Chapter 16

1. One family of type is Transitional type. This family is characterized by smoother transitions from different stroke thicknesses, stress put on the vertical axis of the letters, and serifs that are thicker and and less horizontal than the preceding family of modern type.

    After the transitional type family there was a period of modern type. This family has severe transitions in line thickness and feet that are skinnier and more horizontal. Modern type does however maintain the stress on the vertical axis that is found in the Transitional family

2.  Decorative or novelty type is type that is separated into is own category because it is hard to classify. This could be type that look like a children’s handwriting or balloons. These can be used on specific occasions that tie into the novelty of the type.

3.  Serifs are feet on each letter in a particular type face. Serifs were originally used on letters to mimic the chisel marks made when carving type out of stone.

4.  Sans Serif is used to describe type faces that have an absence of serifs, or feet on the letters.

5.  Kerning is the adjustment of the space between each letter in type, and is used to allow letters to be more evenly spaced. An M might have more width then a u so the kerning can be adjusted to compensate for the difference.

6.  Leading is the amount of space between each row of characters in type. Using leading can allow different type on a page to appear to belong together or be read together.

7.  Pixelation can occur when using type in new design because of curves. Any time curves are represented using digital square pixels pixalation can occur. My type faces heavily use curves so this can be an issue. This is why many times in digital design we will use modern or square, sans serif types, because they are affected less by this.