[rightclick]

Would like some advice. Please read:

Way back when, in the days of University I spent too much time doped up to attend vital classes on typography. I missed out a lot of important education on the fundamentals of type, something which I have had to learn off my own back, with no experienced designers to assist me. Something I’ve regretted ever since I haven’t minded though, it’s been an excellent challenge and I’ve enjoyed discovering type as discipline on it’s own, on my own.

Originally I disregarded type and didn’t really see it’s importance compared to the image. This wasn’t helped by a complete ignorance towards learning the basics and more about type. So after University, on placements and doing some freelance stuff I realized just how important type was, and how fundamental it was to the future of my career. I suddenly shit myself in the wake up call that I was a good three years behind on something that I really should of known.

Since I took a closer, deeper interest in typography, I’ve become fascinated with it and I’ve begun to enjoy the beauty of typography and how bad type can stand out like a big fat flashing error sign! So on my learning curve there were things that I could pick up from books, examples that I could work against to produce a good (?) quality. After all it’s about trial and error, tweeking until things are just right. But this is where I become unstuck with typography and begin to wonder about good type and bad type.

One of the things that I have constantly strived for is good kerning, making sure that each letter sits comfortably between it’s peers. Like many a designer before me I have struggled with this and no doubt many others of you have been down this road of uncertainty when it comes to getting the kerning just right. Is the individual character looked at next ad the point of dedication to it’s peers or is the word as a whole looked at and spaced so that it sits comfortably?

I’m beginning to accept that maybe it’s always going to be down to trial and error and that it is something over the years that I will develop an accurate eye for and get much, much better at. Is this the case? The more seasoned designers out there amongst you maybe able to help me with this. I don’t expect a quick fix solution but I would be grateful and keen to hear other designers views on this.

Some of you may have seen a business card that I posted us a while ago where I asked for some help on the kerning as I was getting pretty pissed off looking at it. I appreciated the help I was given with that, but I have a thurst for more knowledge and help with kerning for the future. I’ve a couple of books on typography now, but most of them give little more than an explanation of what kerning is, rather than what rules should be adhered to and how things should be done properly. Although this might be as fruitful as fighting for peace.

I have a theory though. Maybe (and likely) there is too much badly or un-kerned type out there in the world to provide a decent education of it. Therefore I’m exposed to bad type and have picked up and assumed that this is A. acceptable and B. the correct way of things. Or I’m aware that the type is bad and I’m not sure exactly why and I’m unable to make a conscious criticism and not make the same mistakes myself.

What is the best solution? Where can I find these solutions? I’m not looking for a quick fix, nor am I under the impression that I’ll find such a thing. At present ‘My First Book of Kerning’ has proved illusive. Maybe it always will, but its something that I need to and would like to master quickly.

So, wider networked people of DTF, what can you recommend? Do I keep plugging away at it, trusting my own judgment and confidence, shelling out £££’s on books for reference and examples. Or are there places I can visit (online) that would be of some help and guidance. Do you have any tips or advice that you could offer, any words of wisdom? I’d be really interest on hearing peoples views and comments.

Thought this might make a good Friday piece. And remember any student tossing it off under the impression that it doesn't matter if you miss a few lectures, if bloody does!

Cheers People,

RightClick or Neil if you will.

[oli]

Bloody hell mate

Heres a good article on kerning - http://letterheadfonts.com/tipsandtr...it/index.shtml
Basically trust your eyes to know what looks right, try moving further or closer to the screen, squinting etc - this can help point out what needs to be tweaked.

[Limbo]

you need to relax - frustrated designers don't make good designers.

A couple of books that might help in addition to oli's link:

> Elements of Typographic Style - sometimes verbose but very comprehensive
> Thinking with Type: A Critical Guide for Designers,Writers,Editors,& Students

[Alexanda]

Fuckin hell you can talk, why not just ask whats the best way to kern?
Anyway the best way to set type (i've learnt and had it repeated off some v.good designers) is to squint, if it's dark grey it's to close together if it's light grey it's to far apart. You should look for a consistant shade all the way across your sentance, your eyes will stop on the darker light shades etc. Although you'll never get it bob on – to know how to kern one font to perfection can take years to master just imagine a whole suitcase.

[rightclick]

Hey, Thanks people. Replies, links, advice and recomondations are great, much appreciated. Haha, I can type a bit, just a long, boring lunch that needed filling. Besides, I see too many one line posts/new threads in forums and it fucks me off that people never put anything of substance down for others to read, and add anything to the forums integrity. Maybe in 8 months time, some new member will come along and read it and think thank god for that. Oo, and some good advice as well.

Oli << that was a really good link and was very, very useful.

[Narate]

There loads of little tips and tricks you need to know.

Things like capitals need to be set looser then the body type to help with fluid reading and that letters in bold have a slight illusion dip in x-height so they need tinkering with...it goes on...Just get a Spiekermann book, hes top.

[j_polo9]

i like the logo font and lettering bible. might be worth picking up, or browsing at your local bookstore. Some good stuff on kerning and squinting techiniques :P

[rightclick]

Originally Posted by Narate

There loads of little tips and tricks you need to know.

Things like capitals need to be set looser then the body type to help with fluid reading and that letters in bold have a slight illusion dip in x-height so they need tinkering with...it goes on...Just get a Spiekermann book, hes top.

Yeah, Stop Stealing Sheep. I own that one, was the only book ever recommended by the Uni that I read.