Developing an Awareness of Typographics Letterforms
نویسنده
چکیده
This paper examines the rôle of letterforms as a means of communication, starting with hand-set metal type and mechanical typesetting in hot metal. Present-day techniques of phototypesetting, and of digital typesetting, via cathode-ray tube and laser machines, are also discussed. Careful attention is paid to the cultural impact of these techniques, with particular reference to traditional French typefaces which often have small x-height and very thin hairlines (which can disappear at small point sizes). Reference is also made to the impact of each of these modern typesetting methods on both ‘informational’ and ‘cultural’ texts. A strong argument is presented that a nation’s typefaces encapsulate its national spirit and its culture. For this reason, it is regrettable that the advent of laser-driven imaging devices has brought with it an ‘anglicization’ of many fonts, via an increase in x-height, and a reluctance to countenance a non-linear variation of letterforms and set-width with point size — a characteristic so crucial to the readability of classic texts. A plea is made for the rapidly developing computer technology to be deployed in the interests of quality as well as quantity. Modern techniques have all the advantages of photographic sharpness but this must be harnessed to the traditional subtleties of the original typeface design if the intentions, and the cultural identity, of the typeface designer are to be truly respected.
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ورودعنوان ژورنال:
- Electronic Publishing
دوره 6 شماره
صفحات -
تاریخ انتشار 1993