History of Typography and why it matters?
Photo by @raphaelphotoch
What would the design be without the typo? In graphic terms, typography is considered as important as images and illustrations alone. Its influence is such, the change of font can give a different meaning to the message that you want to give in the design. Since the history of typography, it has known how to consolidate itself as the graphic art of letters and fonts.
So, let’s take a look at the importance of this art, and the current trends that invade typography.
About typography
Typography is described as the art and technique of composing typos to communicate a message, which was previously lead to creating print jobs. Likewise, typography also focuses on the classification of the different typographic fonts, which are one of the protagonists in the graphic world.
In such a way, a typographic font is an intermediary between the message that the issuer wants to transmit and the public. But also, it defines the style and appearance of a complete group of characters, which have characteristics in common, or what is also known as a typeface family.
Therefore, typography is not just a typeface creation technique, but a broad communication tool. And from the perspective of graphic design, it is a powerful transmitter of information and ideas, only visually, without even having its textual section, just thanks to the typography current trends.
History of typography
The first shreds of evidence of typography are considered to be the first lines engraved on the monuments of Mesopotamia, in the second century BC. At that time, prehistoric punches and dies were used to stamp letters or symbols in other formats, as a primitive form of printing.
Similar techniques have been found in the remains of Babylon, Crete, Ancient Greece, and Rome. And even, many of these old typographic styles are still valid today, such as the Times New Roman or Trojan Pro fonts.
But true typography, as we know it today, is born out of the revolution and creation of the printing press by Gutenberg. By this time, in the 12th century, hand lettering was the only mass writing technique. So it is not surprising only royalty and religious high commands had access to books since such a manuscript technique was slow and expensive.
It was not until about 1440, a German blacksmith named Johannes Gutenberg began his experiments with a machine that could create movable typos. This technique allowed making molds that would be used for the printing of individual letters, although this methodology had already been available in China for a few centuries.
This is how Gutenberg developed the printing press and the art of printing, an invention that would revolutionize the world forever. The success of this invention spread throughout Europe, until Erhard Ratdolt published the first catalog of types in the world, with Roman, Greek, and ornamental fonts. And to this day, the history of typography continues to evolve.
Typography current trends
Photo by @jannerboy62
It seems there is nothing more to invent than the printing press to make mass writing, and that the digital age has absorbed the creation of new types. But in reality, the typography is still as current and studied as ever. As new techniques continue to be invented, more types continue to develop and new trends continue to emerge.
Experimental fonts
One of the biggest typography current trends in the experimental style. This consists of an expressive and interesting style, with a lot of personality for modern design projects. And it can even include shapes, strokes, various colors, and animations, everything that creates a unique atmosphere for the viewers.
With this technique, the imagination of the creators can fly, to offer a unique and fun aesthetic.
Short and thick fonts
Another typography design trend is to represent a typeface of short stature, but with a wide stance. Therefore, the use of capital letters is predominant in this trend, and it is ideal for minimalist designs, in which the presentation of the message matters more than anything else.
It is also defined as an almost futuristic trend, in which the readability of short, high-impact sentences is the priority for the designer. It is also a trend used to give a serious, sober, and business image. So it is not difficult to see this technique on a day-to-day basis.
Handwriting style
This style is in vogue within web designers, as it has a very appropriate dynamism and jovial feel. In this case, this typeface style focuses on providing thick and rough characters, as if they were strokes made with a marker.
Special characters are also often included, such as long queues to finish sentences or symbols made by the designers themselves. Something that looks good in different color palettes, gradient and solid.
Your Brand, your business. Don’t just blend in.
Life’s too short to keep waiting.
Why typography design matter?
The requirement to find a typo that represents a message well is essential in the world of design. This is confirmed by the success of the typefaces of the most important brands in the world since we can all identify Coca-Cola just by looking at its font.
Graphic designers not only focus on colors, textures, and composition to create a high-impact message but also on the type that will be used to convey the message. It is not enough the font is understandable; it has to complement the graphic proposal and combine it with the visual aspect in an identifiable, universal and iconographic way.
That is why the study of typography design is so important for brands and companies, since they want people to identify their brand and message through a few simple letters. And all this, in conjunction with corporate colors, graphics, and images, is what provides an identifiable corporate image for anyone.
In conclusion, typography may be underestimated by the common person, but mastering the art of typography is much more important and essential in design than you may believe. So now you can see brands and companies differently, analyzing all the studies and processes behind the decisions that led them to choose their fonts.