Anvardinov Jasurbek

-used to print books in larger quantities than had previously been possible

-the Bible was first complete book ever printed

invention of the printing press

the basics: typefaces categories & styles

• character:

an individual symbol of the full character set that makes up a typeface; may take the form of a letter, number, punctuation mark, etc.

• alternate character / glyph:

a non-standard (sometimes decorative) variation of a character that comes as an extra option with a font file.

the basics: typefaces categories & styles

• serif

a short line or stroke attached to or extending from the open ends of a letterform; also refers to the general category of typefaces that have been designed with this feature.

• Sans-Serif / Sans:

literally “without line”; the general category of typefaces (or an individual typeface) designed without serifs.

the basics: typefaces categories & styles

• italic

a slanted version of a typeface (slants from left to right); a true italic is uniquely designed, more than a tilted version of the upright (a.k.a. “roman”) typeface.

the foundation:position&spacing

• baseline

the imaginary line on which most letters and other characters sit.

• cap line:

The imaginary line that marks the upper boundary of capital letters and some lowercase letters’ ascenders (see Ascender definition in the next section).

the foundation:position&spacing

• x-height

the height of a typeface’s lowercase letters (disregarding ascenders and descenders)

• tracking / letter-spacing:

the uniform amount of spacing between characters in a complete section of text (sentence, line, paragraph, page, etc.).

the foundation:position&spacing

• Kerning:

the horizontal spacing between two consecutive characters; adjusting the kerning creates the appearance of uniformity and reduces gaps of white space between certain letter combinations

• Leading / Line-Spacing:

the vertical spacing between lines of text (from baseline to baseline).

the anatomy of letter

• stroke:

a single linear element that forms part of a character; may be straight or curved.

• stem:

the main (usually vertical) stroke of a letterform.

the anatomy of letter

• arc of stem :

a curved stroke that is continuous with a stem

• foot:

the part of the stem that rests on the baseline

the anatomy of letter

• descender :

a piece of a letter that extends below the baseline

• ascender:

a part of a lowercase letter that rises above the main body of the letter (above the x-height)

the anatomy of letter

• joint :

the point where a stroke connects to a stem

• apex:

the uppermost connecting point of a letterform where two strokes meet; may be rounded, sharp/pointed, flat/blunt, etc

the anatomy of letter

• vertex :

the point at the bottom of a character where two strokes meet

• crotch:

the inside angle where two strokes meet.

the anatomy of letter

• arm :

a horizontal stroke that does not connect to a stem on one or both ends.

• leg:

a short, descending stroke on a letterform

the anatomy of letter

• shoulder :

a curved stroke extending down from a stem

• bar/crossbar:

an enclosed horizontal stroke

the anatomy of letter

• cross stroke :

a line that extends across/through the stem of a letter

• bowl:

the closed, round or oval curve of a letter

the anatomy of letter

• counter :

an enclosed or partially enclosed area of white space within a letter; could be bounded by curves, strokes, or stems

• aperture:

the opening or partially enclosed negative space created by an open counter

the anatomy of letter

• double-story :

a type of letter that has two counters (as opposed to the single-story version, which has only one counter)

• terminal:

the end of any stroke that doesn’t include a serif; includes ball terminals (circular in shape) and finials (curved or tapered in shape)

the anatomy of letter

• swash :

a decorative extension or stroke on a letterform; may be part of a letter by design or available either as an additional glyph or as an add-on to the standard character

• ligature:

two or more letters that are connected to form one character; primarily decorative (the embellishment that connects the two letters is called a “gadzook”).