What is typography?
Q: What is typography?
A: Typography is the practical art of arranging how the printed word appears on a page. It includes not only letters, but all the set of symbols in a font, and it also includes the overall design of a page or document. It applies to any medium which may be read, including text on computer screens.
Q: What influenced typography in the 20th century?
A: Typography in the 20th century was greatly influenced by Modernism and the modern art movement, information about effectiveness of typography and design, and development of modern computer technology.
Q: What are some traditional aims of typographers?
A: Traditional aims of typographers would be to produce a page that is legible and attractive to read without being obtrusive. For display typography such as advertising, it must be noticed before it is read.
Q: How do commercial sources provide information about effectiveness of typography?
A: Commercial sources provide information about effectiveness of typography by comparing sales results before and after a book or magazine redesign. Typographers themselves carry out mini-experiments to test alternatives as an extension of scientific method for what is at heart an artistic process.
Q: Who were some early printers who were also considered to be typographers?
A: Many early printers were themselves considered to be typographers since they designed typefaces, selected fonts, and designed layouts for pages and books.
Q: What example was given regarding how effective redesigning can increase sales?
A: An example given was that when they redesigned the typography on the jacket for Roget's Thesaurus "nearly doubled" its sales.
