Type classifications: Sans Serifs
When you make your own layout, one of the things you’ll have to do is choose typefaces. To do that well, you need to know a little bit about type and typography. This is the third article in a series that covers some type basics. The first article described the parts of a letter. The second article covered the Serif type classification (the first classification of three). In this article, we will look at Sans Serif typefaces.
We learned in the previous article that a serif is defined as a short decorative line at the start or finish of a stroke in a letter and that serifs are also sometimes referred to as feet. Sans is French for without. So, sans serif typefaces are those without serifs — or without feet. Clever, huh.
While serif typefaces are grouped by historical periods, sans serif categories are more functional and descriptive than historical.
Sans serif typefaces appeared occasionally throughout history — mainly as inscriptions — but were only made into type in the late 19th century. Sans serifs are more linear and less fluid than serif faces and also have little difference in stroke width.
While some sources divide san serifs into four groups (Grotesque, Neo-grotesque, Humanist and Geometric), it is more common to have only three groups. Grotesques and Neo-grotesques are usually grouped together.
Two well-known Geometric typefaces are Futura and Avant Garde. Some common characteristics of Geometrics are:
- The horizontal and vertical parts of the letters are very straight and have little or no variation in stroke width
- The curves in these letters are nearly identical from letter to letter and their paths are nearly circular
- Their x-height is similar in proportion to the Modern serif group
- They work well for headlines, captions and labels
Four much-used Grotesques typefaces are Arial, Helvetica, Univers and Franklin Gothic. Some common characteristics of Grotesques are:
- The proportions of the letters are somewhat like serifs
- There is slightly more variation in the stroke widths
- The x-height is large in proportion to their uppercase letters
- They work well in the same situations as Geometrics
Two well-known Humanist typefaces are Optima. Some characteristics that Humanist typefaces have in common are:
- They are based mainly on Oldstyle serif proportions
- Their x-height is similar to Oldstyle serifs
- They are the most versatile sans serifs
- They work well for headlines, ad copy and packaging, as well as for text
To download my free ebook that shows typography in action designing a flyer, click here: http://www.yeow-to-wow.com
You can read the first article in this series — Parts of a Letter — by clicking here: http://ezinearticles.com/?id=1180490
You can read the second article in this series — Type classifications: Serifs — by clicking here: http://EzineArticles.com/?id=1181122
Brenda Lewis is a veteran graphic designer who has conducted graphic design workshops for both local and national audiences.
Tags: flyer design, make your own layout, marketing materials, sans serifs, serifs, type, typefaces, typography