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~sargeras

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Typography?

Journal Entry: Mon Aug 11, 2008, 3:43 PM
heres a definition to a word that gets bandied about a lot:

ty · pog · ra · phy

–noun
1. the art or process of printing with type.
2. the work of setting and arranging types and of printing from them.
3. the general character or appearance of printed matter.

note that in this rather narrow definition "type" means movable lead type, like they used in the olden days (1960's).

observe:

[link]

when did mushing together a bunch of words, letters and punctuation marks (often random ones) into recognizable shapes become typography?

14 Comments
  • Mood: Humor
  • Listening to: computers
  • Reading: the exile
  • Drinking: pepsi

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:iconcloxboy:
*Cloxboy Aug 11, 2008, 4:18:44 PM
When text becomes a mere "shape" in a piece of artwork and isn't at all readable or structured as type, I don't think that should be categorized as typography. What's your take?

This piece, the type can still hold significance as text: [link]

This piece, however, I wouldn't categorize as a "typography piece": [link]

--
Cloxboy's website: [link]
:iconsargeras:
~sargeras Aug 11, 2008, 4:25:48 PM
i see the clear distinction between the two, but i'd describe both as portraits that just happen to use type as elements.

on one hand i find your definition really appealing, as it's pretty inclusive but also draws a clear line. but on the other hand, to me, typography is all about kerning, leading, subtle tweaks to letterforms, swooshes and ligatures, and not illustration.
:iconcloxboy:
*Cloxboy Aug 11, 2008, 4:30:35 PM
Can you give me some examples of typography from DA under your definition?

--
Cloxboy's website: [link]
:iconsargeras:
~sargeras Aug 11, 2008, 5:27:03 PM
just pulling some out of the link i posted in the journal:

[link]

[link]

[link]

a lot of examples fall under the "words placed at a 30-45 degree angle" style, which i think technically fit, but are just beyond cliched.

of course there are a ton of things in other categories like posters and album art that have great typography as a part of an actual design. that's the real thing imo.
:iconcloxboy:
*Cloxboy Aug 11, 2008, 5:30:37 PM
I see. I think by definition you're correct. I doubt DA will recognize this. :/

--
Cloxboy's website: [link]
:iconblackcarrionrose:
=BlackCarrionRose Aug 11, 2008, 8:32:23 PM
hmm intriguing. I can't honestly say I know enough about it...but in a digital world, I think definitions are changing. There are people who still don't accept digital photography as art

--
"Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who only dream by night." - Edgar Allan Poe
:iconsargeras:
~sargeras Aug 11, 2008, 9:22:38 PM
yeah, its not really about what dA says or does. i just wish people had a better understanding or vocabulary or something. idle ranting lol
:iconsargeras:
~sargeras Aug 11, 2008, 9:24:34 PM
yeah its obviously not all about lead type these days.. i think you have a point there. photoshop has changed the meaning of the word photography, so maybe typography is more than just digitally doing what was possible traditionally. hmm
:iconcloxboy:
*Cloxboy Aug 11, 2008, 9:41:50 PM
I hear ya. Imagine if people started questioning the source(s) of 'what they think they know' vs 'what they actually know'. Wouldn't that be something? If such a trend ever began, I doubt it would start in the US.

--
Cloxboy's website: [link]
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