Typography - Definition and Overview

Typography (from the Greek words typos = form and grapho = write) is the art and technique of selecting and arranging type styles, point sizes, line lengths, line leading, character spacing, and word spacing for typeset applications. These applications can be physical or digital. The two primary functions of typography are the presentation of text in a manner that is not only easy to read but also visually engaging. The latter function of typography may be expressed in two ways: through color and the atmosphere or feel of the printed material. Other typographic issues that a typographer involved with the traditional printing press might be interested in, are paper selection, ink choice, and the printing method. Typography is performed by typographers.

Contrast typography with orthography, a method of representing the sounds of a language by written or printed symbols and the study of correct spelling according to established usage.

Typography is broader than type design, the art of designing typefaces – the size and style of the letters or characters.

See also

• Calligraphy
• Computers and Typesetting
• Desktop publishing
• Em
• Graphic design
• Justification (typesetting)
• Kerning
• Leading
• Ligature (typography)
• List of typographers
• Mixed case
• Paragraph
• Printing
• Printing press
• Orthography
• Quotation mark
• Serif
• Text figures
• Tracking
• Typefaces
• Typographic units
• Typesetting
• Widows and Orphans
• Word processor

Reference

• Bringhurst, Robert (2002). The Elements of Typographic Style (version 2.5). Vancouver: Hartley & Marks. ISBN 0-88179-133-4. Often referred to simply as Bringhurst, it is widely respected as the modern authority on typographic style (excerpts (http://www.aaronsw.com/2002/typographicStyle)).

External links

• Comp.fonts FAQ: General Info (http://www.faqs.org/faqs/fonts-faq/part4/) - Section four of six of the newsgroup FAQ
• Typographica (http://www.typographi.com) - a daily journal of typography
• Typography, Type and Design (http://www.typolis.de/version1/indexe.htm)
• Typography Directory (http://www.dmoz.org/Arts/Graphic_Design/Typography/)
• http://counterspace.motivo.com/
• http://www.typophile.com/
• Typo.cz (http://euro.typo.cz/) - information on Central European typography and typesetting
• Kurt Weidemann (http://www.haus3.net/mitglieder/kurt_weidemann.html) - In German
• Web Typography (http://www.flywebmaster.com/webdesign/tips/typography.php)
• Multilingual Typographic Dictionary (http://www.irisa.fr/faqtypo/lexique.html) - typographic lexicon in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.
• Microsoft Typography page (http://www.microsoft.com/typography/default.mspx)