Week 3 – The week of January 15th – 19th: Letter spacing: kerning, tracking & word spacing, a.k.a. Micro typography, part 1
In class
Lecture about basic typography. Letterpress influences for type terminology. Kerning large letters — done in teams.
BREAK
Lecture and Indesign demonstration for setting up your typographic work space in InDesign. Working with letter spacing, kerning, tracking and word spacing, line spacing in InDesign for small amounts of text.
In class assignment — Kerning, Letterspacing, Tracking & Word Spacing
Practice kerning at this site: http://type.method.ac until you can see the negative space between letters and feel comfortable with proper letterspacing.
Then download the Indesign document below and practing wordspacing on your computer. When you are done print it out and bring it to class next week.
Click here for the kerning practice Indesign file.
BREAK
Small feedback groups for all of your projects.
HOMEWORK
Part 1: Finish your design. Finesse your letterspacing and word spacing, if needed. Color print out working comp and a PDF file of your project are due next week.
Part 2: In a separate layer in your file, label what typeface classification your name belongs to and label aspects of type anatomy listed below. Print out an extra copy of your name with the layer of labels visible.
Typeface classification
Baseline
Median
X-height
Cap-height
Ascender height
Descender height
Mark the stress
At least 2 aspects of anatomy for each letter in your name.
READINGS AND LINKS
Required reading:
Microtypography Lecture, part 1 Letter Spacing (PDF file)
Letterpress Inspired Spacing Terms (PDF file)
Spacing
“How to” files:
Setting up your typographic space in Indesign (PDF file)
Kerning/Leading Key Commands (PDF file)
Kerning and Tracking — Entire Chapter 4 (Lynda.com)
In class assignment:
Practice letter spacing/kerning: http://type.method.ac (Site)
Week 1 - The week of January 1st
Week 2 - The week of January 7th
Week 3 - The week of January 14th*
Week 4 - The week of January 21st
Week 5 - The week of January 28th
Week 6 - The week of February 4th
Week 7 - The week of February 11th
Week 8 - The week of February 18th*
Week 9 - The week of February 25th
LECTURES
Type History & Type Classifications (pdf)
General Overview: Choosing Typefaces (pdf)
A Closer Inspection: Choosing Typefaces (pdf)
Subtle Details: Font Combinations (pdf)
Practical Advice for Chosing Typefaces (pdf)
RESOURCES
Letter Anatomy Cheat Sheet (pdf)
Letters Anatomy Definitions (pdf)
Creative Brief/Design Brief (pdfs)
Creative Brief AIGA sample (pdf)
Brainstorming Techniques (pdf)
Style/Concept Board Template (.indt file)
Elements of an identity dissected...
How to choose typography for a brand...
Kerning/Leading Key Commands (pdf)
Setting up typographic space–Indesign (pdf)
19 Top Fonts in 19 Top Combinations (pdf)
SITES OF INTEREST
16th Century Letterpress Printing
Typography that works: Ellen Lupton
Mood Boards: Dressing for different...
Wordmark (view your loaded fonts)
Typeface Design Resources & Tutorials
8 famous fonts and the designer who made them
LETTERERS
Jessica Hische and Erik Marinovich —
Title Case Video
TYPE DESIGNERS:
FOUNDERIES:
InDesign Typography (Lynda.com course)
Metrix Create Space Laser Cutter Specs