&
italic, size 20pt
traditional typefaces
were influenced by rationalist philosophy and Neoclassicism. Baskerville expresses these ideological movements through its near vertical axis, systematic construction & high stroke contrast. The Transitional typefaces were popular through the 1800’s, and typefaces like Baskerville were influential in typeface design of that time. Baskerville was created with the intent on increasing legibility.
roman, size 9pt; small caps 14pt
There is no ‘official’ nomenclature for the unique structural features of type...
roman, size 600pt, italic, size 9pt;
but there should be.
roman, size 600pt, italic, size 9pt
{jé} is an organic, flowing form that contains four distinct parts; an uppercase ‘o’, a link, a lower loop, and an ear.
italic, size 10pt, & 48pt
link
g
ear
uppercase ‘O’
loop
roman, size 400pt, italic, size 10pt
Type roman, size 150pt; italic, size 9pt
cap height x-height
base line
{tĂp}
design has three important features. The cap height, the x-height, and the base line. The x-height is an important part of any typeface, because a higher x-height allows for more legibility. Meanwhile, the base line shows off the curvature of letters, as they fall slightly lower or above this line, grounding it in space.
roman, size 9; italic, size 48pt
2
spiral terminal
serif
roman, size 340pt, italic, size 10pt
{toó}
in Baskerville comes in many different variations. The roman version of Baskerville’s 2 is a defining feature of the typeface. The 2 is divided into two main components: an upper hook and a downward pointing serif. The upper hook, called a spiral terminal, elegantly flows around the form. The base of the 2’s weight balances out the thickness of the hook, and elegantly leads to the serif on the base.
roman, size 9pt, italic, size 48pt
beak bowl
shoulder
baske }
counter
ascender
}
diagonal
blunted spur
eye
leg terminal
roman, size 160pt & 50pt; italic, size 9pt
spine
dot
erville finial
bowl
terminal
vertex
stem
{fiv} in Baskerville has a beautiful, curving flag that creates contrast with the vertical stem, and relates back to the swooping feel of the bowl.
roman, size 9; italic, size 48pt
flag
5
roman, size 240pt; italic, size 9pt;
typeface
a family of related fonts in a range of sizes.
roman, size 8pt; italic, size 30pt
font
a set of characters in one size and style.
roman, size 8pt; italic, size 30pt
elliptical terminal
JP descender
italic, size 9pt ; small caps, size 250pt
base line
{jรก} is the only letter in the small caps form where the descender is present, and falls far below the base line.
italic, size 10pt & size 48pt
{
Type design is a subtle activity.
italic, size 9pt & size 600pt
}
It is difficult to alter the shape of a letter without diminishing its legibility.
italic, size 9pt & size 600pt
book designed by michelle ghiotti text from designing type by karen cheng
italic, size 8pt; small caps, 8pt
&
italic, size 20pt