Calligraphy & Typography

7 years ago, I started my calligraphy journey. After few months, I came across the word 'Typography' and my curiosity to know about it increased. Actually I was more curious to know how it is related to calligraphy or how much difference these two terms actually have. I think most of us have the same question. So I started with this blog.

Both typography and calligraphy are based on nicely designed letters. These both terms in English comes with Greek roots as follows:

Calligraphy : Kallos(beautiful) & graphe(writing)

Typography : typos(impression) & graphia(writing)

There is slight differences between typography and calligraphy. To understand , you should know the definitions of each term; you should know what they are used for and how they are created.

Calligraphy is a style of writing, and typography is the technique of using predesigned letters in graphic design.

In simple way to put it is that, Typography is computer generated and is based on preset typefaces, whereas calligraphy involves manual handwriting. 

In pre digital era, different techniques likes woodblock printing, metal font molds were used for typography. Calligraphy involves use of inks and calligraphy tools to create expressions on paper.

As calligraphy is a gestural art, it incorporates more variation in form than typographic writing which is made mechanically and often within narrow technical constraints.

Typographers have to consider an endless array of different letter combinations and design the type accordingly to ensure that no matter the layout, the individual alphabet characters will meld together beautifully when stung together to create words or phases.

Graphic designers usually work with typography simply because they have to involve fonts and typefaces to transmit a message.

Calligraphers rarely illustrate the whole alphabet from A to Z. They illustrate messages or put together words with the individual letters, eventually editing the final result digitally. 

One difference which I observed is if 2 person having access to same typeface, font or mold can create similar impressions. On other hand, 2 people having same tools and techniques can't create exactly same expressions on paper. calligraphy is more on an individual piece of art.

But all letters and characters - handwritten or typographic in form - have been designed by someone, and are a means of artistic expression.

Reference
https://www.designyup.com/
Wikipedia
https://www.bl.uk/history-of-writing

- Rupali Thombare 

Legibility & Readability

Great typography happens when you arrange text or copy on a page and make it both legible and readable. Although, 'Legibility' and 'Readability' both relate to the ease and clarity with which you read any particular setting of type, but they actually refer to two different concepts. To explore this difference, it is important to understand that legibility is a component of readability. 

Legibility is the measure of how distinguishable individual character to the eye of reader; whereas readability is the measure of how easy it is to read the text overall.

Legibility is related to the design of the typeface and the shape of the glyphs, while readability refers to how the font is arranged, or typeset. Both are important when setting text.

"Legibility" is based on the ease with which one letter can be told from the other. 

"Readability" is the ease with which the eye can absorb the message and move along the line. 

- J. Ben Liberman "Types of Typeface"(1968)  

Harnessing readability and legibility on the web will help you create content that offers a better user experience for your leads and customers.

Readability is a responsibility shared by both copywriter or content writer and the designer. While creating legible text typically lies solely on the designer and developer in digital material.

LEGIBILITY

Legibility refers to how a typeface is designed and how well one individual character can be distinguished from one another. 

Its also important to keep in mind that different typefaces were designed for different uses.

The legibility of a typeface is a product of its design and relates to the ability to distinguish one glyph from another when reading.

Factors contributing to the typeface's legibility are as follows: 

• x-height
• Character width
• Weight
• Design traits
• Stroke contrast
• Counters
• Serifs or lack thereof

In addition, many professionals believe that what you read most, you read best. Therefore, in the U.S., where running text in books, magazines, and newspapers is typically typeset using serif text fonts, readers are most comfortable and familiar with them and therefore find them more legible. By contrast, sans serif fonts may appear more legible to audiences in countries where they are more commonly used.

Keep in mind that not all typefaces are designed to be legible. This is more of a consideration for text designs, where the degree of legibility relates directly to holding the reader’s attention for the length of the copy. Display designs are generally used for fewer words in larger sizes, where the objective is to attract a reader’s eye and to convey a mood, feeling, or message. In this case, legibility might not be of primary consideration.

READABILITY

Readability creates better reading experiences.

Readability is about the reader - the ease with which a reader can successfully decipher, process and make meaning of the text read. 

It is about arranging words or group of words in a way that allows the readers eye to access the content easily and in a way that make sense. Its really an art form that is honed over time as successful combinations are found.

Readability is how the type is arranged(or typeset) and therefore is controlled by the designer.

Factors affecting type's readability are as follows:

• Type size
• Type case
• Line spacing(or leading)
• Tracking
• Kerning
• Alignment
• Line length(or column width)
• Color or contrast

Since these readability factors are chosen by the designer, not inherent to the text, even very legible fonts may lack readability when set in certain ways. In addition, not all factors affecting readability are equally significant.  For example, although generally speaking, smaller type size is harder to read, you may be able to improve a font’s readability by setting it slightly smaller, but with wider line spacing.

So, for a successful business both legibility and readability are equally important. If the legibility of your fonts are crystal clear; but content presentation quality is poor - your customer won't read it. Similarly, if the readability of your copy is compelling and on point; but lost in physically difficult to read typography - your customers can't read it. If readers find it an effort to read and navigate your text, your business can wind up lost for words.

Reference 
https://creativepro.com
https://anchordigital.com.au/

- Rupali Thombare

Typeface vs. Font

For most people these days, the terms 'Font' and Typeface' are often used interchangeably.- Dave Sedgwick

Typeface vs. Font is a debate. When talking about typography, the terms Typeface and Font tend to get mixed up and used almost as if they are synonymous. Often, the two words are used interchangeable and is doesn't present as a problem. However, when analyzing the two on technical level, you will find that these terms have, in fact, distinct definitions. But, at the end of the day, one has to wonder if the distinction really matters today.

The main difference between 'typeface' and ' font' is that the former exists as part of the latter. 

A typeface(or type family) is the name of a specific collection of related fonts. Whereas, font refers to a particular weight, width, and style within that typeface.

We chose a typeface because of its common aesthetic qualities. Then we refine it down to a specific font by setting its properties such as weight, widths and etc.

For example 'Helvetica' would be the typeface chosen for a project, but the actual font in use might be Helvetica Regular 9 point.

The word 'font' is becoming more common over the years. The reason we focus on fonts today is largely as a result of desktop publishing and word processing applications, which have a 'Font' menu. When you click on it, you get a list of typefaces to hose from and from there you set the specifics of the font.

Currently, the distinction between these two terms is confusing, unnecessary and even a little bit old fashioned. However, it's important to mention that, in specific contexts, it can be critical. Knowing difference can play a significant role not just in the area of Type Design, but also in Product Design, product Engineering and even Web Design.

If you want to express yourself precisely it is important to distinguish between the two terms - Brini Fetz

It can help you to get specific when talking about a change in a particular font, without affecting the whole environment and display.

Reference : 

https://snowball.digital/blog
https://www.creativebloq.com/

- Rupali Thombare

What is Typography?

When I started learning about calligraphy, I came across the term  'Typography'.

And I started searching more about it through Internet and books.
The word " Typography" in English comes from the Greek roots typos(impression) and graphia (writing).

Typography is the art  and technique of arranging letters and text in a way that makes the copy(written language) legible, clear, readable and visually appealing to the reader.

Typography expresses hierarchy and brand presence.

Typography also may be used as an ornamental and decorative device, unrelated to the communication of information.

Typography the reader can comprehend and understand , is based on certain fundamental principles. This title discusses the typographic elements, the micro aesthetic qualities of letters, numbers and punctuation marks, lines and geometric elements and their diverse applications.

Type is all around us, in everything we read, from product packaging in the grocery store to television commercials, from greeting cards, books and magazines to movie credits and storefront signs. Type and printed matter communicate not only information to us but also influence decisions we make on a daily basis. Whether  we realize it or not, type and the way it appears affects which CD or book cover catches our eye, which detergent might make the whites whiter, and which movie might be the scariest or most romantic. Much of this process process goes on unconsciously, which is why the art and craft of typography is so invisible to the average person. But its unseen nature by no means diminishes the importance and influence type has on the quality and substance of our daily lives.

Typography is the work of typesetters(compositors), typographers, graphic designers, art directors, manga artists, comic book artists, and now, anyone who arranges words, letters, numbers and symbols for publication, display or distribution from clerical workers and newsletter writers to anyone self-publishing materials. 

Until Digital age, typography was a specialized occupation. Digitization opened up typography to new generations of previously unrelated designers and lay users.

- Rupali Thombare