ai: digitized wfs + reading response

READING RESPONSE
ON WEB TYPOGRAPHY
by Jason Santa Maria

• the @font-face CSS allows designers to link to any font file and use them for web
• brought up concerns on piracy
• Brave New World
• new challenges from being able to drop any text on the web
• problems with typefaces never meant for the screen
• problems with web type
• page sizes vary
• Context and meaning
• web designers need a deeper understanding of typography
• Georgia, Verdana and Arial are typically known as "web" typefaces
• do not have as much control for type on web than on print
• Picky, picky
• art of typography is choosing the right typeface that will fit the context
• reading is a personal and relative act
• now we only use simple serif and sans serif, not blackletter
• much of type comes down to contrast and form
• details of type from lines, stroke weights
• The Dead Drop Guide to Choosing and Pairing Typefaces
• focus should be legibility
• contrast
• when choosing pairing typefaces, it's important to tell there are distinct typefaces used/complement each other
• basics of body text
• body copy should work on smaller sizes, with a healthy contrast between characters
• typeface should have some personality, but not distracting
• read me
• high x-heights and strong character body keeps texts legible
• ex. verdana and georgia
• what's the message?
• use typefaces that match its message
• one sans, one serif
• easiest ways of creating a balance and contrast
• typefaces from same designer sometimes works well together to
• ex. Eric Gill's Perpetua and Gill Sans
• don't combine more than one display or script typeface
• use typefaces designed on similar principles
• ex. futura and bodoni (both use geometric forms)
• two divergent typefaces work too
• ex. baskerville and futura
• explore different styles
• choose a typeface with many weights
• to the library!
• many typefaces are associated with a time period
• ex. Trajan = romantic, epic, thriller
• ex. Blackletter = scary, dark
• money, honey
• nice typefaces will cost money
• the free ones do not work at smaller sizes and kerning is off
• trust your gut
• these are only guidelines, not laws

EXPLORING THE TYPOGRAPHIC WILD WEST

by Marty Maxwell Lane

• print and web typography are different - have different issues/concerns
• web typography does not work according to the rules of print
• typography as interface
• same principles apply to the web
• online typographic hierarchy operates as interface - letting your audience where they are and where they can go
• use limited range of typefaces and styles
• does it make your eyes hurt?
• brightened screens are harder to read
• improve legibility, more generous leading
• reduce contrast levels and choose appropriate typeface
• try shifts in tonality, working with shades of gray
• finding beauty within limitations
• web-sage typeface options are limited