Elements of Typographic Style

Elements of Typographic Style, 179-197 (The State of the Art).

What is Unicode? What is included in it? What are some of its standards?

Unicode is the first version of a standard set of characters. The alphabet increases to 2¹⁶ = 65,536 characters. Unicode is embedded in computer operating systems. Major digital founders have started using it as the new encoding standard. It forms a basis for a global Latin alphabet and for Arabic, Chinese and hundreds of other scripts.

Give an example of a manual, random, and programmed variation in type. What is the difference?

Manual variation has extra glyphs for certain characters. This means that after a certain character a extra glyph is automatically added. Random variation is when the designer’s chosen variants are randomly added. Programmed variation is when the glyph-selection rules are added into the font itself.

What is the difference between a bitmapped and Postscript/TrueType font?

Bitmapped fonts are defined by simple additions and subtraction of pixels. Postscript/TrueType font use the spline to interpret the letterform.

How does printing influence type? List several way working with the printer can help type's appearance.

One way working with the printer can help type’s appearance is if you do not set up margins correctly. This will cause some of the type to be hidden or cut off if not done correctly. The margins need to be calculated after the binding is chosen. The type of ink and ink gloss can also make the type also affects the typography.

In the last page of the chapter, it says "One good typeface is better and more useful than fifty thousand poor ones. Here as always, good means several things." Explain this statement (without directly copying from the book).

This means that the typeface has been carefully chosen and designed. We should make sure that when we use a specific typeface it gets the same care and respect the designer intended it get. Making sure the right glyphs are used and the kerning is used correctly. It needs to look as good as what the typography created it for.