Week 5 – The week of February 4th – February 8th: Measurements & Letter Spacing / Leading Practice

In class

***Letter spacing, tracking, & kerning: 20 minute sprint***

Review homework in small feedback groups.

BREAK

Lecture: Measurements lecture.

In class assignment — Measurements and letterspacing practice
You will be given a printout of some printed text samples. Using a pica ruler, document and measure the following:

Typeface classification
Typographic style
Paragraph alignment
Point size/Leading, &
Line measure.

For example: Sans serif, bold italic, centered, 12/16 12p6

Then click here to download/open the document in Indesign. When you open your file we will check the measurements together.

HOMEWORK

Part 1: Take a snapshot/screen grab of your initial digital design rough (or sketch). Your first design layout will be used as part of your final presentation. Refine your design. Add color, ornamentation, imagery and/or illustration to your package design face. Bring color print outs of your project to class next week and bring in your digital files for a work-in-progress review.

Part 2: In a separate layer in your file, label what typeface classification your product name belongs to and label aspects of type anatomy listed below. Print out an extra copy of your product name with the layer of labels visible.

Typeface classification
Baseline
Median
X-height
Cap-height
Ascender height
Descender height
Mark the stress
At least 2 aspects of anatomy for each letter in your product name.

READINGS AND LINKS

Required reading:
Measurements Lecture (PDF file)

“How to” files review:
Setting up your typographic space in Indesign (PDF file)
Kerning/Leading Key Commands (PDF file)

Lynda.com: Working with left aligned type, justified type, and centered type.

Kerning and Tracking — Entire Chapter (Lynda.com)
Using lining and proportional numerals — (Lynda.com)