The Subtleties of Letterforms: Chapter 2 Reflection

In Chapter 2, a concept I found really interesting is how the smallest change makes a considerable

difference in how we, as the reader, perceive type. Several of these elements—like contrast in stroke weight and proportion—are things I never paid much attention to before becoming a design student. However, these small changes have a significant effect on how we understand the words around us on a day-to-day basis.

In Figure 2-15, we are being instructed on how expanding or condensing a typeface can critically change the stroke-to-height ratio and the amount of area the words take up on the page. However, I also noticed how my perception of each word varies. The expanded ‘PROPORTION’ comes across as important; almost urgent. The condensed ‘PROPORTION’ feels sleek and corporate, like a logo.

This chapter (and class) has helped me to really empirically

analyze the typefaces I would have otherwise considered myself fairly familiar with. A page that really made me think was page 38 in Chapter 2. On this page, the reader is asked to compare various type. I was specifically struck by the exceptionally subtle differences between Garamond and Baskerville, i.e. the change in width and stroke weight contrast. I doubt I’d ever considered these small distinctions in the past.

As embarrassing as it is to admit, I have seriously underrated the importance of the x-height until now. The diagram on page 41 (Figure 2-33) really made it clear to me just how essential this simple part of the letterform is to our perception of the letter. To me, the extra large x-height denotes a child-like quality, perhaps because of its increased readability. Oppositely, the extra small x-height seems formal, like something you’d see in a Bible.

The subtle nuances of type will elude me no more. It turns out when it comes to typography every drop of ink counts.