Glossary of Typography Terms

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  3. Glossary of Typography Terms

Here is a list of some common typography terms:

Typeface - A set of letters, numbers, and symbols that share a common design and style.

Font - A specific variation of a typeface, such as bold or italic.

Serif - A small line or stroke that is added to the end of a letter's main strokes. Serif typefaces are commonly used in printed materials such as books and newspapers.

Sans-serif - A typeface without serifs. Sans-serif typefaces are commonly used on the web and in digital media.

Script - A typeface that mimics handwriting or calligraphy.

Display - A typeface that is intended for use in headlines and other large-scale text.

Kerning - The process of adjusting the space between individual letters to improve the overall appearance of a word or phrase.

Leading - The process of adjusting the space between lines of text to improve the overall appearance of a block of text.

Tracking - The process of adjusting the space between all letters in a block of text.

Hierarchy - The arrangement of text in a design, used to indicate the importance of different pieces of information.

Grid - A structure used to organize text and other elements in a design.

Alignment - The positioning of text and other elements within a design, such as left-aligned, right-aligned, or centered.

Orphan - A word or short line that appears at the beginning of a paragraph, creating an uneven appearance.

Widow - A word or short line that appears at the end of a paragraph, creating an uneven appearance.

Rags - The uneven edges of a block of justified text.

Hyphenation - The process of dividing words at the end of a line to improve the appearance of a block of text.

Drop cap - A large capital letter that is used to begin a paragraph or section of text.

Pull quote - A quotation from the text that is set in a larger font size and used to draw attention to a specific passage.

ligature - Two or more letters joined together to form a single character.

Baseline - The invisible line on which most letters sit.

These are some of the most common typography terms, and it is important to know them to have a better understanding of how typography works and how to use it effectively in your design.


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