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Type Basics:
Introduction to Typefaces
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Johannes Gutenberg invented
movable type around 1450.
Computer technology and
desktop publishing has
allowed unprecedented
access to printing.
This lesson focuses on the
use of fonts for information.
There are different concerns
when type is used for design.
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
Images and other multimedia content used with permission.
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Type Basics:
Introduction to Typefaces
Definitions:
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Typography is the arrangement of text using a
combination of fonts, font-sizes, spacing and colors.
A Typeface is a set of characters including uppercase
and lowercase alphabetical characters, numbers,
punctuation, and special characters. A single typeface
contains many fonts, at different sizes and styles.
A Font is a set of characters in a specific typeface, at a
specific point size, and in a specific style. "12-point
Times Bold" is a font — the typeface Times, at 12-point
size, in the bold style.
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
Images and other multimedia content used with permission.
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Type Basics:
Introduction to Typefaces
Three basic Typeface Categories:
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Serif Fonts
Sans Serif Fonts
Special Fonts
Fonts
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
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Type Basics:
Introduction to Typefaces
Serif Font Characteristics:
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Serif is a French term
Small lines used at the ends
of a main stroke of a
character of type (feet)
Helps make type readable
Used for body copy in print
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
Images and other multimedia content used with permission.
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Type Basics:
Introduction to Typefaces
Sans Serif Font Characteristics:
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“Sans” is French for “without”
Block type font used for
headers and sub-headers
Good for web. Not enough
pixels on the screen for serif
fonts to be readable.
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
Images and other multimedia content used with permission.
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Type Basics:
Introduction to Typefaces
Characteristics of some special fonts:
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Script Fonts: Difficult to read.
Use sparingly.
Decorative Fonts: Good for
design, but not good for lots
of information.
Dingbats: Symbols used for
special characters.
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
Images and other multimedia content used with permission.
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Type Basics:
Introduction to Typefaces
Font Styles – also called Font Weights:
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Book – regular width
Bold – heavy emphasis
Black – heavier emphasis
Italics – light emphasis
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sometimes called Oblique
Narrow – use sparingly
Wide – only for headers
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
Images and other multimedia content used with permission.
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Type Basics:
Introduction to Typefaces
Besides serifs there are
more parts to fonts:
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Ascender
Descender
Cap Height
X-Height
Counter
Stem
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
Images and other multimedia content used with permission.
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Type Basics:
Introduction to Typefaces
Fonts Measurements:
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Points: 72 points per inch
Picas: 6 picas per inch
There are 12 points per pica
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
Images and other multimedia content used with permission.
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Type Basics:
Introduction to Typefaces
Vertical Positioning:
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Subscript: Slightly smaller
than the rest of the font, set
below the baseline
Superscript: Slightly smaller
than the rest of the font, set
above the baseline
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Images and other multimedia content used with permission.
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Type Basics:
Introduction to Typefaces
It’s time to make your own typeface!
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Use the paper
provided to draw
a rough sketch of
your own font
Choose whether
it will be Serif or
Sans Serif
Create numbers,
uppercase and
lowercase letters
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
Images and other multimedia content used with permission.
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