Chapter 6 Summary: Connor Posey

Chapter 6: The Typographic Message

Connor Posey

The typographic message is conveyed in two ways: educationally and visually. The person is educated as to what the message is and also a visual beauty is also encountered if done correctly. Type can be used in many ways. It can be used to educate, persuade, inform, and entertain.

A strong example of a clear and visually pleasing typographic message in this chapter are the words ping and pong. Not only do the words audibly please when spoken together out loud, but the letters “p”, “o”, and “g” all represent visually the curves and roundness of the ping pong ball. The letter “E” was also shown how effective it can be when placed in certain words. In the word peel, the back of the “E” itself was peeling off. And the “E” in splinter was splintered apart. If the overall form of the letter directly relates to the word it is trying to communicate, the overall optical experience is heightened. Also, the clarity by seeing a visually and symbolic representation of the word helps get the meaning across much more clearly. Visual substitution is also talked about in the chapter. Now, instead of distorting letterforms, the letters are completely substituted by visual objects and symbols. For example, if the word Ping-Pong was following this rule, the “O” in pong may be replaced with an actual image of a Ping-Pong ball. Placement is another way to contribute to the typographic message. If I was typing the word falling, I may put the letters lower and lower on the layout to contribute to the message. This chapter also covers monotype, Ludlow, hardware, and phototypesetting to help describe how the message can be altered through text and alternative devices. As type changes and new equipment is being produced to create new type, designers must be aware and always be on top of the game in order to best share their messages with the public visually, clearly, and, most effectively, both at once.