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Lesson 4:   04-A   04-B   04-C   04-D

​Lesson 4 - Objectives 1-2 (Monday)

There are many colleges around the world that offer a full, four year degree in typography. We won't have time in this course to go that deep. However, there are some basics we can learn that will help us improve our graphic design skills.  This past week as part of assignment three, you read about typography. Let's summarize some of the important fundamentals.

First and foremost type is about communication.  Even when using a letter as a design element, type is all about giving a message.

In Robin Williams' book, The Non-Designer's Design Book, the fonts chosen for use on a page can have one of three relationships:
  • Concordant: Using only one type family without much variety.  The page is harmonious, formal, sedate, perhaps even dull.
  • Conflicting: When you combine typefaces that are similar (but not the same) in style, size, weight, etc.
  • Contrasting: Combining typefaces and elements that are clearly distinct from each other.  Contrast is emphasized.

Unless there is some sound reason to use conflicting typefaces (and I can't think of any at this moment), you should avoid them.  Go for concordant or contrasting instead.
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So, how can we tell if two fonts are conflicting?  There are thousands of typefaces right now, and more are added each day. That makes it difficult to choose among them. However, typefaces can be categorized into general styles, which will help us to choose font matches that work well together.
Depending upon the source you go to, there are varying categories. Six of the most commonly used categories are Oldstyle, Modern, Slab Serif, Sans Serif, Script, and Decorative.
  • Oldstyle, Slab Serif, and Modern are serif fonts.  Serifs are usually at an angle, as if you were hand lettering with a wedge-shaped pen.  Also, the letters have thick and thin strokes.
  • Sans serif fonts have no serifs, and the strokes are usually even in width.
  • Click on the images at right to learn about the categories.

Robin Williams continues, "To use type effectively, you have to be conscious.  By that I mean you must keep your eyes open, you must notice details, you must try to state the problem in words.  Or when you see something that appeals to you strongly, put into words why it appeals to you."
Being able to categorize a typeface can help you do this.  Some of the most effective font use happens when you follow some basic rules.
  1. Know your font families or categories.
  2. When you need to use two fonts, pick contrasting fonts.  You can pick contrasting fonts from different categories.  (If you pick two fonts from the same category - they will most likely conflict.)  You can also contrast size, weight, structure, form, direction, or color.
  3. Stick to one or two fonts - only go for three fonts if you absolutely have to.
  4. Avoid mixing moods.  Instead combine fonts of complimentary moods and of similar time eras.
  5. Use different weights of fonts in the same font family for a more harmonious, concordant feel.
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​Text Color: Blocks of text on a page have color (squint through barely open eyes at a page of text so that it looks like a field of grey),  Adding color variety to a page of text by using different weights, size, or fonts can add more visual interest to a page.  For example, the image at right is a specimen of fonts, size, weights, etc.  Click on it to see a full size view.  In this thumbnail size, however, you can't read the text, but you can see clearly the varying shades of grey the blocks of type make.

Again, the principle of contrast will be one of your best friends when using type.  As Robin Williams says, "Don't be a wimp!"

With these principles in mind, let's work with type in Photoshop.
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Photoshop is used typically to combine smaller amounts of type with images to deliver a message quickly and with flare.  If you're designing newspaper, newsletters, magazines, or other publications that require more text, then other programs such as Adobe inDesign, a desktop publishing application, would better serve that purpose.  Click on each of the photoshop examples below (at left) to see a few ways type can be used in Photoshop.
All images above are by Nathan Smith
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Click this image to learn some font terminology...
Please note that whenever you use the Type tools, a new type layer will be created.  You will learn more about layers in lesson 6.

Watch the video - The Basics of Using the Type Tools in Photoshop.
Besides the video, here are some great, step-by-step instructions by Steve Patterson on using the type tools in Photoshop:
  1. Photoshop Type Essentials (or PDF)
  2. Photoshop Point vs Area Type (or PDF)

Reference Article: Type Shortcuts in Photoshop CC 2014 (or PDF)
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Video: The Basics of Using the Type Tools in Photoshop (17:10)