“Space in typography is like time in music. It is infinitely divisible, but a few proportional intervals can be much more useful than a limitless choice of arbitrary quantities.” So says the typographer Robert Bringhurst, and just as regular use of time provides rhythm in music, so regular use of space provides rhythm in typography, and without rhythm the listener, or the reader, becomes disorientated and lost.

On the Web, vertical rhythm — the spacing and arrangement of text as the reader descends the page — is contributed to by three factors: font size, line height and margin or padding. All of these factors must calculated with care in order that the rhythm is maintained. The basic unit of vertical space is line height. Establishing a suitable line height that can be applied to all text on the page is the key to a solid dependable vertical rhythm. It will engage and guide the reader down the page.

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29th May, 2008 No Comments

Idea of a new typography term – keming. noun. The result of improper kerning :-)

22nd February, 2008 No Comments

Web typography is very important and often reflects your site’s tone and affect its visual impact. Unfortunately, ihe world of print design still hasn’t made a substantial impression on the web. Sure, a few things are nicked now and again, but most web designers remain blissfully unaware of what their QuarkXPress- or InDesign-loving pals are up to. Just recently .net magazine published wonderful article on Better Web Typography. The article demonstrates some aspects of of vertical rhythm and baseline grid. It comes with small tutorial and can be printed in PDF.

28th January, 2008 No Comments