Typeface Classifications

Typography and Layout

• Course: MMA 220 - Week 4

• Date: Feb. 10, 2025

Typeface vs. Font

• Typeface: Describes a particular style of lettering.

• Font: Refers to variations of a typeface such as its size and weight.

Basic Classifications of Typefaces

• Categories:

  • Serif

  • Sans Serif

  • Script

  • Monospaced

  • Display

• Usage Guidelines:

  • Serif and Sans Serif are typically used for both body text and headlines.

  • Script and Display typefaces are intended mainly for headlines.

  • Monospaced typefaces can be used in both display coding and as body or headline text.

Classifications of Typefaces

Old Style Serif

• Characterized by slight projections called serifs.

• Features:

  1. Diagonal stress (thin parts on a diagonal axis).

  2. Bracketed serifs (curved attachment between stem and head).

  3. Minimal contrast in strokes.

  4. Wedge-shaped serifs.

  5. Angled heads on serifs.

• Examples: Adobe Jensen, Garamond, Goudy Old Style.

Transitional Serif

• Includes serifs with more significance than Old Style.

• Features:

  1. Primarily vertical strokes.

  2. Vertical stress.

  3. Greater contrast compared to Old Style.

  4. Bracketed and oblique serifs.

• Examples: Baskerville, Perpetua.

Modern Serif

• Notable for its dramatic features.

• Features:

  1. Little to no bracketing on serifs.

  2. Vertical axis on curved strokes.

  3. Sharp contrast between thick and thin strokes.

  4. Ball-shaped stroke terminals.

• Examples: Didot, Bodoni.

Glyphic Serif

• Inspired by lapidary inscriptions.

• Features:

  1. Minimal stroke weight contrast.

  2. Triangular serif shapes.

• Examples: Albertus, Cartier Book, Newtext.

Grotesque Sans Serif

• Lacks serifs entirely.

• Characteristics:

  1. Spurred uppercase "G".

  2. Minimal stroke contrast.

  3. Older versions have more square curves.

  4. A double-story lowercase "g".

• Examples: Franklin Gothic, News Gothic.

Neo-Grotesque Sans Serif

• Modern take on grotesque fonts.

• Features:

  1. Enhanced legibility.

  2. Simpler design.

• Examples: Helvetica, Arial, Univers.

Humanistic Sans Serif

• Influenced by Roman-style capitals.

• Features:

  1. Higher legibility.

  2. Notable contrast among strokes.

  3. Calligraphic aspects in design.

• Examples: Gill Sans, Verdana, Lucida Grande.

Blackletter Script

• Based on formal handwritten calligraphy.

• Characteristics:

  1. Highly formal appearance.

  2. Strong contrast in stroke weight.

• Examples: Goudy Text, Monmouth, Engravers Old English.

Calligraphic Script

• Mimics hand-lettered calligraphy.

• Features:

  1. High contrast in strokes.

• Examples: Mistral, Vivaldi, Ballerino.

Casual Script

• Appears more informal.

• Characteristics:

  1. Brush-like texture with stronger strokes.

  2. Some letterforms may be connected.

• Examples: Brush Script, Bianca, Mahogany Script.

Handwriting Script

• Simulates casual contemporary handwriting.

• Features:

  1. Trendy and informal style.

• Examples: Blog Script, Pacifico, Cedarville Cursive.

Monospaced Typefaces

• Defined by equal width for every character.

• Available in both serif and sans-serif styles.

Display Typefaces

• Also referred to as decorative typefaces.

• Characteristics:

  • Wide variability in design, including both practical and novelty styles.

Typography and Layout

Course: MMA 220 - Week 4Date: Feb. 10, 2025

Typeface vs. Font

Typeface: Describes a particular style of lettering.Font: Refers to variations of a typeface such as its size and weight.

Basic Classifications of Typefaces

Categories:

• Serif

• Sans Serif

• Script

• Monospaced

• Display

Usage Guidelines:

• Serif and Sans Serif are typically used for both body text and headlines.

• Script and Display typefaces are intended mainly for headlines.

• Monospaced typefaces can be used in both display coding and as body or headline text.

Classifications of Typefaces

Old Style Serif

Characterized by slight projections called serifs.Features:

• Diagonal stress (thin parts on a diagonal axis).

• Bracketed serifs (curved attachment between stem and head).

• Minimal contrast in strokes.

• Wedge-shaped serifs.

• Angled heads on serifs.Examples: Adobe Jensen, Garamond, Goudy Old Style.

Transitional Serif

Includes serifs with more significance than Old Style.Features:

• Primarily vertical strokes.

• Vertical stress.

• Greater contrast compared to Old Style.

• Bracketed and oblique serifs.Examples: Baskerville, Perpetua.

Modern Serif

Notable for its dramatic features.Features:

• Little to no bracketing on serifs.

• Vertical axis on curved strokes.

• Sharp contrast between thick and thin strokes.

• Ball-shaped stroke terminals.Examples: Didot, Bodoni.

Glyphic Serif

Inspired by lapidary inscriptions.Features:

• Minimal stroke weight contrast.

• Triangular serif shapes.Examples: Albertus, Cartier Book, Newtext.

Grotesque Sans Serif

Lacks serifs entirely.Characteristics:

• Spurred uppercase "G".

• Minimal stroke contrast.

• Older versions have more square curves.

• A double-story lowercase "g".Examples: Franklin Gothic, News Gothic.

Neo-Grotesque Sans Serif

Modern take on grotesque fonts.Features:

• Enhanced legibility.

• Simpler design.Examples: Helvetica, Arial, Univers.

Humanistic Sans Serif

Influenced by Roman-style capitals.Features:

• Higher legibility.

• Notable contrast among strokes.

• Calligraphic aspects in design.Examples: Gill Sans, Verdana, Lucida Grande.

Blackletter Script

Based on formal handwritten calligraphy.Characteristics:

• Highly formal appearance.

• Strong contrast in stroke weight.Examples: Goudy Text, Monmouth, Engravers Old English.

Calligraphic Script

Mimics hand-lettered calligraphy.Features:

• High contrast in strokes.Examples: Mistral, Vivaldi, Ballerino.

Casual Script

Appears more informal.Characteristics:

• Brush-like texture with stronger strokes.

• Some letterforms may be connected.Examples: Brush Script, Bianca, Mahogany Script.

Handwriting Script

Simulates casual contemporary handwriting.Features:

• Trendy and informal style.Examples: Blog Script, Pacifico, Cedarville Cursive.

Monospaced Typefaces

Defined by equal width for every character.Available in both serif and sans-serif styles.

Display Typefaces

Also referred to as decorative typefaces.Characteristics:

• Wide variability in design, including both practical and novelty styles.