Typography – Learning Activity – Designers Tea Party

What is typography?

The word typography is rooted in Greek and is made up of τύπος typos = «impression» and -γραφία -graphia = «writing». It is both the technique and art of arranging type to make written language legible, readable, and appealing to read. This include selecting typefaces, line lengths, line spacing and letter-spacing. Typography is also applied to the style, arrangement, and appearance of the letters, numbers, and symbols. There are different levels of typography, ranging from arranging single words to a whole layout.

The main purpose of typography is to display information, effectively and make it easy to read.

What is not typography?

Explaining what is and isn’t typography is confusing, I know the differences but I can’t explain it, at least not with in a sentence. I would say that typography is a technical art, it’s systematic, mathematic , where sending information is it’s main mission. Lettering, calligraphy, handwriting, letter carving etc. are visual art, where uniqueness, decoration and expression comes first and information is secondary, absent or up for interpretation.

Case study of Airbnb typeface: https://eyeondesign.aiga.org/airbnbs-new-typeface-is-a-case-study-in-unified-accessible-design/

A day in typography

I documented typography on the Sunday I traveled for winter break. bottom left are from some things lying around my room. Recently they switched up the train companies around here so I decided to compare GoAhead’s and VY’s menus. To the left is GoAhead and right is VY, right away I definitely like GoAhead’s menu, it’s very appetizing! I did take the night train and it’s may not be the busiest hours for the cafe wagon. I found my absolute favorite at my destination, Røros, in a gift shop, don’t know if it’s the sassy names or the typography, but it caught my eye from a distance.