Please
create a 100-200 word response to the video. Please comment on concepts that were of special significance, that are new to you, that you agree with, or disagree. Feel free to provide examples (visual or textual) that you may have run across.
I
do not expect summaries of the readings but instead reflection about
how the concepts and information can be used in the classroom or in
graphic projects.
Place reflection here.
Place reflection here.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the examples used in the video and the knowledge used to demonstrate the points. With regard to the CV assignment assigned to us, I now have greater direction with what I would like to focus on. I found the notion of giving space for thinking around the mental associations of benefit with regard to the use of a typeface. This is something that I will focus on with regard to the impression I want to create with my CV. I will also give consideration to whether or not I can use the typeface effectively in all areas of my CV, as some are better served for headings, others are designed for use in headings and running text. If I choose a different typeface for headings to running text I need to consider the impact that this has. Do the two different typefaces complement each other, do they work together, and do they support the impression that I want to make.
ReplyDeleteGood points. It is not whether it is readable but whether you want to read it.
DeleteI enjoyed watching this presentation. I was originally one of those people who would have asked, “what font do you suggest? “ or “what font is best?” Each situation where font is used is different. After watching the video and thinking about my resume I have realized I need to pick better fonts for my body and titles. When I make projects I always play around with fonts to try to choose the best one. However, I need to do the same for writing projects like my resume. I enjoyed Jason Santa Maria’s presentation because he made it clear that you do not need to be a professional at typography. A person just needs to “know just enough to be dangerous.” I also never thought of when types were created. It never crossed my mind to think of when a font was made to make sure it wasn’t made decades after the image on a given portrait. I think this video was beneficial and it gave me an insight to think about the typography I choose.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking to Ashley's point, I was really impressed with the concept that a font's history plays an important purpose in the type element of design. Personally, I recently used Baskerville for my CV. I felt that it portrayed confidence, and it was simply a nice design. Upon further review, I found out that the font was made in the late 18th century. As it turns out, that font traditionally results in a higher number of people agreeing with the material being discussed compared to the other fonts available. Therefore, if I stated that I was the best looking person at Ohio University, a higher number of people would agree with me under this particular font compared to something like arial. Haha! Therefore, the font doesn't necessarily convey confidence, it commands it from its viewers.
ReplyDeleteI was also inspired by his discussion on space--not specifically with the text itself, but the length of the lines and the amount of space available around the text. In my CV, I felt compelled to fill as much space as possible, but as it turns out, this isn't necessary. It can be quite distracting to the reader. The best option is shorter lines, more compact information, to make it easier for the reader to move along the lines without losing their place or getting distracted.
I also was inspired by the idea that using the same font over and over can be a good thing. Obviously, if one was to create their own magazine, such as the New Yorker, a rigorous use of the same font should be expect. But as a designer, the idea that one shouldn't be afraid to stick with what they know is novel. I always thought that each new design should be different. I guess font can become a part of your signature design layout. I hope I conveyed that concept well enough.
This was a great video, I thought.
Honestly, the idea of going into in-depth discussions about fonts bores me to tears. Personally, I look for aesthetically pleasing fonts when designing materials and instruction. That having been said, this video actually managed to hold my attention. The speaker had a way of making the topic interesting. Coming from my work perspective, I think of the idea of using the same font on products as “branding”. We ensure that all similar product lines use the same labels and fonts. The New Yorker example really drove this home and made me feel more confident about the work that we do. I do not think I will ever be at the point where I am constantly analyzing fonts in everyday life, but at least I will be paying attention to it for the next few days.
ReplyDeleteI feel like the topic of typography often bores people who are unfamiliar with it. They question what the purpose of it is, and just stick to choosing what looks good to them. However, what if Comic Sans looks good to them? It may be good in some contexts, but in most situations, that's design suicide.
DeleteThere is more to choosing types that "look good", and it all depends on context and situations. What are you using the type for? The video does a great job in demonstrating many different examples and the subtle differences of types. The types that we choose become a passive in a reader's mind, and while we don't pay attention to the type, our brains are.
Are fonts like clothes? Do they define your character or demonstrate your personality? We choose our clothes carefully based upon where we are going. Our font choices should be carefully chosen as well.
DeleteI also thought the video was going to be rough listening about fonts. However, Santa Maria also kept my attention. The video also made me think about fonts a little more. I was checking out fonts this week when I went to different places. I will try new fonts instead of using the same old basic font when typing. Even though I may not be typing anything important, it may look more important if I choose a different font.
DeleteI like the question are fonts like clothes. I think they communicate a message just like what we choose to wear. When I redesigned my CV the thing I focused on was the message I wanted to achieve with the font. Lol, not sure I achieved it but I think it does it better than the previous font used.
DeleteGoing into the video, I had a general idea of typography and how types affect design. I fell into that area that he speaks about, “knowing enough to be dangerous”. After watching the video, I realize now that there was a lot more consideration and thought that can go into what types you choose, especially with how a reader interprets and retains content.
ReplyDeleteI have always loved the type “Verdana”. I have found that it is easy to read, and aesthetically pleasing. He even points out that it is easy to distinguish similar letters with Verdana. However, there are so many types out there that are similar while achieving different things and saying different things. I realize I shouldn’t be using Verdana for everything I create, especially when my goals differ, whether it is for an essay, a CV, or a design title.
One more thing I’d like to say. I’ll preface that I don’t like Comic Sans or Papyrus. However, I have to wonder how a type because “ugly”. Ugly is a subjective word, he says “no type is born evil”, and there are “no rules”. So what about “ugly” types make them so universally hated and ugly?
Maybe ugly is not the correct word for Comic Sans or Papyrus but they do seem to be commonly misused. I think Comic Sans is used many times like beach wear at a wake...just inappropriate. As far as Papyrus it is very difficult to read but often times used when someone wants to be fancy but in reality just makes an unreadable document. There are other reasons I think it is not the best font like the x height is not proportional to the height of a cap but that is another story.
DeleteYes, yes, yes! This is a great talk/presentation on font usage and decisions. Not just on fonts but visual communication in general and people’s lack of understanding about the intricacies of what a font can do for communicating to readers. Font choice is so often overlooked during the design process and typically saved for the last choice on a document or overlooked to the point that they simply let the system default font selection slide through to the final product.
ReplyDeleteCompanies and individuals are branding themselves every time something is written on the web or print products. From email, business cards, to websites you are conveying an image with typography that can easily make or break your entire presentation of the material.
This also seamlessly transitions into learning for students and the conveyance of visual information in the classroom. We discussed some of the guidelines of using PowerPoint last week and saw a great tongue-in-cheek example of what not to do. Font selection is exactly on the same level of importance for presenting in the classroom or designing instructional materials. If its not pleasing to the eye the students will not be interested in reading the material or learning it and committing it to memory.
Totally agree...this topic seems to be for a select bunch of type experts but the decisions on type really need to be adopted by the main stream.
DeleteJason Santa Maria provided an interesting overview of some of the main considerations a designer needs to make when creating new visual communications. He introduced himself as a font geek, a guru, and basically made it clear that his life revolves around thinking about and using type to convey information.
ReplyDeleteThat said, he also appealed to the novice. By breaking the work down into a series of thoughtful and rational considerations, he provided a fairly decent model that somebody who is relatively new to the process can access and understand. I will admit that I watched the presentation twice; he really loaded a lot into his time.
The Matthew Carter quote is worth remembering: “Type is a beautiful group of letters, not a group of beautiful letters.” This distinction helps to keep a designer on track in thinking about the overall appeal of the piece, how it looks as content on a page. And the idea that there can be something such as display face, text face and workhorse face reinforces this.
Santa Maria went on to outline a few rules of thumb regarding readability and perception (reads easily, looks aesthetically pleasing), and also a few rules about application (bigger is better, contrast equals emphasis, more color equals more line height), and the impact of kerning and leading on readability and character distinguishability.
Finally, he urges designers to develop a personal palette of fonts. The idea is that by using fonts that the designer is naturally more comfortable with he or she will create better work.
Yes!!! I can totally relate to being a font geek. Fortunately my obsession with collecting fonts only takes up virtual space. He referred to his favorite font and that made me wonder if I too had a favorite….. I’ll have to think about that. I love fonts, but I do appreciate and respect that font abuse can be a real problem. Simple and clean is more powerful. The art of typography can create and enhance the message of the text when used responsibly. He explained that there are no hard fast rules to creating good design, which is true of any creative process. But for the novice untrained designer, guidelines and rules are a good place to start. I look forward to adding some of these guideline in my own design skills. I really appreciated the elements he pointed out for the helvetica font toward the end of the video. The features he pointed out (with the red lines) really opened my eyes to what elements define a particular font. Finally, I think I will use his suggested strategy for choosing similar fonts (creating a list of font characteristics of an overused font) to avoid overusing a particular font.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more with following guidelines for the 'novice font selector/designer.' I know that I'm a novice in this field, and am interested in how I can manipulate type into making an effective, aesthetically pleasing piece of work. Looking into the Helvetica aspect of the presentation, made me realize the effort that goes into designing type.
DeleteI really enjoyed this presentation. It made me think twice about what font I'm going to be using for the remainder of my career. I have never really thought about how meaningful type could be when using it in an educational or professional environment. I believed and agreed with him when he said that type was an equal player in the learning space. Having a distracting type takes away from the purpose of the lesson, but a good fitting type adds to the strength of the lesson.
ReplyDeleteHim relating smell and food to look and type made me think. Having an attractive scent makes me want food more, and makes that experience better, and I couldn't agree more about how the look and type relates in that way.
Being able to package information in clusters, chunking the information helps learners keep information closer together and having that information specific to other relevant concepts or main ideas.
Jason Santa Maria’s presentation was thought provoking in terms of many aspects of the knowledge, understanding and use of typography in design. Designers and teachers usually do not care to find out in greater detail all the literature around typography. Mostly teachers are preoccupied with how to select codes, colors and imagery without putting typography at the center of the design process. It is no wonder that teachers and designers have all the beautiful fonts, images and colours to work with but still cause design blunders. This video stresses the importance of typography literacy as summed up in the video “type is a beautiful group of letters, not a group of beautiful letter”. A little knowledge of typography is dangerous to design.
ReplyDeleteSecondly the video brought to the discourse how graphic design pieces are decoded. Mostly, designs are made from the artistic view point without the output able to answer basic questions such as what a good or bad typeface is, how do people look at it, read it, and perceive it? This considerations are even very important when we design for the classroom and teaching and learning purposes. Here, the learner characteristics define all these variables and inform the designer’s choices. Also according to the video designers have to be knowledgeable and accommodate typography dynamics using a defined method for choosing typefaces. In the classroom children are sensitive to color, font size and contrast. The designer has a responsibility to make decisions that will address these needs of students if he wants to communicate effectively using typography.
Yes, well put.
DeleteBilly Kennedy
ReplyDeleteWeek 2 post
Professor Dreier
Typology
I found this video to be interesting. It helped me to realize the obvious. Until this video, I did not realize that there was an actual profession solely dedicated to designing type for print, websites, or even menus for that matter. I just assumed that you picked a type based off what you thought was nice looking. I had no idea that different fonts conveyed different meanings or messages. However, after hearing it, it all makes sense now.
Watching this video made me realize why certain fonts are used in certain situations over others. For example, anytime I write a paper or create a resume, I always use Times New Roman. Watching this video made me think, “why am I doing so”. Somewhere along the line Times New Roman became the standard for these certain situations. Times New Roman has become the educational industry standard.
When it comes designing courses I will now pay more attention to the font that I choose. I want a font that is easy to read, yet still looks nice, but is not so crazy or different that it takes away from the actual words on the screen. I now have an added step to my course design but I think that it will be beneficial to my students.
Perfectly said Bill! As part of my critique to education systems, I believe that education would have been far easier if book publishers followed these font guidelines and make the things they publish more readable.
DeleteI think the main thing I took from Jason Santa Maria's presentation is that there are no rules for type, rather principles. Although I believe this to be true, it makes it difficult for people who don't have any idea about why type is important. The notion that there are no rules leaves beginners without much to go on. As he continued to speak, it became clear that the principles to which he is referring are very subtle, so much so that you'd think most people don't pay attention to this stuff. The truth is that people are paying attention to it all the time, and it is making a tremendous impact on the way messages are communicated through type. For instance, when he was going over the "picky, picky" examples, discussing the subtleties of character spacing, line spacing, paragraph chunking etc.: these aspects of type make a huge difference on how effectively the message is transferred from writer to reader. If not done properly, the message will be lost, and who knows what the consequences of that could be? Essentially that could really damage someone's education if the type gets in between the reader and the information they are attempting to acquire. I think the take-away here is knowing what NOT to do. I also believe the old adage "form follows function" is worth mentioning. If at any time the type becomes a barrier to communication, both writer and reader will suffer the consequences. Beyond that, it definitely takes an advanced understanding of typefaces to know the more subtle messages that may be being transferred in the process.
ReplyDelete"If your type is bad, your design fails". It is amazing how Jason Santa Maria could drawn the intention to the importance of font in design! Having been used to 12 points Times New Roman font only, I have to admit that font is usually something I overlook in my web designs. As he said in the video, readability is not the ability to read literally but the ability to see and enjoy what is typed in order for it not to be odd. The double hyphenated sign in New York was a perfect example. The video was a great resource to know that there are guidelines and best practices for web typography.
ReplyDeleteI found Jason Santa Maria's presentation to be a fascinating journey through the history, strategy, and techniques associated with good and thoughtful use of typeface.
ReplyDeleteA few of the big takeaways for me were centered around being cognizant of what the purpose and role of the typeface is, or in Mara’s words, to not let the typeface “get in the way.” I think he is spot on when he shares that “if type is bad, then the design fails”, a reality I have seen time and time again in both print and web design.
I felt really challenged to consider how to think about user response to my type choices, to aim for the “desire towards readability” that Maria proposes. As he shared his design examples, I got a much better perspective on how much context plays into typeface choices, whether it’s for a museum commemorating those lost in 9/11 or a website promoting a fashion show. Type matters, and Maria’s passionate plea to not take the lazy route encouraged me to strive towards an “invisible” typography that serves the design and the consumer and applies an aesthetic to communicate the power of your message.
Some of the tips were really helpful, including the nuts and bolts of design that he shared (choosing a workhorse text, aiming for simplicity, and the crucial role of bigness and contrast). I had never taken the time to consider the limitations initially placed on web-designers with embedded text, but Maria’s enthusiasm for original typeface in the online sphere made me see that it truly is an exciting time to be designing for a digitally connected world.
To further your point about the invisibility of good typography, it's interesting how this logic plays out in all facets of good design. In a nutshell, it seems like the purpose of good design is to be invisible and to let the content shine. Bad design on the other hand distracts from the message you're trying to convey (unless you're ironically trying to make a point!)
DeleteNot to be cliche but that is true in most points of life. Politics -make up. Maybe it doesn't make you the most popular but certainly the most effective in most cases.
DeleteThis video is very interesting. It made me think of how back in years,in our grade classes, we used to compete for a good handwriting. I think this applies to what the video says.
ReplyDeleteWhat makes it interesting to me is what it reveals on how people/companies have invested in typefaces/fonts. But still I get a question here: why most publishers would need Times New Roman fonts? Why is it set as a some kind of default font type? Why even many professors are so strict about using that as a font type for papers and assignment? When I look at it, it honestly does not beat many other types of fonts. I sometimes find that there are other fonts which appear more beautiful when comparing them with Times New Roman.
Anyhow, in design, the font type matters. If you want to impress people in whatever design you make, the font/typeface matters a lot. As he says: no typeface is born evil. It’s the designer who decides though which typeface to use.
Times New Roman was set as the go-to type for publishing back in the 1930s, specifically for newspapers.
DeleteWhat is so special with it that most academic publishers want it for a standard academic writing?
DeleteWatching this video reminds me a lot of playing the video game Type:Rider. I know I have mentioned the game before, but to me, it had the same effect on my learning: taking a subject that could have been boring and showing how fascinating it is.
ReplyDeleteI always knew that different fonts created different effects on the reader and produced different impressions, and nowhere was this more apparent than with my students. In every class I have taught, as soon as I mention we're writing essays, the first thing they do is find the curviest cursive and the brightest colors they can possibly write in. We always have to have a discussion about why we can't do that (it's hard on the reader, it looks informal, this is a formal paper, etc) and they usually ask me why they can use Times or Arial but not Corsiva or Comic Sans. This video and the game I have played both provide great background on this history of fonts. The next time my students ask, I'll make it a quest for them to find out and learn more about the history of visual type.
And if anyone wants to learn more about the history or why we use the fonts we use, play Ex Nihilo's Type:Rider. It taught me an entire history and had some of the most beautiful levels in a video game. It really shows that cross between words on a page and art.
Early on he states the typeface strengths the visual identity. I couldn’t agree more. I carefully think, and even sometime spend hours, choosing a typeface that is just as important as the actual visual design itself. Typeface is a form of design and needs to be properly balanced with the visual design being developed. There has to be a purpose to it’s existence, and just as colors compliment other colors, the same methodology can be applied to typefaces. What I learned from this video is how to explain why I’m specifically choosing whatever typeface I’m using for that design. So far, I’ve had a difficult time communicating verbally why I’m choosing that particular typeface, other than saying “trust me… I know what I’m doing”. So far it’s worked out me though :)
ReplyDeleteRecently I was asked to change some my eLearning lesson typefaces to Gill Sans - Light. I hated it. I couldn’t explain why though other than stating it’s difficult to read. It’s too thin. It just doesn’t work. Jason brings up various points throughout the video that could have helped me make a better argument, but the one thing he brought up that I didn’t even think about was the gray-scale hue of the type face. Gill Sans Light is thin and hard to see because the lighter gray hue that it possesses, combined with a white background visually impairs us (partially) to immediately recognize words conformed by that typeface, as in comparison to something bolder (or regular) and darker (blacker).
It’s an art to design, choose, and implement a great font, but I have to give it up to Jason on his artful way of communicating reasons and justifications behind designing, choosing, and implementing a great font. I feel like I enhanced my ‘typeface language’.
In reality it is "work" and many avoid that 4 letter word and settle for mediocrity at best.
DeleteThis video is another example of viewing our surroundings differently. Taking a second look and thinking more about what things around us a trying to tell us. Also, to implement these principles into things we use to communicate to others. Interesting pursuit of Santa Maria to continue to learn more and more about this field of knowledge. I had never thought about how expansive it is, but I’m just beginning to see. I’m already beginning to apply the knowledge I’m gaining at my work and how I view things around me. I’m beginning to think about what to include in my own “personal palette”. I really like the expression “imperfect precision”. I appreciate that Santa Maria was able to share some of his extensive knowledge in such a clear and easy to understand presentation. It helped me to focus in on the key points and suggestions and yet allow me to use my own imagination into the endless possibilities.
ReplyDelete“imperfect precision” such a great line.
DeleteThe most important take away from the video in my opinion is the importance of contextualizing font choices to a specific need. If I want to make a sign for the public that is very readable, then I should be using fonts that promote readability distinguishability such as Helvetica. On the other hand, I liked the example of that scrappy one-person designer shop using a font that is associated with high end designer writing in order to convey an air of confidence and achievement.
ReplyDeleteAnother big takeaway is that font choices will associate your text with certain preconceived notions. For example, if you're trying to be taken seriously, don't use Comic Sans. The New York Times conducted an experiment which found that Comic Sans text was considered the least credible among a basket of fonts, the most credible was Baskerville. http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/08/hear-all-ye-people-hearken-o-earth/
I plan on using this information to most wisely choose fonts for my assignments. Already, I had thought of font association when working on my CV. I chose Georgia because that is the same font used on the NYTimes website and so I wanted my achievements to be subliminally linked to the reputation of a "newspaper of record."
I like the way you explain different choices in fonts. The main question in font choices would be how we know our audience will like the font we used in whatever design. It is more or less similar to color preferences, in which people like different colors for no apparent reason. I think that the main thing is what you explained in your second paragraph, that "font choices will associate your text with certain preconceived notions." However, this idea makes me think that we are forcing our audience to think like everybody else, and to like what some other people, in the beginning, liked.
DeleteThanks Stephen for the article link. It is good to have some research to back up some abstract concepts.
DeleteFilipo, I believe there is a lot of latitude in choices but once the design or font is a stumbling block for learning it needs to be changed.
Delete