Typography for Illustrators: 11. Display Type Classifications

Display Type

Display typestyles are used specifically for short, bold statements such as titles and headlines. They usually present conspicuous design traits to attract a reader and form a stylistic impression or an identity for the statement. Due to their eccentricity, display typefaces are difficult to read in situations calling for more than eight to twelve words. Many styles can be quite illegible in text form. The original development of display type parallels the adoption of sans-serif typestyles, which date from the early 19th century, and have been in constant production to the present. The letterform configurations include every classification of proportioning and ornamentation in existence and many that defy all established conventions as well.

It should also be noted that Serif, Sans Serif, Script, and Gothic text styles can, and often are, used at larger sizes for display type purposes.

Layout courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Layout courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Layout courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Layout courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Layout courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Layout courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Modified Type

Modified types are adaptations of established fonts that are used for very special design purposes as well as uses such as single letters, single words, or very short titles. As in display type, the origins of Modified types were primarily in the 19th century, however there are examples of the inline and outline types appearing in medieval manuscripts. The proportioning and general appearance usually conforms to the type family the specialty type is adapted from. In today’s vernacular Modified type can be referred to as derivative type. Modified type is available as resident fonts in software and downloadable true type fonts. It can also be created on the fly by applying effects and alterations to existing fonts.

Layout courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Layout courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Layout courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Layout courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Layout courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Layout courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.