form & content
what is shown is what is said
rachel kapicak
form & content
form & content
what is shown is what is said
rachel kapicak
vii
contents
Introduction
iii
1 Historical Synopsis of Bembo
7
2 Space
13
3 Structure
17
4 Form and Counterform
23
Bibliography
27
Index
29
i
b
introduction
Without rhythm there would be no life, there would be no creation at all. Each creature passes rhythmically through its stages of growth; under the wind’s influence, forests, corn fields and the shifting sands move in rhythm. The advent of the machine has brought home to us again the value of a working rhythm, and we know that the health of the worker, his mental equilibrium, depends on his working in rhythm. Every shade of rhythmic awareness can be seen reflected in works
iii
of art down the ages. And in the twentieth century in particular, artists have again become alive to the significance and power of rhythm in design. In typography there are many opportunities of working with rhythmic values. Take a typeface for instance. The straights and curves, verticals and horizontals, sloping elements, starts and finishes work together to produce a rhythmic pattern. There is an abundance of rhythmic values in an ordinary piece of composition: ascenders and descenders, round and pointed forms, symmetry and asymmetry. The word spaces divide the line and type matter into words of
iv
unequal size, into a rhythmic interplay of varying lengths and values of different weight. Break and blank lines also add accents of their own to the pattern of composition, and finally the graded sizes of the type are another means of bringing rhythm into the typographer’s work. If a simple piece of text is well composed, it will of its own accord give the work a rhythmic appeal. The format of the paper is another rhythmic pattern, whether it is the symmetry of the equilateral square, or the stressed rhythm of the edges and sides of the rectangle. The typographer has endless possibili-
v
ties of creating rhythms by the way he disposes his composition on the page. The shape of the composition can harmonize or contrast in its rhythm with the format of the paper. In designing composition, the typographer should examine every possible means of getting away from the rigid systems of dull repetition, not merely for the sake of vitalizing the form but also in the interests of legibility.
— Emil Ruder typographie
1967
vi
e
1 Historical Synopsis of Bembo
1
beginning of bembo
Bembo is based
1495
off of the Pietro’s
Original
Cardinal Pietro Bembo Designer
1495 De Aetna.
Aldus Manutius Printer and Publisher Francesco Griffo Punch-cutter 1927
Revival
Stanley Morison Monotype Foundry Revival Designer
Bembo was created during the Renaissance, a time of intellectual metamorphasis. Bembo’s qualities mirror this bridge between the Middle Ages and the Modern Era.
8
characteristics of bembo
Bembo is a very
This amount of leading, or space between the base-
popular book type as a result of its legibility throughout readable text.
line of one line of text to another, is unnescessary for Bembo to be easily read.
Instead, much less leading is required when setting text in this typeface in order for the viewer to receive and understand the message.
The mark of the human hand is
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
present through out the strokes of the figures.
As illustrated above, Bembo is known for being easily read. This beautiful, historic typeface is a favorite amongst typographers.
9
classification: oldface
Axis/Felt Axis/Stress
Drastic angle of serif Moderate modulation
Brackets present
1495
agoOQ
ab r Typefaces are split into eight clasifications, ranging in dates from 1495 to the present day, with the most recent classification dating 1957. Oldface, is the first recognized classification. The above characteristics reflect not only Bembo but many Oldface typefaces as well.
10
fi fl “ �( ) . ? ! ; $&
k
Ligatures
Special Characters
Relatively large x-height
characteristics of bembo
b
Bembo is most easily recognized by its extreme serif angle and the stress of the “o .�
o
11
characteristics of bembo
Bembo contains eight weights within the type family.
Bembo Regular Bembo Italic
small caps 012 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Text Figures Proportional Oldstyle Non-lining Figures
Bembo Semibold Bembo Semibold Italic
0123456789
Lining Figures
Bembo Bold Bembo Bold Italic Bembo Extra Bold Bembo Extra Bold Italic
Text figures, or non-lining figures, are one of the most attractive features that Bembo contains. In addition, Bembo’s various weights have been specially designed by its creators.
12
m
2 Space
2
space
In typographic design, typographic elements and twodimensional space interact with one another in a figure/ ground relationship. This relationship between typographic form and its background is fundamental to design. Equal consideration must be given to each: the interaction between them is mutual and mutable. Space is the common ground for all elements; it provides a frame of reference and significantly affects the expressive qualities of the elements placed within it.
14
Depending on their placement within a given space, the same elements will assume different visual aspects of weight and movement. The visual expression of space is determined by both the characteristics and the placement of elements within it. Space is visually subdivided by the tension that develops between an element and the boundaries of space. Inherent in every text, typeset or handwritten, is a basic shape that is determined by the size, spacing, and organization of elements. Space has two fundamental characteristics: size and proportion. Rectangular space and square space are delineated by two horizd two verticals, which
In typographic design, space is defined by two horizontals and two verticals, which may be the edges of a page or a frame.
15
determine its size and proportion. A square, because of its equal horizontal and vertical delineations, is visually neutral. A rectangular space has specific visual forces— horizontal space is passive, vertical space is active.
— Willi Kunz typography : macro and microaesthetics
1967
Space can be imagined without elements, but elements cannot exist without space. Space provides the frame of reference for typographic elements. In space, the size of the elements becomes relative: two identical elements appear differently depending on the size of the space they are placed in.
16
b
3 Structure
3
structure
A fundamental structure is inherent in all typography. Even a single word or line of type placed on a blank sheet of paper subdivides the space and creates a simple visual structure. Because a structure is always present to some degree, it serves as a powerful element in design. Typographic design can proceed from two types of structure: an optically improvised visual structure, or a predetermined structure—the grid system. An optically improvised visual structure results from arranging typographic elements according to aesthetic criteria. The size and shape of letters, words, and
18
lines of type determine the subdivision of space. Like building blocks, the individual elements are highly dependent on each other: if one element is changed, other elements need to be adjusted, either in placement or size, to balance the composition. Since there are virtually no limitations to the arrangement of a given set of typographic elements, this visual structure is essentially on open system. Typographic design based on empirical criteria is a personal expression of the designer, and demands creativity, sensitivity, intuition and judgement. To maintain design integrity, the designer must be constantly involved throughout the entire design and production process. This improvised visual approach can yield interesting and unique solutions.
19
For complex, extensive assignments, a predetermined structure—the grid system—is necessary. In contrast to the optically improvised structure, the grid is a closed system that is implemented consistently once the structure has been developed. Modular grids consist of a series of modules separated by a consistent space and organized into columns and rows. Modules determine the dimensions and placement of graphic and typographic elements, which may include pictures, headings, text, captions, and page numbers. In this way, the grid serves as a strong organizational device, providing unity between page elements and the pages themselves, while at the same time allowing for a vast number of variations.
20
The grid functions strictly as an organizational device, one that provides order but is itself invisible. Graphic and typographic elements are guided by, but never subordinated to, the grid. Although it facilitates order, using a grid does not necessarily yield unimaginative and rigid solutions. Like any systematic approach, it can lead to lively results if used with imagination and applied to the right task. Grid systems also make it easier for several individuals to collaborate on a large project. The design of a publication, for instance, is frequently a team effort, and benefits from the organized structure a grid system provides.
21
Working with a grid involves two phases: developing a structure that accommodates all the elements, and organizing those elements following that structure. Each phase is equally important. When devising a grid, the designer must not only take into account the idiosyncrasies of the typographic material but also anticipate all the possible problems of working with the material, for example the cropping of photographs. For this reason, the development of a grid must always proceed from an analysis of all the visual material that will be included in the design: the more thoroughly the structure is related to the given material, the more rigorous the visual solution will be.
— Willi Kunz typography : macro and microaesthetics
1967
22
o
4 Form and Counterform
4
form and counterform
The most fundamental aspect of typographic design is the interplay between letterform and background. Against its background, every letterform defines a particular counterform. Form and counterform are interdependent, reciprocal values, each integral to a letter’s design. The counterform is not simply the reversal of the form: it is a new entity, the part of the background that emerges through interaction with the form.
In the counterforms of letters there exists a fascinating new world of forms. Some counterforms are clear and simple, immediately revealing the character of a particular letter, while others are ambiguous or mysterious.
24
When combined, letterforms create new counterforms between them. Tight spacing intensifies the counterforms between letters, while open spacing emphasizes those in the individual letter. The counterforms created by varying line lengths, make ragged right composition visually lighter and more playful than justified type. Typographic design depends on the synergy of form and counterform. Elements must be arranged so that counterforms are clearly defined. The qualities of the background—its size and shape—are vital for expression of any design. In judging design, evaluations must consider not only form but also counterform. — Willi Kunz typography : macro and microaesthetics
1967
When letterforms are combined, new counterforms emerge between them. The background now becomes the form as the letter’s original form submerges. The counterforms between letters are a rich vocabulary of new visual signs that are ultimately determined by the structure of language and grammar.
25