Typography Terms:
Serif
A Serif can be found of the ends of the letter depending on a certain font, The example above the serif is seen on the left 'f'. They're recognisable by the small lines at the ends of various strokes. The font makes it easier to read which is why it is most oftenly found in large blocks of text such as a book. The most common example of a serif font is Times New Roman.
Bowl
An open or closed circular line that creates an interior space within the letter.
Counter
A counter is the area of a letter a that is entirely or partially enclosed by a letter form or a symbol. It can also be known as Aperture, inner space, enclosed space
Ligature
A ligature is a special character that combines two (or sometimes three) characters into a single character
Ascender
The Ascender is the part of the letter that extends above the mean line.
Descender
The part of the letter that extends below the baseline (eg. the bottom of the stroke)
X-height
this is the distance between the baseline of a line of type and tops of the main body of the lower case letters
Leading
Leading is the vertical space between lines of type. It can also be called "line-height"
Baseline
The baseline is the line upon which most letters sit and below which descenders extend.
Stress
The stress is the angle of inwards pressure onto a letter, which makes the letter thinner in some parts in relation to the angle of axis.
Kerning
A process of adjusting the spacing between characters to correct visually uneven spacing.
sources:
eric gill
Eric gill was a sculptor, typeface designer and printmaker born in 1882 in Brighton and passed away middlesex england in 1940. Gill was well known more his association with the arts and crafts movement. However, also known for his private life which included incest with his two elder siblings and zoophilia with his dog, which undoubtedly would land him in prison today. Gill is considered a controversial stance not only in his personal life but in his art which often involved erotic imagery despite have strong religious views and beliefs. Back in the day his works involving sculptures is what got him the most attention.
Eric Gill works on Ariel, from The Tempest, one of his iconic statues at BBC Broadcasting House in London, March 1933. Photograph: BBC/Corbis
Ecstasy 1910–1
“Does consciousness of artists' reprehensible behaviour (Gill in 2006 would no doubt be in prison) put up a barrier between the viewer and the work? Or does knowledge of the artist's life, fallibilities included, amplify and enrich our understanding of the art?” - the guardian
Personally, I think quote above is quite accurate and important for me to discuss and this is what made me research this artist. When researching Eric Gill I was quite disgusted with his scandalous behaviour even for the period of the time does not justify his actions. However in a strange way I found myself wanting to find more about how his art linked with his actions and somehow it did amplify. As soon as you, the reader, find out about his past there is some part of you that does want to see his work to gain further understanding. (not justifying his actions)
Its like when someone is interested in true crime or serial killers and they know what the suspect has done but you can’t help but wanting to know the “why” or the psychology of behind the thinking of what made them do the crime. I guess as humans we're drawn to the tension between good and evil. We want to figure out what drove these people to this extreme act. Of course we don’t actually want to murder (well hopefully you don’t because I certainly don’t) we’re just interested in behaviours. And in Gill’s case it was shown through art.
Eric Gill’s Girl in Bath II, 1923 – the model for which was his daughter Petra. Photograph: Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft.
sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Gill
https://www.famousgraphicdesigners.org › eric-gill
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2006/jul/22/art.art
https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/eric-gill-1168
In comparison Margaret Calvert’s works has most definitely been seen by everyone even if you didn’t know who she is. Margaret Calvert is a Southern-African born, British graphic designer most famously known for creating signage.
In comparison her works are a lot more functional and uses more typography
For the triangle sign it is said that the sign used to be an older boy leading a little girl, when margaret came to design it she based it on an image herself and it changed to an older girl.
As a designer she believes: “You have the very responsible position of making things clear so that they can get from A to B. It’s not about putting your personality into that particular design.” - Margaret Calvert
although her kind of work is not what i would personally be drawn to but i was intrigued on how her works are on a huge scale in location in the uk. Her work also helps the general public in their daily lives.
sources:
https://www.shillingtoneducation.com/blog/margaret-calvert-tbt/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Calvert
so in conclusion does the biography change our appreciation of these artists/designers works ?
for me yes. without knowing Eric gill’s history i would’ve been drawn to his works. especially when looking at “girl in the bath” piece, It evokes sadness within me knowing that the model is his eldest daughter that at the time was being abused. I think its even capturing her helplessness by her body language. Margarets works one I was interested by as I’ve grown up with her work being around me all the time and every time i drive. knowing that she studied illustration it made me more interested on how she especially designed the triangular signs. Its simple and effective with its boldness not a lot of line work but it does the job. by all this, her works lightened me up more so i was able to appreciate her work more.