We started today's session with a recap of our last typography workshop session- looking at our kerned forename and surname (sans serif and serif), separating a sentence onto two lines and the hierarchy of text of our proverb/song lyric. Moving on with larger sections of text- working with columns of text and paragraphs.
We placed text into four columns on our A4 landscape page and ensuring that the text would fit the column by adjusting the point size- the original 10.7pt, and then going on for each column to decrease by 1pt, and increased the leading amounts for it to fill the columns.
FUNDAMENTAL KNOW-HOW: Print looks very different to the screen version. ALWAYS print out a test print.
This understanding is essential for Graphic Design practice- the publication/print to which text is applied is also a fundamental consideration- for example, a magazine pt size will be larger than a novel's at it is generally read at a further distance.
"9 on 11"- abbreviated term for, eg. 9pt/11 heading
When leading is not altered an "auto" measure will be specified by the software. However, when we printed our example of the text columns above, none of us chose the first as the most readable- additional leading is needed. However, the fourth has too much leading, and as a consequence does not look like a body of text- consideration is needed.
NOTE TO SELF: Find specific fonts with small and large x-heights for measures and manoeuvrability with body copy- a smaller x height will naturally give the appearance of larger leading- this can dramatically change the effect of how the text is read and visually communicates.
Automatic leading is usually, for example 2pt larger-
9pt/11pt, 10pt/12pt, 11pt/13pt, etc.
We then dropped the first column from our previous document into a new ten-column document- the text body copy fit to one, two, three, and four column spacing.
We found the third most comfortable to read- with a minimum of six words on a line. However, in broadsheets this is commonly found, but in a tabloid newspaper this is more relaxed- as this text isn't academic (usually) it doesn't need the extra width with unnecessary space for conjunctives and "longer" words.
The fourth column demonstrates a column too wide and, frankly, daunting. The average word length on a (novel) page is twelve. Going above this become too much to read. Again, the font, pt size and leading will also determine changes in the sentence's word length and the body copy in general.
RULE: NO LESS THAN 6 WORDS ON A PAGE, NO MORE THAN 12.
Also consider the audience of your text- this will affect the body copy and layout.
A good designer creates work for the client and what fits the needs of the audience.
- Standard pt size for booklet/leaflet = 8.5/9pt
- Standard magazine pt size = 10pt
The point size deemed for reading text for the entire community is 14pt- inclusive (12% of the population have sight issues- 14pt is the size that most can read with sight difficulties).
TYPE IS MULTI- FACETED IN TERMS OF AUDIENCE
-Show consideration in type, as it makes a huge impact on your audience-
In the afternoon session, we moved on with our paragraph work, and developed further. Once again, we took a section of body copy and fit to the left hand column (9.2pt/11.04pt).
We then chose another typeface with a smaller x-height to see how this would alter the negative space in the common. I chose Baskerville Old Face, again, still in 9.2pt/11.04pt but it was really interesting to see the variation in the typeface size, despite the point size remaining the same.
I will definitely build up a stock of typefaces and experiment with evaluating x-heights and their appropriateness for publishing and editorial work.
Copying the first column over to the second, we deleted the paragraph breaks and increased the pt size (as you may have to for a specific audience). As a result, the type looks daunting and unapproachable to read. Without the paragraph breaks you can't distinguish the subject breaks/paragraphs- indentation is needed.
NEVER use both paragraph breaks and indentations at the same time.
A TAB SPACE = 1CM
(For indentation)
The minimum amount of characters you will ever have at the end of a paragraph is three characters (two letterforms and a full stop- e.g 'at.', 'on.', 'it.'
Even with indentation (we chose 3mm to ensure that we make best use of the grid/column space) the paragraph breaks is still a far more desirable option for reading.
Going on to fit an image around the body copy (type) in a new two-column document- altering my point size and leading to 9.38pt/11.4pt)... with the full image... (scaled to fit the grid column).
We then worked with making the image as large as we could, yet still accommodate all of the body copy on the page. Wrongly, I went straight on to enlarge the image- though I learnt the first thing to do is to concentrate on the type to ensure it is still readable, but as small as possible. Also, I should have taken away the paragraph breaks and added tabs indentations.
The second exercise of the image exercise- admittedly, I don't think it's great- image should be larger, typeface should be smaller- possibly have page breaks for more legibility- need to try more griding work!
IMPORTANT NOTICE IN GRIDS: Everything needs to be geometrically aligned/structured geometrically.
We then discussed the power of negative space in layouts and grid design- making the design far less visually intimidating- a far more contemporary design.
NOTE: JUSTIFIED TEXT REDUCES THE LENGTH OF THE COLUMN
Another example of a manipulated layout- again, I think it looks a bit too boring- need a more exciting variation of type- pull quotes/text, a header, better use of white space, too dense at the moment.
NEED TO WORK ON MY LAYOUTS!!
