Sample: Overview

When talking about type, it’s useful to have some familiarity with the terminology used to describe the different parts of a typeface’s design. Although it’s true that some terms are very specific, and might only seem relevant when discussing certain parts of a letter (shoulder, spine, foot, etc.), many are essential when we consider typography as a whole, such as the vertical proportions (x-height, baseline, and cap height), or shapes that influence further typographic adjustments (ascenders, descenders, small caps, etc.).