History of Graphic Design Test 1

University of Texas at Austin. Carma G. class.

What does Blaise Agüera y Arcas argue regarding Gutenberg's type?

Used 3D imaging to analyse early printed works. He argues that Gutenberg didn’t use standardized steel punches and reusable matrices. Instead he used temporary matrices or elemental punches (for variation).

How does Paul Needham argue Gutenberg printed the Catholicon?

Was printed using 2-line metal composite slug plates rather than individual loose, re-settable movable types for each edition.

What did Gutenberg REALLY invent vs. what Meggs credits him with?

Gutenberg:Complete western system combining and adjustable hand mold to cast lead-tin alloy type, a adaptable wooden screw press, and an oil-based ink for printing metal type on paper and parchment.

Meggs says: Independantly inventing movable metal type, the adjustable type mold, oil-based ink, and the wooden printing press

Examples of movable type printing BEFORE Gutenberg:

Song Dynasty, China: Fired ceramic/clay and wood moveable type.

1150, Western Xia: Olderst surviving book printed with wooden moveable type.

1230, Goryeo Korea: Printed books using cast bronze moveable type.

1298, China: Wooden movable type and revolving type-sorting tables.

What did printers in Italy contribute to European book style?

Roman/humanist typefaces, introduced structural features (title pages, page numbers, alphabetical indexes)

Define "Printing"

A matrix (or combo of) used to transfer ink/pressure to produce multiple nearly identical copies of a text or image. (cylinder seals, stamps, coins, rubbings, cattle brands)

Define Typography

Printing using independant, reusable, movable type set into composed frames. (gutenberg bible)

Relief vs Intaglio

Relief: Ink on raised surface (easier and cheaper, less pressure)

Intaglio:Ink pressed into carved or etched grooves (copperplate engraving)

Why were medieval manuscripts so expensive?

Materials and Labor. Parchment or vellum required animal hide. Hundred of hours of skilled manual labor.

Five ways modern English books echo medieval manuscripts

1. The codex format (bound pages with recto/verso layout)

2. Word Spacing (separate words for faster reading)

3. Typographic Hierarchy (dropping down in scale from large initial to medium headings and small body)

4. Mise-en-oage rules (proportional page layout grids and margins)

5. Two letter cases (capitals for headings/names and lowercase for main body)

Majuscules vs minuscules

Maj: Roman capitals. Formal authority.

Min: Lowercase. Personal, informal.

Meggs and Asia

Attributes paper soley to China and claims movable type was “never” used widely in Asia. Also says that Chinese is non-alphabetic, unwieldy logography.

Primary purposes of Bronze Age writing

1. Administrative and Tax Records

2. Legal & property contracts

3. Ownership identification & anti tampering

Writing System Classifications

• Logography: Glyphs represent whole words

• Abjad: phonetic script with distinct letters for consonants (omits vowels)

• Alphabet: Phonetic script with distinct letters for both consonants and vowels

• Abugida: Base symbols signify consonant & default vowel pairings.

• Syllabary: Glyphs represent full syllable sounds

Writting directions

Chinese, Japanese, Korean: top to bottom then Left to right

Hebrew/Arabic: right to left

Greek/Latin: left to right

Hieroglyphics: direction the animals face

Monogenesis vs Polygenesis

Mono: Writing was invented in one location and spread

Poly: Writing was invented independently in several regions

Writing vs proto-writing

Writing: Structured visual code

Proto: Marks, counts, or isolated pictographs that record data

Why do definitions matter?

They shape historical biases, and dictate where and when major milestones are recognized.

What are the Dots and Lines for in Paleolithic cave art? (we think)

Lunar calendar tracking the reproductive cycle of prey animals.

Archarological site in Serrania de la Lindosa Colombia

8 mile long mural of rock art from the Ice Age (resembles a systematic visual record)

Jiahu symbols found in Henan, China are from what time?

6000 BCE

Serekh

A royal crest that used phonetic symbols to represent the name of a pharaoh

Blau Monument

Thought to record specific agricultural and ownership details

The 3D record keeping system of knotted strings used by the Incas is:

Quipus (or khipus)

Where did spoken language likey originate?

Southern Africa

What did Meggs say about Writing and civilization?

writing was a prerequisite or a cause that “brought ppl the luster of civilization”