Chapter 1 Reflection by Halle Burke

Chapter 1: The Evolution of Typography by Halle Burke

The first chapter of the book Typographic Design: Form and Communication by perfectly lays out in chronological order, from 3150 BCE to 2013, the history and evolution of typography. The design of this chapter was well formatted, very clean, and easy to understand. The layout of the timelines allowed me to learn about how typography has evolved over time. (1) While reading this chapter and analyzing its typographical images, I enjoyed looking at the very first image in comparison to the very last image. The first picture depicts the earliest form of writing documents- clay tablets. (2) These tablets were used as tokens for record keeping in 3150 BCE. As I looked at the image it was pretty difficult to decipher, as what is carved into the tablet is simply two dots and three verticals lines directly below. What I found interesting was how even though I could not understand what the token was depicting, it is very clear that back in 3150 BCE the people of the time knew exactly what it meant. This tablet was created before the invention of writing (which is one of our main forms of communication today) so it is fascinating to think that this pattern on a piece of rock was societies form of communication that very long time ago. Then when I looked at the most recent piece of design in the book made in 2013, there is a poster that is “Facebook ‘arcade’ signage.” (3) It is clear that this image was created technologically as it looks extremely animated. It is very colorful with text all throughout the sign. The difference between the typography in 3150 BCE and the typography in 2013 is absolutely unbelievable. To think that typographic design can change its meaning, visual appeal, and amount of detail blows me away.

   

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