2. In This Chapter, you’ll learn on:
Text Terminology
o Fonts
o Typeface
o Alignment
o Leading
o Kerning
3. The Terminology
The following list of definitions will help you know what to look
for when comparing shapes in letterforms.
Counter
The white shapes inside the letter. Duplicating a letterform
accurately calls for close attention to both the white and the
black shapes. When drawing a letterform or designing with
one, think of yourself as drawing the white shapes.
Serif
The stroke that projects off the main stroke of the letter at the
bottom or the top. Letters without serifs are called sans serif.
4. Type Size
Type size is measured by points. A 72-point type is 1 inch high,
for example, as measured from the top of the ascender to the
bottom of the descender..
x-Height
The height of the body of a lowercase letter like x or a. It does
not include ascender or descender. The x-height will vary in
typefaces even though the point size is identical. This makes
different typestyles of the same point size appear larger or
smaller. Type size is measured from the top of the ascender to
the bottom of the descender.
5. Ascender
The part of the lowercase letter that rises above the
body of the letter. The letter a has no ascender, but
the letter b does.
Descender
The part of the lowercase letter that fails below the
body of the letter. The letters a b c d e have no
descenders, but the letter g does.
6. Typeface
Style of lettering. Most typefaces vary a great deal,
when you develop an eye for the differences. Each
family of typefaces may contain variations like italic and
bold in addition to regular, or roman.
Font
A font is a specific size and variation on a typeface.
Baseline
The line that the typography sits on is called a baseline.
7. Stress
The distribution of weight through the thinnest part of the
letterform. It can be easily seen by drawing a line through the
thinnest part of an o and observing the slant of the line,
Alignment
Alignment refers to the shapes of the text block in relation to
the margins. Most software programs allow left alignment
(sometimes called flush left), right alignment (sometimes
called flushed right), center alignment, justified alignment and
force justify alignment.
8. Leading [Line Spacing]
Leading is the vertical space between lines of type. It is measured
in points and is expressed as the sum of the type size and the
space between the two lines. Generally, it is at least the size of
the type. Type with a generous amount of space between lines is
said to have open leading and type with relatively little space
between lines is said to have tight leading. Some software
programs, including all desktop publishing programs, allow users
to adjust leading.
Extra leading aids body copy a great deal by making type look
more open and friendly, less daunting. Too much leading makes
it hard to 'jump' from line to line.
9. Kerning
Kerning refers to adjustment of the space between
characters, especially by placing two characters closer
together than normal. Kerning makes certain combinations of
letters, such as WA, MW, TA and VA look better.
