Letters and words are everywhere. In fact, types are present in almost everything we do–from traffic signs, billboards, packaging of products that we buy from the supermarket to brochures and office memorandums. As graphic designers, we we are the ones who decide how these texts and words will look like in our brochures, packaging designs, billboards and so on. Thus a better understanding of typography and how to use it in our designs is beneficial to every designer.
But what is typography, by the way? Technically speaking, typography is the and technique of arranging type and modifying type glyphs, using a variety of illustration technique. The arrangement of type involves the selection of typefaces, point size, line length, leading, adjusting the spaces between groups of letters or tracking and adjusting the space between pairs of letters or kerning.
Does this explanation help? If not, then here are 10 websites and blogs to make ourselves familiar with and educated about typography so we could use types more effectively in our designs.
1. I Love Typography
So, iLT is designed to inspire its readers, to make people more aware of the typography that’s around them. We really cannot escape type; it’s everywhere: on road signs, shampoo bottles, toothpaste, and even on billboard posters, in books and magazines, online … the list is endless, and the possibilities equally so.
2. Typography Served
Powered by the world’s leading online platform for the creative professional community, Behance Network, Typography Served showcases quality creative work in the field of Typography. Like other Served sites of Behance Network, this site aims to deliver only the best typography works taken from projects and portfolios of the most talented creative people and teams around the world.
3. TypeNeu
TypeNeu is a visual inspirational resource for all things new in the field of typography. Tagged as an odyssey in typographic culture, TypeNeu was founded in Januari 2008 and have ever since reported and added to the typographic culture. Behind the concept, the design and the development of TypeNeu is the digital designer Emil Olsson.
4. Typographica
Typographica is dedicated to providing reviews of typefaces and type books, with occasional commentary on fonts and typographic design. Edited by Stephen Coles, who also authors The FontFeed and The Mid-Century Modernis blogs.
5. Font Lover
Fontlover.com showcases current trends in typography and also make good reviews of interesting typography projects. Started in 2000, it is however, disheartening to know that it might soon close its doors. I am hoping though that the authors of this site will continue what they started in another format or blog brand.
6. Thinking With Type
This site is the on-line companion to the book Thinking with Type: A Critical Guide for Designers, Writers, Editors, & Students, by Ellen Lupton (Princeton Architectural Press, 2004). The book includes essays, examples, and practical guidance that does not appear on this site.
7. Font Design & Typography
This is a collection of tips, explanations, DIY how-tos, and editorials concerning font design, typography, Typography on the Web, and clear communication with type. The tools of choice are InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, and FontLab.
8. For the Love of Type
A blog dedicated to typography. Includes showcases of exemplary work in the field of typography as well as reviews of design trends and news or events on this topic.
9. Font Feed
FontFeed was introduced in September 2009 as a standalone blog dedicated to typography. It specializes in providing a daily dispatch of recommended fonts, typography techniques, and inspirational examples of digital type at work in the real world.
10. Upscale Typography
Upscale Typography features useful typographic tips, new releases, pre-release notifications, historic references, trends and everything else typographic. This site is administered by an independent type foundry whose mission is to produce sophisticated multilingual open type fonts for the discriminating designer.(bdo)
No comments:
Post a Comment