is intentional and refined. Think about how all of the typographic elements influence our interpretation of the text and how you, as a designer, can influence the viewer’s reading of the text.
OBJECTIVES ◾◾ to use typography to create a distinction between
two different voices
◾◾ to consider content when make decisions about
typeface selection and imagery
◾◾ to demonstrate an understanding of good typo-
graphic practice when setting text
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FINAL
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CRITIQUE NOTES The illustration is a great way to pull viewers in. On print, the red color of the type is a little dark to read. Where the thread and the title interact is a nice moment. The organization of the content is effective, especially with the use of the numbering system.
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ELEMENTS OF STYLE
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PROJECT DESCRIPTION The Elements of Style is a classic reference book about grammar for students and conscientious writers. The focus of the book is on composition, the effective use of plain English, and the principles of composition most commonly violated. The text is full of examples and comparisons, which necessitates the effective use of indents and shifts in typographic style. Your job is to develop a design that would appeal to high school and college-aged students. We will be breaking up the text into smaller sections, and each student will be assigned a portion of the text to be used in the creation of a small reference booklet. The second phase of the project will require you to work in teams to create a single related series of booklets.
OBJECTIVES ◾◾ to develop a grid structure that ensures consistency
in a multiple page document
◾◾ to design for a saddle stitched publication ◾◾ to properly apply paragraph and character styles ◾◾ to use typographic techniques to establish hierarchy
and clarity in a given text
◾◾ to evaluate each other’s work and modify one’s
design based on the strongest solution
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FINAL
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FINAL
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CRITIQUE NOTES There are some inconsistencies with styling the examples. There are some details left out like italicizing book titles. Overall, the design neatly organizes the content.
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ANTI MAGAZINE
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PROJECT DESCRIPTION In this project, you will be creating a digital magazine. The theme of the magazine is: Typography, Design, Activism and Social Justice (this is the theme, not the title). Students in the class will be responsible for collecting and creating all the assets for the magazine, including: text, illustrations, and photographs. All found images and text (articles, interviews, etc.) must be properly credited. Include author bylines and captions for all images.
OBJECTIVES ◾◾ to collaborate on the planning and creation of
a magazine
◾◾ to develop typography that is informed by content ◾◾ to improve and refine typographic techniques ◾◾ to increase understanding of page layout, the
importance of a grid use, hierarchy and pacing in
a multiple page document
◾◾ to create an InDesign file using paragraph and char- acter styles that can be easily modified and refined ◾◾ to develop a visual design that is appropriate for on
screen viewing
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FINAL
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FINAL
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CRITIQUE NOTES During the presentation, “Racism” was spelled incorrectly. Double check all of the dashes and quotes to ensure the right marks are used. The use of the textures give the overall zine a more dynamic look.
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CONGRATU
you’ve got to the end and now you’r
ULATIONS
re ready to wrangle some type
MARIAHLYN OKUNA A personal guide that maps out the inner workings of setting type. Typefaces used are Museo Sans and Museo Slab. March 2017