THE 2013 COMPENDIUM

Table of Contents

Anatomy of Type Understanding Anatomy Form/Counterform Counterpart and Counterpoint Typographic Kinetics Structure of Letters Typographic Page with a Chair Le Corbusier Chair Studies

Anatomy of Type

Anatomy of Type Understanding Anatomy

Individual letter forms have unique parts which have changed in visual form over the centuries. A nomenclature helps identify major elements of their construction. The evolution of lettering styles over time is a result of optical adjustments to the basic components by type designers over the ages.

There is a large range that exists between historic families of serif and san serif type and the only two anatomical attributes that they share is the base line and stroke. This is why the designer should never mix type families because the spacing and height will not coincide. The only exception to this rule is when the designer needs to achieve contrast.

Antagonism
Descender Crossbar Terminal Serifs Loop Fillet Link

Capline Meanline x-height Baseline

Antagonism Antagonism Antagonism Antagonism

Antagonism Antagonism Antagonism Antagonism

Ascender

Counter

Hairline

Spine

Shoulder

Stem

Apex

Bowl

Ear

Anatomy of Type Understanding Anatomy

Anatomy of Type Form/Counterform

When covered the top half of the word is much more legible. When I remove a majority of the bottom parts of each letter I found the word still legible.

Fundamental to all typographic design is the interplay between letterform and background. An awareness of this inter-relationship of form and counterform is essential in typographic design. Every letterform denes a particular counterform. Form and counterform are reciprocal values and

The counterform is not just whats left over in the background. The counter form is a new entity that emerges through interaction with the form. Typically these counterforms are either geometric or organic in quality depending on the structure or style of the letter. In the counterforms of letters there exists a fascinating world of form waiting to be explored by the designer.

Antagonism Antagonism Antagonism

completely interdependent and integral to a letters completeness as a design.

N
N

Anatomy of Type

Anatomy of Type Counterpart and Counterpoint

E3 F7 R2 G9 Z6 B8 X1 T4

E3 F7
Denotes counterpoint Denotes counterpart

Anatomy of Type Typographic Kinetics

Anatomy of Type Structure of Letters

Every letter has a personality you can identify. Fragmentation is not the goal in and of itself. Every thing is adjustable and its a case-by case decision of how far to go.

The form you seek is one that to be able to read the word. So this determines the degree of fracture. Its the part(letterform) towhole (word). Both must be juggled to value. You cant use the same element over and over just because it worked in one place. Every example should change somewhat. Because range is a persistent goal of design, you want to invent in each example. Expect some noble necessary part of any assignment.

The most elementary forms of letters are a visual code of simple strokes that is recognizable through our experience with handwriting. Each of the upper and lower case letters is distinct in structure. All are built by combining vertical, horizontal, slanted, and curvilinear strokes. Letter forms derive their character from combinations of these basic strokes and not from being light or bold, wide or narrow, Roman or italic, sans serif or serif. An entire alphabet can be categorized using only six basic underlying visual combinations of strokes as the example illustrates.

EFHILT

fjilt

KMNY VWX AZ

k yvwx z

BDGJPRU CSOQ

abdghmnpqru ecos

Typographic Page with a Chair

Le Corbusier

Using the initials of your disigner, impose the letterforms in a typographic study that interprets a relationship to the form of the chair they designed. The goal is to discover relationships in form and division of space. Then, using the designers name, the name of the chair, and the date of its manufacture, impose the words in a typographic study that demonstrates relationships to the chair.

Charles-douard Jeanneret-Gris, better known as Le Corbusier born October 6, 1887, was an architect, designer, painter, urban planner, writer, and one of the pioneers of what is now called modern architecture. He was born in Switzerland and became a French citizen in 1930. His career spanned ve decades, with his buildings constructed throughout Europe, India, and America.He died on August 27, 1965.

Size & Case

Size & Width

Size & Weight

Weight & Width

Weight & Slant

Size & Weight

Weight & Face

Size & Slant

Size & Width

Size & Case & Weight

Size & Tonality

Color & Case & Weight

Colophone

Designed by: Stefhan Alvarado Course Title: Design & Typography Date: November 2013 Fonts: Universe