Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
The Evolution of Typographic Technology
7
The invention of typography has been called the beginning of the
Industrial Revolution. It is the earliest mechanization of a handicraft:
the handlettering of topics. Typographic design has been closely
bound to the evolution of technology, for the capabilities and
limitations of typesetting systems have imposed constraints upon
the design process. At the same time, typesetting has offered creative
challenges as designers have sought to explore the limitations of the
available systems and to define their aesthetic and communicative
potential.
From hand composition to digital typography, it is important for
designers to comprehend the nature and capabilities of typographic
technologies, as this understanding provides a basis for a thoughtful
blending of design and production.
