Font art geekery - Page 18

Kevy Baby · 10-13-2011, 04:40 PM

I have a Bachelor's degree in printing ("Graphic Communication") and one of the classes I took was called "Design with Type." I learned all sorts of fascinating minutia about fonts. One of our assignments was creating a one sheet with a poem or some other text along with an image behind it. Besides the layout challenge, we had to use a system where the kerning was turned off and we had to manually code ALL of the kerning.

So far, I haven't had the patience to take the test GD linked to to see if I retained any of those skills.

Another mostly useless factoid I learnt was that in Postscript (and most proper vector-based typesetting protocols), the details of each character vary ever so slightly depending on the point size; this was demonstrated by outputting the same character (same font obviously) in a 6 point and a 72 point size, then blowing up the 6 point character to the same visual size as the 72 point character to display them side-by-side. When comparing, you would see where the stroke might vary, the transition of a crossbar was more filled in on one, etc.

Another assignment was programming in raw Postscript coding. While searching for a visual illustration of the font size difference, I ran across the image below. I remember creating an image exactly like the one on the left side of this image. EXACTLY!

Alex · 10-14-2011, 06:30 PM

89. If that's all that kerning involves and it can be done that well with about 8 seconds of effort on each one (I assume that's not actually the case) then typesetters need to stop proclaiming they've accomplished anything all that noteworthy.

Cadaverous Pallor · 10-14-2011, 08:19 PM

93. I completely blew one of them.

CoasterMatt · 10-19-2011, 10:08 AM

The Type Fight!

Gemini Cricket · 10-19-2011, 01:25 PM

Alex · 10-19-2011, 01:28 PM

The Type Fight sight isn't loading correctly for me so I'm not sure I am correct about what it is doing, but how does one decide which font is better without the context of a specific use?

Most fonts are good fonts for something (except comic sans).

Ghoulish Delight · 10-28-2011, 11:51 AM

Shape Type, way harder than the Kerning Game. I only got 71%.

Betty · 10-29-2011, 06:32 AM

I got 71% too!

Kevy Baby · 11-01-2011, 06:45 PM

The 8 Worst Fonts In The World

Kevy Baby · 12-07-2011, 10:31 AM

10-13-2011, 04:40 PM	#1
Kevy Baby Chowder Head Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Yes Posts: 18,500	I have a Bachelor's degree in printing ("Graphic Communication") and one of the classes I took was called "Design with Type." I learned all sorts of fascinating minutia about fonts. One of our assignments was creating a one sheet with a poem or some other text along with an image behind it. Besides the layout challenge, we had to use a system where the kerning was turned off and we had to manually code ALL of the kerning. So far, I haven't had the patience to take the test GD linked to to see if I retained any of those skills. Another mostly useless factoid I learnt was that in Postscript (and most proper vector-based typesetting protocols), the details of each character vary ever so slightly depending on the point size; this was demonstrated by outputting the same character (same font obviously) in a 6 point and a 72 point size, then blowing up the 6 point character to the same visual size as the 72 point character to display them side-by-side. When comparing, you would see where the stroke might vary, the transition of a crossbar was more filled in on one, etc. Another assignment was programming in raw Postscript coding. While searching for a visual illustration of the font size difference, I ran across the image below. I remember creating an image exactly like the one on the left side of this image. EXACTLY! __________________ The thing about quotes on the internet is that you cannot verify their validity. - Abraham Lincoln
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10-14-2011, 06:30 PM	#2
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	89. If that's all that kerning involves and it can be done that well with about 8 seconds of effort on each one (I assume that's not actually the case) then typesetters need to stop proclaiming they've accomplished anything all that noteworthy.
	Submit to Quotes

10-14-2011, 08:19 PM	#3
Cadaverous Pallor ohhhh baby Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Parental Bliss Posts: 12,364	93. I completely blew one of them. __________________ The second star to the right shines in the night for you
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10-19-2011, 10:08 AM	#4
CoasterMatt BRAAAAAAAINS! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: One Step Beyond... Posts: 8,802	The Type Fight! __________________ Do you like my photography? Visit photosbymatt.tumblr.com to purchase prints!
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10-19-2011, 01:25 PM	#5
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	80%
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10-19-2011, 01:28 PM	#6
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	The Type Fight sight isn't loading correctly for me so I'm not sure I am correct about what it is doing, but how does one decide which font is better without the context of a specific use? Most fonts are good fonts for something (except comic sans).
	Submit to Quotes

10-28-2011, 11:51 AM	#7
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	Shape Type, way harder than the Kerning Game. I only got 71%. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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10-29-2011, 06:32 AM	#8
Betty Kicking up my heels! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Silver State Posts: 3,783	I got 71% too! __________________ Nee Stell Thue
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11-01-2011, 06:45 PM	#9
Kevy Baby Chowder Head Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Yes Posts: 18,500	The 8 Worst Fonts In The World __________________ The thing about quotes on the internet is that you cannot verify their validity. - Abraham Lincoln
	Submit to Quotes

12-07-2011, 10:31 AM	#10
Kevy Baby Chowder Head Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Yes Posts: 18,500	__________________ The thing about quotes on the internet is that you cannot verify their validity. - Abraham Lincoln
	Submit to Quotes