Chapter 2 Summary- Connor Posey

Chapter 2: The Anatomy of Type

This chapter covers the foundations of type, how they are created, why they are created with different sizing, stroke widths, and also the measurement system that goes into the precise workings of each character. Since the world of typography began with the hand written word, the basic form of typography lays on the line stroke that is created by hand. In some strokes of a letterform, the pen is pushed harder and therefore makes the stroke wider, whereas hairlines can be seen where a quick and light hand motion was enacted. The chapter goes over a couple key characteristics of the letterform. Ascenders are the vertical strokes heightening a letterform. Finials are the endpoint of a letter stroke. Serif is the stroke that exists on the end of the strokes of the lines that add to the letter and make them appear more refined and classic. Sans serif is just the opposite. Other parts the letterform include bows, stems, x-heights, eye, spur, vertex, etc. After computers and typed text became a thing, and now much more popular than written text, the typefaces have evolved drastically. With this, the typefaces have expanded into modern looks and forms.

And now measurements are not done with lead! It is done with points and picas. Depth is done is points and length is done in picas. This plays a huge role in the different versions of the typeface in its various font families. There is elaboration, making the text more unique. There are condensed, light condensed, bold, bold condensed, and expanded texts. These contribute to the mission of the message the designer is trying to bring across to the audience. Also, italics can be used as a device of emphasis and other various uses.

Type has many different aspects, and designers find it a challenge to combine each aspect into the type choices to best evoke their message to the audience. Type can make or break a layout, but with the correct combinations of family, size, style, and proportions, the text will contribute perfectly to the overall composition.