Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
The stylistic characteristics of decorative
and display fonts make it relatively easy to
differentiate between these typefaces. However,
identifying typefaces within the text category
can be more difficult. Looking for subtle
differences is often the only way of differentiat-
ing one typeface from the next. Here are some
guidelines to follow when trying to identify
a typeface.
Arial
A Hamburger fonts
Avant Garde
A Hamburger fonts
Futura
A Hamburger fonts
At first glance, these typefaces seem as though
they could be the same font, particularly if you
compare the uppercase “A's” on the samples
set in Arial and Avant Garde. However, there
are subtle differences:
Palatino
A Hamburger fonts
Georgia
A Hamburger fonts
•Lookingatthex-heightofatypefacecanoften
help to identify it. The x-height of the letters
in the Futura sample is smaller than those in
the Arial and Avant Garde samples.
Times New Roman
A Hamburger fonts
•Thelowercase“a”candifferfromonetypeface
to the next, as it does when comparing the
sample set in Arial to those set in Avant Garde
and Futura. When trying to identify a typeface,
looking at the lowercase “a” will often help
determine if there is a match.
Like the sans serif examples here, these
serif typefaces all appear similar when you
compare the uppercase “A's.” The differences
in these fonts can be discerned by making
some comparisons.
•Thex-heightofthelettersintheTimesNew
Roman sample is smaller than those in the
Palatino and Georgia samples.
•Whencomparingseriftypefaces,comparingthe
style of the serifs can help identify a font. The
Palatino and Times New Roman samples have
bracketed serifs, whereas the Georgia sample
does not. Bracketed serifs are slightly flared out
where they join the letter.
•Comparinglowercaseletterforms,especially
“g's” and “f's,” is a good way to note subtle
differences. Notice how the loop on the “g's”
descender differs between typefaces as well
as the form of the letter “f.”
Search WWH ::
Custom Search