Letterform: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Term to refer to a letter's shape}} |
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[[File:Eric_Gill_-_Alphabets_and_Numerals_(1909)_(V%26A).jpg|thumb|''Alphabets and Numerals ''(1909).<br>Letters carved by [[Eric Gill]] for a book, ''"Manuscript and Inscription Letters for Schools and Classes and for the Use of Craftsmen"'' (Edward Johnston 1909).<ref>{{cite book |title=Manuscript and Inscription Letters for Schools and Classes and for the Use of Craftsmen ... With 5 plates by A.E.R. Gill.|date=1909 |author=Edward Johnston |oclc= 561934412}}</ref> He later gave them to the [[Victoria and Albert Museum]] so they could be used by students at the [[Royal College of Art]].]] |
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| ⚫ | A '''letterform''', '''letter-form''' or '''letter form''' is a term used especially in [[typography]], [[palaeography]], [[calligraphy]] and [[epigraphy]] to mean a [[letter (alphabet)|letter's]] shape. A letterform is a type of [[glyph]], which is a specific, concrete way of writing an abstract [[character (computing)|character]] or [[grapheme]]. |
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For example, medieval scholars may discuss the particular handwritten letterforms that distinguish one script from another.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Letterforms |url=http://rmc.library.cornell.edu/medievalbook/letterforms.htm |website=Evolution of the Medieval Book |series=Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library}}</ref> |
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In one sense, letterform applies strictly to the design of individual letters. In typography, "letterforms" is often used to describe the study and design ''of'' individual letters while typography applies to the design and use ''with'' letterforms. As such, "letterform" applies not only to letters but to any graphic elements of a script, typeface or font (including numbers, symbols and punctuation). |
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| ⚫ | The history of letterforms is discussed in fields of study relating to materials used in writing. [[Epigraphy]] includes the study of letterforms carved in stone or other permanent materials. [[Palaeography]] is the study of writing in ancient and medieval manuscripts. [[Calligraphy]] treats the letterforms of decorative writing, usually in ink. In the field of [[typography]], [[type design]] is the process of designing [[typeface]]s that consist of sets of letterforms for use with metal print or computer. More broadly letterforms may be discussed wherever letters appear stylistically—in [[graffiti]] for example. |
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In another sense letterform applies to the individual shapes of letters that gives a text an aesthetic. In this way, medieval scholars, for instance, may discuss the particular features of a script that give it distinction and definition among other scripts. (http://rmc.library.cornell.edu/medievalbook/letterforms.htm) |
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==In context== |
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Depending on context, similar terms are sometimes used interchangeably - especially character but also sign, [[glyph]] and [[grapheme]]. |
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| ⚫ | The history of letterforms is discussed in fields of study relating to materials used in writing. [[Epigraphy]] includes the study of letterforms carved in stone or other permanent materials. [[ |
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* Letterforms in calligraphy: [[Man'yōgana]], [[Hentaigana]] |
* Letterforms in calligraphy: [[Man'yōgana]], [[Hentaigana]] |
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* Letterforms in history: [[Long s]], [[R rotunda]] |
* Letterforms in history: [[Long s]], [[R rotunda]] |
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* Letterforms in technology: [[Typeface]], [[Computer printer]] |
* Letterforms in technology: [[Typeface]], [[Computer printer]] |
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== See also == |
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* Letterforms in newspapers and magazines [[Type printa]] |
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* {{Annotated link |Glyph}} |
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==References in external articles== |
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* {{Annotated link |Grammatology}} |
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* {{Annotated link |Graphemics}} |
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* {{Annotated link |Sort (typesetting)}} |
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* {{Annotated link |Typeface anatomy}} |
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* {{Annotated link |Writing system}} |
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<references /> |
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==External links== |
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* Letterforms in design: [http://www.themorningnews.org/archives/personalities/is_gotham_the_new_interstate.php Is Gotham the New Interstate] at [[The Morning News (online magazine)|The Morning News]] |
* Letterforms in design: [http://www.themorningnews.org/archives/personalities/is_gotham_the_new_interstate.php Is Gotham the New Interstate] at [[The Morning News (online magazine)|The Morning News]] |
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* Named parts of a letter: [http://typomil.com/anatomy/index.html Type Anatomy 1.0] |
* Named parts of a letter: [http://typomil.com/anatomy/index.html Type Anatomy 1.0] |
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[[Category:Typography]] |
[[Category:Typography]] |
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[[Category:Graphemes]] |
[[Category:Graphemes]] |
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{{writingsystem-stub}} |
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Latest revision as of 22:24, 12 August 2024
_(V%26A).jpg)
Letters carved by Eric Gill for a book, "Manuscript and Inscription Letters for Schools and Classes and for the Use of Craftsmen" (Edward Johnston 1909).[1] He later gave them to the Victoria and Albert Museum so they could be used by students at the Royal College of Art.
A letterform, letter-form or letter form is a term used especially in typography, palaeography, calligraphy and epigraphy to mean a letter's shape. A letterform is a type of glyph, which is a specific, concrete way of writing an abstract character or grapheme.
For example, medieval scholars may discuss the particular handwritten letterforms that distinguish one script from another.[2]
The history of letterforms is discussed in fields of study relating to materials used in writing. Epigraphy includes the study of letterforms carved in stone or other permanent materials. Palaeography is the study of writing in ancient and medieval manuscripts. Calligraphy treats the letterforms of decorative writing, usually in ink. In the field of typography, type design is the process of designing typefaces that consist of sets of letterforms for use with metal print or computer. More broadly letterforms may be discussed wherever letters appear stylistically—in graffiti for example.
In context
[edit]- Letterforms in alphabets: Arabic alphabet, Cyrillic script
- Letterforms in calligraphy: Man'yōgana, Hentaigana
- Letterforms in history: Long s, R rotunda
- Letterforms in technology: Typeface, Computer printer
See also
[edit]- Glyph – Purposeful written mark
- Grammatology – Study of graphemes and writing systems
- Graphemics – Study of graphemes and writing systems
- Sort (typesetting) – Block with a typographic character etched on it, which is lined up with others to print text
- Typeface anatomy – Graphic components of typeface letters
- Writing system – Convention of symbols representing language
References
[edit]- ^ Edward Johnston (1909). Manuscript and Inscription Letters for Schools and Classes and for the Use of Craftsmen ... With 5 plates by A.E.R. Gill. OCLC 561934412.
- ^ "Letterforms". Evolution of the Medieval Book. Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
External links
[edit]- Letterforms in design: Is Gotham the New Interstate at The Morning News
- Named parts of a letter: Type Anatomy 1.0
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