The X-height is the size of the distance between the baseline and the top of lower case letters within type. Depending on the typeface the way the body is filled can change the x-height. The x-height in Sans Serif typefaces is typically larger because the ascender and descender aspects of the letterforms being smaller.
As a rule, the 'O' in type always sticks slightly above and below the x-height because optically it would look smaller s it was the same.
Readability:
- Changing the typeface can increase its' readability if it reflects the general mood of the words.
- It is a common misconception that capital letters increase readability, this is not true. If grammar is used correctly then readability is increased. It separates words and draws attention to specific areas of type.
- Kerning; the space between a pair of letters. This can increase readability by spacing the letters apart. I.e. 1958 and 1 958.
If you wanted the focus on the number 1, then you would do as above. The negative space around the number draws attention to it.
- If the type was reversed out (for example) it can go either way, depending on the content. Usually the tracking has to be increased when reversing out because optically the black creates less negative space around the letterforms.
-Increasing the tracking will create more space between a group of letterforms making it more open (or closed)- so can increase readability in that sense. You can also set the tracking for letterforms to overlap each other, purposefully decreasing readability.
Appropriateness:
Fonts can be descriptive of words. If the viewer has an understanding of popular culture (even without realising) then the type of font will successfully intensify reinforce its' meaning.
The well known site dafont.com is a good example of appropriateness. It categorizes different styles that reflect their heading. For example, I found this font in the category 'Destroy':
It successfully reflects the word 'destroy' because of what the word connotes. It conjures up imagery of rough textures, things being smashed and impact. All of which in my opinion are visible in this typeface. It is appropriate because the viewer can relate to this idea of destruction because the designer has incorporated the things that are associated with the subject they are trying to get across- it even heightens the message.
Layout:
Layout is key. A change to somethings layout emphasises different areas in a design.
For example, a manual needs large page numbers because the viewer will usually be referencing different languages, areas in relation to what stage they are at, and different problems with their product- it isn't a novel, they know where they need to be and don't need to read the whole thing. You must design appropriately to the content.
The Grid:
The design of a grid is also designed appropriately to its' content. For example a play scrip has a basic and specific design that enables the reader to read the type in the simplest way possible.
Above is the practical aspect of the seminar. We had to decide what the layout for the newspaper was through analysing different columns from different pages. This is what we came up with.
Below is another grid design for the magazine 'Private Eye'.
It is not as complex as 'The Guardian'. Perhaps this is because The Guardian has a much wider audience than Private Eye, so therefore has many different articles that this audience have to respond to. The layout aids in reinforcing the message of the article- they need the freedom to be able to make an image larger, or increase the size of a quote.
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