Glyphs, allographs, and grapheme

01Jul08

Every second grader with the misfortune of taking a field trip to a site of historical reenactment knows how the terms upper case and lower case became part of the English vocabulary.  A certain type of person is able to recognize the Irvin typeface made popular by  at a glance.  The most diehard font-junkies prefer the designation of graffiti writer to graffiti artist, and may distinguish between the work of various “writers” while barrelling down Interstate 95.                    

P22 Corinthia by IHOF

Even if you’ve never heard of the Free Font Movement, you may be interested in exploring a few of the resources available for downloading, designing, and getting creative with typography.

  • FontStruct is an easy to use font-building tool that offers downloads, cloning, and embedding depending upon the artist’s willingness to share.
  • Type is Art created an interactive, public tool (flash required) that allows users to abstract letterforms and construct images, by rearranging and resizing common character parts.  You’ll learn a thing or two in the process.  For instance, did you know that the Spur refers to “the small projection off a main stroke, found on many capital G’s?”  I swear upon my very soul that designing new shapes with old letter parts is great fun.  Here’s my proof. 
  • I Love Typography is a blog that will make you look at your shampoo bottle differently.

I leave you with an offering from the Font Wall:

 FF Celeste Sans National Karmina Candy Script Brasserie font Paradigm from Shinntype Azbuka Sigma Soho Gothic Officina Sans Rosadalia Fakir Giorgio Aaux pro font Aaux pro

 


Filed under: By: Librarian About Town   |  1 Comment
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One Response to “Glyphs, allographs, and grapheme”  

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  1. 1 Adam Jacot de Boinod on August 13, 2009 said:

    Dear Sir

    I wondered if you might like a link to both my Foreign word site and my English word website or press release details of my ensuing book with Penguin Press on amusing and interesting English vocabulary?

    http://www.thewonderofwhiffling.com

    with best wishes

    Adam Jacot de Boinod

    (author of The Meaning of Tingo)

    (www.themeaningoftingo.com)

    adamjacot@fastmail.co.uk

    or wish to include:

    1) THE MEANING OF TINGO
    When photographers attempt to bring out our smiling faces by asking us
    to “Say Cheese”, many countries appear to follow suit with English
    equivalents. In Spanish however they say patata (potato), in Argentinian Spanish whisky, in French steak frites, in Serbia ptica (bird) and in
    Danish appelsin (orange). Do you know of any other varieties from around the world’s languages? See more on http://www.themeaningoftingo.com

    2) THE WONDER OF WHIFFLING

    The Wonder of Whiffling is a tour of English around the globe (with fine
    coinages from our English-speaking cousins across the pond, Down Under
    and elsewhere).
    Discover all sorts of words you’ve always wished existed but never knew,
    such as fornale, to spend one’s money before it has been earned; cagg, a solemn vow or resolution not to get drunk for a certain time; and
    petrichor, the pleasant smell that accompanies the first rain after a
    dry spell.
    Delving passionately into the English language, I also discover why it
    is you wouldn’t want to have dinner with a vice admiral of the narrow
    seas, why Jacobites toasted the little gentleman in black velvet, and
    why a Nottingham Goodnight is better than one from anywhere else. See
    more on http://www.thewonderofwhiffling.com

    with best wishes

    Adam


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