Garamond Typefaces Analysis
• Legibility
Counters: open and wide.
x-height: high (61%), especially for a serif typeface.
Width and weight: Compared with other serif typefaces, Garamond is relatively a narrow (103%) and light (18%, 7%) type, which likely contributes to its being so eco-friendly when printed. The result is that it fit more letters on a page and the page will still look light.
Distinctions: the original Garamond was created using a brush, and this is apparent in letterforms. It is easy to see there is a great deal of variation in the strokes that make up and distinguish the letters, and they all terminate with a soft point, just like what people would expect from a brush.
Familiarity: the long-term influence guarantees Garamond a great familiarity …show more content…
Wikipedia, calls Garamond one of the “most legible and readable serif typefaces for use in print.” The larger x-heights normally correspond to increase readability online; however other aspects of the typeface, including the small character size, light weight, and medium thick/thin transitions decrease online readability.
The lighter weight and smaller characters may not work as well for audiences with vision issues, including the elderly. The type works well for long documents, so one audience is readers of novels and longer print documents. Uses includes books, long reports, dissertations, and any print document where the writer/designer wants high readability and legibility. The smaller size makes it ideal for text-heavy print documents where the designer wants a clean look and wants to save space, as mentioned above. It works well for résumés and CVs in more traditional areas or areas where a clean elegant design is warranted. It looks lovely in letters (like cover letters), giving them a formal and sophisticated feel, especially on a nice parchment or linen paper. Given its eco-friendliness in printing, green and eco-friendly companies may consider it for print use. Companies that want a more elegant and traditional but not boring feel may like Garamond—law firms, wedding businesses, clothing boutique stores, and business associated with women. The elegance does lend it a more feminine feel, so this may not be the hair …show more content…
These original Garamond letterforms, as well as many other roman types of the 16th century, are classified as old style. A horizontal bar on the e, bracketed serifs, axis curves that are inclined to the left, and notable contrast between thick and thin strokes are all typical features of this style. Traits particular to Garamond include the small bowl of the and small eye of the e, the downward slope of most top serifs, and the long extenders. There attributes are fairly consistent among all variations.
Among the variations, the most faithful to the original arrived in 1924 by Stempel Foundry. Both the roman and italic types are based on the original Garamond design, while most other Garamond italics are based on the designs of Granjon or Jannon. An angularity is apparent in the romans, as well as a slightly heavier weight, that is unlike most other Garamonds. The typeface appears more uniform and orderly. The calligraphic nuances that characterize the original are integral to the Stempel family. The angular head and bowl of the ‘a’ and the oblique apex of the ‘A’ are fine calligraphic qualities that are less pounced in other
Counters: open and wide.
x-height: high (61%), especially for a serif typeface.
Width and weight: Compared with other serif typefaces, Garamond is relatively a narrow (103%) and light (18%, 7%) type, which likely contributes to its being so eco-friendly when printed. The result is that it fit more letters on a page and the page will still look light.
Distinctions: the original Garamond was created using a brush, and this is apparent in letterforms. It is easy to see there is a great deal of variation in the strokes that make up and distinguish the letters, and they all terminate with a soft point, just like what people would expect from a brush.
Familiarity: the long-term influence guarantees Garamond a great familiarity …show more content…
Wikipedia, calls Garamond one of the “most legible and readable serif typefaces for use in print.” The larger x-heights normally correspond to increase readability online; however other aspects of the typeface, including the small character size, light weight, and medium thick/thin transitions decrease online readability.
The lighter weight and smaller characters may not work as well for audiences with vision issues, including the elderly. The type works well for long documents, so one audience is readers of novels and longer print documents. Uses includes books, long reports, dissertations, and any print document where the writer/designer wants high readability and legibility. The smaller size makes it ideal for text-heavy print documents where the designer wants a clean look and wants to save space, as mentioned above. It works well for résumés and CVs in more traditional areas or areas where a clean elegant design is warranted. It looks lovely in letters (like cover letters), giving them a formal and sophisticated feel, especially on a nice parchment or linen paper. Given its eco-friendliness in printing, green and eco-friendly companies may consider it for print use. Companies that want a more elegant and traditional but not boring feel may like Garamond—law firms, wedding businesses, clothing boutique stores, and business associated with women. The elegance does lend it a more feminine feel, so this may not be the hair …show more content…
These original Garamond letterforms, as well as many other roman types of the 16th century, are classified as old style. A horizontal bar on the e, bracketed serifs, axis curves that are inclined to the left, and notable contrast between thick and thin strokes are all typical features of this style. Traits particular to Garamond include the small bowl of the and small eye of the e, the downward slope of most top serifs, and the long extenders. There attributes are fairly consistent among all variations.
Among the variations, the most faithful to the original arrived in 1924 by Stempel Foundry. Both the roman and italic types are based on the original Garamond design, while most other Garamond italics are based on the designs of Granjon or Jannon. An angularity is apparent in the romans, as well as a slightly heavier weight, that is unlike most other Garamonds. The typeface appears more uniform and orderly. The calligraphic nuances that characterize the original are integral to the Stempel family. The angular head and bowl of the ‘a’ and the oblique apex of the ‘A’ are fine calligraphic qualities that are less pounced in other