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Historical classification of typefaces.
I'm finding some slightly conflicting information regarding classifying type. After researching Vox's classification system, researching modern type (that added several new factors to typeface classification), I'm still not sure if there is a 100% correct way to classify typefaces. I've seen the following categories in different resources (printed, not online resources):
v1
- Old Style
- Italic
- Transitional
- Modern
- Egyptian/Slab Serif
- Sans Serif
v2
- Archaic
- Old Style (aka Classical)
- Transitional
- Modern
- Sans Serif
- Slab Serif
- Graphic/Display
Any of these correct categorizations in terms of historical as well as modern day context? Can anyone shed some more light on the situation?
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31 Aug 2010 — 3:49pm
You can always dig deeper, and some typefaces have traits from more than one category. I honestly don’t use classification a lot, but the categories that make sense to me are:
Monospaced fonts and pixel fonts are often grouped on the side but I happen to think that’s a bad idea. The usually fit into one of these categories.
Apart from that, I also operate vaugely with, and might not fully grasp yet, terms like Egyptienne, Italienne, Scotch, Semi serif, Cursive (often connected to the roman, but still something completely different) and a few others I can’t think of at the moment. Edit: I can think of Fleischmann, but that’s only because I always think of it as so unique it doesn’t really fit in any other category (in my mind).
31 Aug 2010 — 4:37pm
I'm still not sure if there is a 100% correct way to classify typefaces.
there isn't. although my favorite classifications are the 'fonts that suck and fonts that don't suck' system and a system of tagging, such as myfonts.com has in place. try the tag game: http://new.myfonts.com/games/tag/
1 Sep 2010 — 2:52am
One example of a Slab in the Grotesque style is Serifa or Glypha
http://www.fontshop.com/fonts/downloads/elsnerflake/serifa_ot/
1 Sep 2010 — 4:26am
Thanks Indra. The reason this classification makes sense to me is how easily I can see how things relate. If I need a companion for a humanist sans, I’ll instantly know humanist serifs (venetian) or humanist slabs share a similar structure and “philosophy”.
1 Sep 2010 — 5:23am
That's the idea – classifications should be there to help the user, not please the art historian. That's why I'd like to get rid of the historic terms altogether.
As for classifying scripts, that can be done according to the same or similar model: the (former) writing tool which determines the type of contrast and principle of form. Roughly that is broad nib/old style/humanist/chancery, pointed nib/modern/grotesque/roundhand, round nib/geometric/free
1 Sep 2010 — 5:36am
Care to give visual examples of these? I’d love to learn more.
1 Sep 2010 — 6:04am
I have a matrix with examples, but the links (picts) are missing – classic. So I can either dm you the structure with shitty previews of the typefaces or gimme some time to make a new one.
1 Sep 2010 — 6:12am
I don’t want to give your more work, Kupz.
1 Sep 2010 — 7:39am
Kupz,
I'd love to take a look at what you have as well. But don't do any extra work....we're not worth it. ;)
1 Sep 2010 — 8:17am
Are you trying to coin a new nickname? That's not how you will coax me :)
1 Sep 2010 — 1:37pm
How about Kupa? The boss from Super Mario Bros ;)
1 Sep 2010 — 2:16pm
They always forget to have a classification for wedge serif typefaces!
And, of course, there are also the Clarendons.
1 Sep 2010 — 2:25pm
Wedge serifs can be both venetians and aldines/garaldes (neither based on serif shape, but rather openness and axis for my part), but most likely not moderns. Yes, clarendons - they're under the slab umbrella. You can always dig deeper.
1 Sep 2010 — 3:21pm
Kupz, I could design an ambigram for you...if you know what that is ;)
1 Sep 2010 — 3:35pm
Fantômas: Your nick evokes some mixed feelings for a Norwegian. And concerning Kupfers: She's way too classy for any z's or ambigrams.
1 Sep 2010 — 3:40pm
Frode,
My moniker actually comes from the 1960s series of movie about a brilliant criminal named Fantomas. The 1960s movies with Louis de Funès & Jean Marais were actually based off of the original 1913 movie with the same name. And no, my moniker isn't based on the band.
1 Sep 2010 — 3:44pm
Follow this link.
1 Sep 2010 — 4:28pm
By wedge serifs, I was thinking of typefaces like Latin Bold.
Since typefaces like Stymie and Cairo have unbracketed serifs, I had expected that Clarendons would have a separate classification.
2 Sep 2010 — 1:04am
We had it over wedges.
Especially Latins are often based on the modern/static model or principle of form, look.
Those and also the Clarendons as Frodz, eh, Frode suggested belong to the Slabs usually, as Venetian belongs to Serif (subcategory).
What a pity the brilliant Fontomas Dirk Uhlenbrock adjourned his fun project indefinitely obviously.