Typography  

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[[Image:Salut monde by Guillaume Apollinaire.jpg|thumb|left|200px|"[[Salut monde]]" by [[Guillaume Apollinaire]]]] [[Image:Salut monde by Guillaume Apollinaire.jpg|thumb|left|200px|"[[Salut monde]]" by [[Guillaume Apollinaire]]]]
-[[Image:Typographic pear.JPG|200px|thumb|right|The so-called "Typographic pear", a [[calligramme]] which was published on the cover of [[Le Charivari]] of February 27, 1834, [[subvert]]ing the magazine's obligation to publish the condemnation by presenting the text in the form of a pear.]]+[[Image:Typographic pear.JPG|200px|thumb|right|The so-called "[[Typographic pear]]", a [[calligramme]] which was published on the cover of [[Le Charivari]] of February 27, 1834, [[subvert]]ing the magazine's obligation to publish the condemnation by presenting the text in the form of a pear.]]
{{Template}} {{Template}}
-'''Typography''' (from the [[Greek language|Greek]] words τύπος (typos) = form and γραφή (graphe) = writing) is the art and technique of [[typesetting|arranging type]] in order to make language visible. The arrangement of type involves the selection of [[typeface]]s, [[Point (typography)|point size]], [[line length]], [[leading]] (line spacing), adjusting the spaces between groups of letters ([[Letter-spacing|tracking]]) and adjusting the space between pairs of letters ([[kerning]]). [[Type design]] is a closely related craft, which some consider distinct and others a part of typography; most typographers do not design typefaces, and some type designers do not consider themselves typographers. In modern times, typography has been put into motion—in film, television and online broadcasts—to add emotion to mass communication.+'''Typography''' (from the [[Greek language|Greek]] words τύπος (typos) = form and γραφή (graphe) = writing) is the art and technique of [[typesetting|arranging type]] in order to make language visible. [[Type design]] is a closely related craft, which some consider distinct and others a part of typography; most typographers do not design [[typeface]]s, and some type designers do not consider themselves typographers. In modern times, typography has been put into motion—in film, television and online broadcasts—to add emotion to mass communication.
-Typography is performed by [[typesetting|typesetters]], compositors, typographers, [[graphic designer]]s, [[art director]]s, comic book artists, graffiti artists, clerical workers, and anyone else who arranges type for a product. Until the [[Information Age|Digital Age]], typography was a specialized occupation. Digitization opened up typography to new generations of visual designers and lay users, and David Jury states that "typography is now something everybody does."{{Sfn | Jury | 2004 | p = 63}}+Typography is performed by [[typesetting|typesetters]], compositors, typographers, [[graphic designer]]s, [[art director]]s, comic book artists, graffiti artists, clerical workers, and anyone else who arranges type for a product. Until the [[Information Age|Digital Age]], typography was a specialized occupation. Digitization opened up typography to new generations of visual designers and lay users, and David Jury states that "typography is now something everybody does."
-==Scope==+==History==
-In contemporary use, the practice and study of typography is very broad, covering all aspects of letter design and application. These include: +
-* [[typesetting]] and [[type design]]+
-* [[Penmanship|handwriting]] and [[calligraphy]]+
-* [[graffiti]]+
-* inscriptional and [[architecture|architectural]] lettering+
-* poster design and other large scale lettering such as [[Information sign|signage]] and [[billboard]]s+
-* business communications and promotional collateral+
-* [[advertising]]+
-* [[logo|wordmarks and typographic logos (logotypes)]]+
-* [[Clothing|apparel (clothing)]]+
-* [[labeling (map design)|labels]] on maps+
-* [[Dashboard|vehicle instrument panels]] +
-* kinetic typography in [[film|motion picture films]] and [[television]]+
-* as a component of [[industrial design]]—type on household appliances, [[pen]]s and [[watch|wristwatch]]es, for example+
-* as a component in modern poetry (see, for example, the poetry of [[E. E. Cummings]])+
-Since digitization, typography has spread to a wider ranger of applications, appearing on [[web page]]s, [[Liquid crystal display|LCD]] [[mobile phone]] screens, and hand-held [[video game]]s. The [[Omnipresence|ubiquity]] of type has led typographers to coin the phrase "Type is everywhere".+Typography traces its origins to the first [[Punch (numismatics)|punches]] and [[Die (manufacturing)|dies]] used to make [[Seal (device)|seals]] and [[currency]] in [[ancient history|ancient times]]. The uneven spacing of the impressions on brick stamps found in the [[Mesopotamia]]n cities of [[Uruk]] and [[Larsa]], dating from the [[2nd millennium BC]], may have been evidence of type where the reuse of identical characters were applied to create cuneiform text. Babylonian [[cylinder seal]]s were used to create an impression on a surface by rolling the seal on wet clay. Typography was also realized in the [[Phaistos Disc]], an enigmatic [[Minoan civilization|Minoan]] print item from [[Crete]], Greece, which dates between 1850 and 1600 BC. It has been proposed that [[Roman lead pipe inscription]]s were created by movable type printing, but German typographer [[Herbert Brekle]] recently dismissed this view.
-Traditional typography follows four principles: [[repetition (rhetorical device)|repetition]], [[contrast (vision)|contrast]], [[Distance|proximity]], and [[Typographic alignment|alignment]].+The essential criterion of type identity was met by [[medieval]] print artifacts such as the [[Latin]] [[Pruefening Abbey inscription]] of 1119 that was created by the same technique as the Phaistos disc. The silver [[Altarpiece of Pellegrino II|altarpiece of patriarch Pellegrinus II]] (1195−1204) in the cathedral of [[Cividale del Friuli|Cividale]] was printed with individual letter punches. The same printing technique can apparently be found in 10th to 12th century [[Byzantine]] [[Reliquary|reliquaries]]. [[Individual letter tile]]s where the words are formed by assembling single letter tiles in the desired order were reasonably widespread in medieval Northern Europe.
 + 
 +Typography with [[movable type]] was invented in 11th-century China by [[Bi Sheng]] (990–1051) during the [[Song Dynasty]]. His movable type system was manufactured from ceramic materials, and clay type printing continued to be practiced in China until the [[Qing Dynasty]]. [[Wang Zhen (official)|Wang Zhen]] was one of the pioneers of wooden movable type. Although the wooden type was more durable under the mechanical rigors of handling, repeated printing wore the character faces down, and the types could only be replaced by carving new pieces. Metal type was first invented in Korea during the [[Goryeo|Goryeo Dynasty]] around 1230. [[Hua Sui]] introduced bronze type printing to China in 1490 AD. However, the diffusion of both movable-type systems was limited and the technology did not spread beyond East Asia.
 + 
 +Modern movable type, along with the mechanical [[printing press]], is most often attributed to the goldsmith [[Johannes Gutenberg]], who independently invented the technology in mid-15th century Germany. His type pieces from a [[lead]]-based [[alloy]] suited printing purposes so well that the alloy is still used today. Gutenberg developed specialized techniques for casting and combining cheap copies of [[Punchcutting|letterpunches]] in the vast quantities required to print multiple copies of texts. This technical breakthrough was instrumental in starting the [[Printing Revolution]] and printing the world's first book (with movable type) the [[Gutenberg Bible]].
 + 
 +Computer technology revolutionized typography in the 20th century. Personal computers in the 1980s like the [[Macintosh]] allowed type designers to create types digitally using commercial graphic design software. Digital technology also enabled designers to create more experimental typefaces, alongside the practical fonts of traditional typography. Designs for typefaces could be created faster with the new technology, and for more specific functions. The cost for developing typefaces was drastically lowered, becoming widely available to the masses. The change has been called the "democratization of type" and has given new designers more opportunities to enter the field.
== Experimental typography == == Experimental typography ==
-* [[Visual poetry]]+Experimental typography is defined as the unconventional and more artistic approach to setting type. [[Stéphane Mallarmé]] was a pioneer in the late 19th century and [[Paul Van Ostaijen]] in the early 20th. Two art movements, [[visual poetry]] and [[concrete poetry]], extensively make use of typography. In the late 20th century, [[David Carson (graphic designer)|David Carson]] is often associated with this movement, particularly for his work in ''[[Ray Gun (magazine)|Ray Gun]]'' magazine in the 1990s. His work caused an uproar in the design community due to his abandonment of standards in typesetting practices, layout, and design. Experimental typography places emphasis on communicating emotion, rather than on legibility.
-* [[Concrete poetry]]+==See also==
-* [[Stéphane Mallarmé]]+* [[Punctuation]]
-* [[Paul Van Ostaijen]]+* [[Typeface]]
 +* [[Typesetting]]
 + 
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The so-called "Typographic pear", a calligramme which was published on the cover of Le Charivari of February 27, 1834, subverting the magazine's obligation to publish the condemnation by presenting the text in the form of a pear.
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The so-called "Typographic pear", a calligramme which was published on the cover of Le Charivari of February 27, 1834, subverting the magazine's obligation to publish the condemnation by presenting the text in the form of a pear.

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Typography (from the Greek words τύπος (typos) = form and γραφή (graphe) = writing) is the art and technique of arranging type in order to make language visible. Type design is a closely related craft, which some consider distinct and others a part of typography; most typographers do not design typefaces, and some type designers do not consider themselves typographers. In modern times, typography has been put into motion—in film, television and online broadcasts—to add emotion to mass communication.

Typography is performed by typesetters, compositors, typographers, graphic designers, art directors, comic book artists, graffiti artists, clerical workers, and anyone else who arranges type for a product. Until the Digital Age, typography was a specialized occupation. Digitization opened up typography to new generations of visual designers and lay users, and David Jury states that "typography is now something everybody does."

History

Typography traces its origins to the first punches and dies used to make seals and currency in ancient times. The uneven spacing of the impressions on brick stamps found in the Mesopotamian cities of Uruk and Larsa, dating from the 2nd millennium BC, may have been evidence of type where the reuse of identical characters were applied to create cuneiform text. Babylonian cylinder seals were used to create an impression on a surface by rolling the seal on wet clay. Typography was also realized in the Phaistos Disc, an enigmatic Minoan print item from Crete, Greece, which dates between 1850 and 1600 BC. It has been proposed that Roman lead pipe inscriptions were created by movable type printing, but German typographer Herbert Brekle recently dismissed this view.

The essential criterion of type identity was met by medieval print artifacts such as the Latin Pruefening Abbey inscription of 1119 that was created by the same technique as the Phaistos disc. The silver altarpiece of patriarch Pellegrinus II (1195−1204) in the cathedral of Cividale was printed with individual letter punches. The same printing technique can apparently be found in 10th to 12th century Byzantine reliquaries. Individual letter tiles where the words are formed by assembling single letter tiles in the desired order were reasonably widespread in medieval Northern Europe.

Typography with movable type was invented in 11th-century China by Bi Sheng (990–1051) during the Song Dynasty. His movable type system was manufactured from ceramic materials, and clay type printing continued to be practiced in China until the Qing Dynasty. Wang Zhen was one of the pioneers of wooden movable type. Although the wooden type was more durable under the mechanical rigors of handling, repeated printing wore the character faces down, and the types could only be replaced by carving new pieces. Metal type was first invented in Korea during the Goryeo Dynasty around 1230. Hua Sui introduced bronze type printing to China in 1490 AD. However, the diffusion of both movable-type systems was limited and the technology did not spread beyond East Asia.

Modern movable type, along with the mechanical printing press, is most often attributed to the goldsmith Johannes Gutenberg, who independently invented the technology in mid-15th century Germany. His type pieces from a lead-based alloy suited printing purposes so well that the alloy is still used today. Gutenberg developed specialized techniques for casting and combining cheap copies of letterpunches in the vast quantities required to print multiple copies of texts. This technical breakthrough was instrumental in starting the Printing Revolution and printing the world's first book (with movable type) the Gutenberg Bible.

Computer technology revolutionized typography in the 20th century. Personal computers in the 1980s like the Macintosh allowed type designers to create types digitally using commercial graphic design software. Digital technology also enabled designers to create more experimental typefaces, alongside the practical fonts of traditional typography. Designs for typefaces could be created faster with the new technology, and for more specific functions. The cost for developing typefaces was drastically lowered, becoming widely available to the masses. The change has been called the "democratization of type" and has given new designers more opportunities to enter the field.

Experimental typography

Experimental typography is defined as the unconventional and more artistic approach to setting type. Stéphane Mallarmé was a pioneer in the late 19th century and Paul Van Ostaijen in the early 20th. Two art movements, visual poetry and concrete poetry, extensively make use of typography. In the late 20th century, David Carson is often associated with this movement, particularly for his work in Ray Gun magazine in the 1990s. His work caused an uproar in the design community due to his abandonment of standards in typesetting practices, layout, and design. Experimental typography places emphasis on communicating emotion, rather than on legibility.

See also




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