Introduction
In
this project we will examine type through the medium of book design,
starting with Gutenberg and his relationship to early illuminated
manuscripts,
through the French designers of the late 16th Century such as Geoffrey
Tory and the Estiennes and their primary influence, Aldus Manutius and
Francesco Griffo. Special attention will be given given to the work of
Nicholas Jenson and Claude Garamond. Look to the historical examples
for both page size, layout format and type design. We will discuss aspects
of Jan Tschichold The Art of the Book.
The text and art
will consist of the 36 reports and sample art generated this semester
by members of the class. Text
and art will be saved in a standard format so as to allow everyone
to download
them
from
the Class Projects Folder.
The book must be completed by the
end of the semester.
To Begin
You will each be responsible for producing 1 book. Much of your success
will depend on keeping up with the assigned work. Your books will consist
of a title page, a copyright page, table of contents, chapter openers,
text pages, fold-out time line, art work, captions, running feet. Each
piece will be related to a consistent design motif. Each designer will
choose a page size, develop a grid system that indicates placement for
text, margins, indents, borders, folios, etc. & design according
to the grid. Focus of the project will center around the issues of legibility,
inter-word spacing, line spacing, hyphens, print size, line length, kerning
and character compensation. While writing and typing your paper, start
working on thumbnails for a book format. Think of the two, text and layout,
as inseparable components. Refer to examples of early book design to
guide you. Begin with choosing a book size. Why does
one size stand out.
Cont'd
on next frame |