Chapter 4 & 5 Reflection By Kayla

The topic for chapter 4 is about Legibility. The three qualities which depend upon legibility are: contrast, simplicity, and proportion. The book states, in which I agree, "legible typography is a means of communicating information objectively. However, typographic designers sometimes bend the traditional criterion of legibility for expressive purposes." The upper halves of words are more easily read than the lower halves on their own. Also more letters remain recognizable when their right half is exposed. Other important factors in legible type are the use of caps, interletter and interword spacing, weight, width, italics, and color. The spacing of type can be the changing factor in the pace a person reads a sentence. All caps letters not only take up up to 35% more space, but all caps also give off the appearance of shouting. Weight in type is useful if one wants to produce contrast and clarity between a headline and body type. Appropriate contrast between type and its background is vital in the legibility of how one reads. Slight adjustments in hue or tint can drastically improve legibility. Typographic details are sometimes very hard to notice or point out but can be very important and the last few pages of the chapter give multiple examples of recommended and not recommended practices.

The topic for chapter 5 is about the Typographic Grid. The book states that a grid is a skeletal framework used by designers to organize information and within that, space is the common denominator for all typographic communication. Proportion has been mentioned as an important element many times before. The typographic grid is a system of proportions, therefore proportion must be thoroughly understood. The next point of emphasis is single and multi-column grids. Single column grids appear simple and linear as in a traditional novel. When working with a multi-column grid it is essential to balance type size, line length, and interline spacing(leading). The book gives the clear example, changing the size of type will most likely require the need to adjust the line length.The next type of grid is a modular grid which offers more opportunities for complex design. The book also states, as I find important, the more complex the grid structure, the more flexible the organizational possibilities. And lastly improvisinational structures are very flexible in construction and is all about where the designer wants to go with it.
This example shows how the legebility of type based of color, hue, and tone can make a big difference.