Notes from constructing a type area and grid
These extracts were very informative for layout terminology; head, tail, gutter, right and left fore edge, grid field etc. The layout that I've chosen for the weekly task is based on the Golden section: using the format of 3, 5 and 8 I calculated what my margins should be. I found this solved many of the issues I was facing with my page - not knowing how big the tail should be in comparison to the head etc.
Comparing two texts
List of found faults:
- Incorrect spacing of punctuation
- Italic has less contrast
- Begins with indent
- Hypens when it should be en-dash
- Too much spacing before start of a sentence
- Error in 'difficulty'
- Em-dash used when hyphen necessary
- Colour/greytone softer
- Rivers
- Apostrophes used instead of single quotations
Detail In Typography - Jost Hochuli
It was really eye opening to read this detailed extract on the inner working of the typography world. Something I tend to overlook due to the ease of technology nowadays. I viewed the comparitive task we were set before reading this extract; it was interesting how I immediately knew which one was wrong, without knowing why. This optical intuition is something that I'm becoming more aware of as a graphic designer; although we like to think we are free thinking artists, there's definitely mathematical, scientific ground rules that we obey.
Hochuli's explanation on leading was really insightful; the fact that it changes depending on the typeface's counters was really interesting, and that the colour of the text can also be influenced. Also just knowing how influential type layout is on the feel of the text is really empowering; how justified composition has a neutral tone, whereas unjustified is more dynamic. I'm excited to use these foundations within a more contemporary style.