Typography and Web Design Concepts

Cuneiform System

• A logo-syllabic writing system used in ancient Near East.

HTML

• Hyper Text Markup Language, the web's markup language, used to display text and images.

Bandwidth and Embedding

• Increased bandwidth allows for more embedded information.

Typeface and Font

• Typeface: A set of graphic characters that encompasses different sizes.
• Font: A collection of characters belonging to a single typeface size and style.
• Font/type size: Measured in points (1pt = 0.0138 inches or 1/72 of an inch).

Font Size and Dimensions

• Font size: The distance from the top of a capital letter to the bottom of a descender.
• Font is commonly used while typeface is correct.
• X-height: Height of a lowercase letter "x."

Ascenders and Descenders

• Ascenders: Letters with taller features.
• Descenders: Parts of a letter that fall below the baseline.
• Ascenders and descenders are crucial when determining text spacing.

Spacing and Line Leading

• Computer fonts automatically adjust space below ascenders for proper line spacing.
• Leading: Vertical spacing between lines, measured from the baseline; improved readability.
• Kerning: Spacing between pairs of characters.
• Unacceptable: When words are too close together.
• Awkward read: When words are too far apart.
• Posture: Types of fonts (straight or italic).

Kerning and Tracking

• Normal kerning: Round to Straight "Oh"
• Open kerning: Straight to Straight "hn"
• Tight kerning: Round to Round "Oo"
• Tracking: The spacing of characters in an entire text.
• Rasterizing: Converting text to visual symbols.

Font Style, Aliasing, and Anti-Aliasing

• Font Style: Adjustment from a regular font to condensed or expanded.
• Aliasing: The stair-stepping visual effect when resolution is low.
• Anti-Aliasing: Smoothing jagged edges in images; colors are averaged at the boundaries.

Serifs and Sans-Serifs

• Serif: Small lines or strokes attached to the ends of larger strokes in letters.
• Sans-serif: Doesn't contain these small strokes. Different font styles (e.g., used in headlines, body text, etc).

Design Perspective and Considerations

• Design Consideration: Select font based on message complexity and website.
• Presentation: Use bulleted points, large fonts, and white space for clear presentations.

Document Considerations

• Point Size: Measures from the ascender to the descender.
• Bandwidth: The speed of the internet.
• Styles: rounded letters are easier, use fonts that are easily readable on websites and mobile screens.

Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs

• System of pictorial writing, used in ancient Egyptian monuments.

This quiz covers essential concepts in typography and web design, including the differences between typefaces and fonts, font dimensions, and the significance of bandwidth in embedding. Explore the foundational principles that enhance text display in digital formats.