Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
Display type:
Large and/or distinctive type intended to attract the eye. Specifically
designed to be viewed from a distance.
Em:
Typographic unit of measurement derived from the set width of the square body
of the uppercase M. An em equals the size of a given type; i.e., the em of 10-point
type is 10 points. An en is half an em.
Font:
The physical attributes needed to make a typeface.
Kerning:
The adjustment of space between two individual letters to ensure overall
visual balance across a single word.
Leading:
The space between lines of type measured from baseline to baseline. It is
expressed in points and is derived from metal type printing when strips of lead were
placed between lines of type to provide line spacing.
Legibility:
The ability to distinguish one letter from another due to characteristics in-
herent in the typeface design.
Lowercase:
Small uneven letters derived from handwritten forms that evolved
between the eighth and fifteenth centuries. sometimes called 'minuscules'. The term
'case' comes from type cases used in the printing industry, which held the metal type.
Measure:
The lengths of a line of text expressed in picas.
Pica:
The measurement for specifying line lengths. One pica is 12 points or 4.22mm.
There are 6 picas to an inch.
Point system:
The measurement for specifying typographical dimensions. The Brit-
ish and American point system is 1/72 of an inch, or 0.35mm. The European Didot
system provides similar size values. The point size of a font is based on the height of
a printing block, not on the size of the lettering (this originally refers back to metal
type but now refers to the bounding box on digital type).
Readability:
The overall visual representation of the text or narrative. This includes
typographic, illustrative, photographic and other elements that are part of the overall
design.
Roman:
The basic letterform.
Sans serif:
A font without decorative serifs. Typically with little variation within
stroke thickness, a larger x-height and no stress in rounded strokes.
Script:
A typeface designed to imitate handwriting.
Semi serif:
A font with serifs on only certain parts of the letterform.
