Objective

To study the differences between various typeface designs. To learn how typefaces evolved throughout history. To begin to recognize and name specific typefaces based on the design of the letterforms.

Discussion

The key to recognizing the difference between one font and another is studying the shape of specific letterforms. The letterform "O" won't look too different from one font to another. But the letterform "R" will usually be dramatically different. Once you get to know one font, you'll never forget it. So instead of trying to recognize a lot of different fonts, start with just a few core fonts and become intimate with the designs. Then move on to more fonts as you grow. In this lecture/exercise, we'll examine some of the most important fonts that you should be familiar with.

Procedure

Recognizing different serifs

1. launch Illustrator
2. file > new "x0-recognition.ai" (letter, portrait)
3. window > character (cmd+T)
4. type tool: type "RTWMEKQhaegtyf&1234", change size to 36/30
5. hit RETURN, type "name, weight", add another RETURN
6. change "name, weight" to 10pt, Helvetica, all caps
7. copy and paste the two lines of type so that both lines appear 6 times
8. add your name and the exercise number (10pt Helvetica, 3/4 inch from the right and bottom)
9. spec each line of type in the following fonts:
   • Adobe Garamond Pro (Regular)
   • Adobe Garamond Pro (Small Caps) (Open type: Proportional Old Style Figures)
   • ITC Garamond (Book)
   • ITC New Baskerville (Roman)
   • Bodoni Std (Book)
   • Glypha (Roman)
   
10. label each line of type with its name and weight
11. compare and contrast each line of type (examine the design,
    x-height, stress, stroke weight, serifs)
12. add footer:
    Exercise 0: Type Recognition (serifs)
    Your Name
    (10pt Helvetica, 1/2" from bottom/right)
13. save

Recognizing serif italics

1. zoom out
2. art board tool: copy current artboard to make page 2 (cmd+opt+drag)
3. window > artboards: rename art boards "serifs", "serif italics"
4. return to pointer tool, zoom in to page 2
5. change each line of type to italics
6. re-label each line of type appropriately
7. compare and contrast each line of type
8. modify bottom/right footer, save

Recognizing different sans-serifs

1. zoom out
2. art board tool: copy current artboard to make page 3 (cmd+opt+drag)
3. window > artboards: rename new art board "sans-serifs"
4. return to pointer tool, zoom in to page 3
5. change each line of type to:
   • Helvetica LT Std (Roman)
   • Univers (55 Roman)
   • ITC Franklin Gothic (Book)
   • Gill Sans (Regular)
   • Futura (Book)
   • ITC Avant Garde (Book)
6. re-label each line of type appropriately
7. compare and contrast each line of type
8. modify bottom/right footer, save

Recognizing different weights

1. zoom out
2. art board tool: copy current artboard to make page 4 (cmd+opt+drag)
3. window > artboards: rename new art board "futura"
4. return to pointer tool, zoom in to page 4
5. change each line of type to Futura with the following weights:
   • Light
   • Book
   • Medium
   • Heavy
   • Bold
   • Extra Bold
6. re-label each line of type appropriately
7. compare and contrast each line of type
8. modify bottom/right footer, save

Recgonizing web fonts

1. zoom out
2. art board tool: copy current artboard to make page 5 (cmd+opt+drag)
3. window > artboards: rename new art board "web"
4. return to pointer tool, zoom in to page 5
5. change each line of type to:
   • Andale Mono
   • Arial
   • Georgia
   • Times New Roman
   • Trebuchet
   • Verdana
6. re-label each line of type appropriately
7. compare and contrast each line of type
8. modify bottom/right footer, save

Recognizing display fonts

1. zoom out
2. art board tool: copy current artboard to make page 6 (cmd+opt+drag)
3. window > artboards: rename new art board "display"
4. return to pointer tool, zoom in to page 6
5. change each line of type to:
   • Birch
   • Eurostile (Medium)
   • Goudy Text
   • Mistral
   • OCRB
   • VT Corona (~GDS Fonts > Fonts-GDS Misc)
6. re-label each line of type appropriately
7. compare and contrast each line of type
8. modify bottom/right footer, save

Grading

1. clean-up your printable area and be sure your credit is on all 6 pages
   
2. print proofs for grading
3. file your graded proofs in your Process Book for individual review