Typography Definition
Typography is the art of arranging type with the goal of making it legible, readable, and nice to look at.
Point Size
Point size has varied throughout history, but currently we use something called the DPP (or desktop publishing point), which is 1/72 of an inch, or about .353mm. Point size is measured to an imaginary box around all the characters and glyphs in a font called an em square.
Line Length
Line length is the width of the block in which the text is set. Narrow columns are generally faster to read, whereas wider columns are slower.
Leading
Leading is the vertical space between the baselines (the bottom of each text line) of successive lines of text. It’s also known as line spacing. Between 120% and 145% is commonly recommended. Double spacing is common place due to limitations of typewriters, but it’s not the ideal by any stretch. Zero or small leading attracts attention, which can be powerful. Generally, you should have greater leading for darker, thicker fonts.
Letter-Spacing
Also referred to as tracking, is a uniform adjustment to the spacing of a word or block of text affecting its density and texture. Letter spacing greatly affects readability.
Kerning
The adjustment within a font of specific pairs of characters to achieve more desirable visuals (for instance the em squares of ‘A’ and ‘V’ might be adjusted to overlap a bit to appear closer to one another, or ‘T’ and ‘o’).
Typeface
Typeface is also known as font family. A typeface is composed of glyphs which share common characteristics. Fonts in a font family can be defined by adjustments of all the prior features and other adjustments, creating terms like (bold, italic, condensed). Font is the size, weight, and style of a typeface. The two are now mostly interchangeable.
People who design typefaces are called Type Designers
Serif and Sans-Serif
Serifs refer to the small decorative features at the edge of letters. Fonts with serifs are generally considered easier to read for lengthier content. However, sans serif fonts are easier to read at small resolution. Serifs have a more formal, traditional feel, whereas sans serif fonts have a more modern feel.
Proportional and Monospaced
Proportional typeface contains glyphs of varying widths, and monospaced uses a single width for all glyphs. Most considered proportioned font to be more aesthetically pleasing and easier to read, but monospaced has its used.
Metrics
Baseline, median, cap height, descender height, and ascender height.
