Classification
Over 10,000 typefaces exist in several basic classifications. Most faces can be placed into the following seven categories. Before you try to become conscious of the contrasts in type, you should become aware of the similarities between broad groups of type designs, because it is the similarities that cause conflicts in type combinations.

weight The visual width of the strokes that build each letterform. width The horizontal measurement of a type character. slope A description of the angle of the axis of a type character. size Vertical measurement of type in points. One point equals 1/72 of an inch. leading Vertical measurement, in points of the distance between lines of type baseline to baseline. alignment The way type is arranged on a page.

overprinting and reverses These are the standards for overprinting (overburn) and reverses on screens. wordspacing Whitespace is increased or decreased between words to fit a certain line length letterspacing Whitespace is increased or decreased between letters to fit a certain line length. capitalization patterns These are the standard capitalization patterns for headlines. kerning Eliminates the unnaturally large spaces that often occur between certain letter pairs.

Column Widths
The length of columns helps to determine the readability of the type. Columns should be approximately 6-24 picas wide.

Typical Sizes
These are standard sizes that seems to work best for your yearbook type. Remember, these are just standards and you can vary from standard if it works in your design..

© 1999 Walsworth Publishing Company/Jim Jordan

Article by Jim Jordan

Jim Jordan advises the staff of the award-winning yearbook at Del Campo High School, Fair Oaks, Calif. The Decamhian has a long tradition of excellence, having consistently received the prestigious NSPA Pacemaker and CSPA Gold Crown awards. Jordan was among the first to use desktop publishing in yearbook production.

Jim has written 9 article(s) for the Idea File.