On Web Typography Chapters 1-3

Chapter 1 . How we Read

This Chapter begins with with the thought of just what exactly are we doing right now? Obviously, the answer is reading the passage that my eyes scan over. However, though I may be reading this with my own eyes, the thoughts that flow in my head may be different compared to another person who also reads this very passage. The chapter relates this idea to typography itself- in that it is a chain reaction of time and place, with you as the catalyst. We are what give multiple meaning and purpose to the text. Reading is something that engages the mind. We do it on a daily basis .This chapter focuses on talking about what circumstances affect our reading. Readability, length, what we are surrounded by, what we are doing, all contribute to our reading experience. Our eyes do not read linear, but more so in saccades and fixations. Saccades are the leaps that happen in a second as our eyes move across a line of text while fixations are the pauses between them. We as typographers have a greater impact on society and how things are seen and read than we think. The differences in text, like caps lock and spacing make all the difference for individual readers.

Chapter 2 . How Type Works

Chapter Two introduces us with the basic statement that there are no rules in typography. I find this kind of hard to believe... while there may not be any rules, there's certainly a better direction to choose to follow compared to other forms of irregular structure. However, it is given point taken that typography has no rules because- well, all that we can really do is try our best to show our ideas and our messages in the best possible way we can. Typography is a way to convey our message to people in the form of imagery. There must be a balance between beauty and utility. According to Karen Cheng, there are over fifty thousand typeface families in the world. And that's not counting all the free fonts that people make on their own. It briefly mentions about how typography has evolved in the web world- utilizing CSS to create imagery and 'fancy' up the words. Most importantly, in order to create good type one has to understand it and become familiar enough that they can discuss it. Basic principles are something you want to have under your belt for sure.

Chapter 3 . Evaluating Typefaces

Type is a tool. Things to remember are typeface and font. Typeface is the name for the design in full, while the font is the format for that design. You also have to remember the different kinds of classifications like sans serif, serif, slab, script, and so on. To refresh the memory you also want to notice crossbars, shoulders, finials, ascenders and descenders, counters, stems, and so on. Don't forget the ear and spine! Typography has so many aspects to it, one doesn't realize until you see it up close and personal. You have to be aware of what kind of texts you use, as there are multiple differences and characteristics contributing to text itself.