Baseline, x-height, ascenders, descenders, the parts that make one typeface read differently from another
Grab your Guided Notes (FDD 5.1) and a pencil.
GET READY
Today's Word Bank
Every word below appears on your notes sheet. Watch closely, some get used more than once.
ascender
cap height
counter
descender
font
serif
typeface
How today works: we'll look at one blank at a time. Study the example, make your best guess, then we'll reveal the answer together. Fill in your notes as we go, don't skip ahead!
1GUIDED NOTES
Typeface or font?
A ______ is one weight/style/size within a type family; the family itself is called a ______.
GUIDED NOTES #1
FONT / TYPEFACE
Typeface is the whole family (e.g. Helvetica); font is one specific weight/style/size within it (e.g. Helvetica Bold 12pt).
2GUIDED NOTES
What's the small line at a stroke's end?
The small line finishing off the end of a letter's main strokes is called a ______. A typeface without these is called sans-serif.
GUIDED NOTES #2
SERIF
Serif typefaces have these finishing strokes; sans-serif ("without serif") doesn't.
3GUIDED NOTES
Above the x-height or below the baseline?
The part of a lowercase letter extending above the x-height (like on a "b" or "h") is called an ______. The part extending below the baseline (like on a "p" or "g") is a descender.
GUIDED NOTES #3
ASCENDER
Ascenders reach up past the x-height; descenders drop below the baseline.
4GUIDED NOTES
What's the enclosed space inside a letterform?
The fully or partially enclosed space inside a letterform (like the hole in an "o") is called a ______.
GUIDED NOTES #4
COUNTER
The negative space trapped inside a letter, critical to how readable it stays at small sizes.
NOW DISCUSS
Turn & Talk
Look at 3 typefaces on the handout. Which classification does each belong to, and how can you tell?
Think → Pair → Share · 2 minutes · Write your answer on the Discuss line on your guided notes