Virtual Typography

4.7

4

Job:01212 Title: Basics typography (AVA)

1st Proof Page:112

001-184 01212.indd 112001-184 01212.indd 112 12/19/08 3:09:49 PM12/19/08 3:09:49 PM

Digital typography: 4.7 Coded typography

4.6 Multidisciplinary design

Coded typography

Digital typography does not necessarily require fonts

and computer software applications. Type can also be

constructed from simple graphic shapes, which can

be defi ned through hard coding. Hard coding is the

manipulation of the source code of a computer program.

While graphic designers commonly use existing software

applications for the development of their designs,

programmers use ‘programming environments’ to defi ne

the solutions via programming languages such as Perl,

C++ or Java (not to be confused with JavaScript). In the

mid-1990s, when most graphic designers could only

expand on the growing number of Photoshop layers

or on the 3D plug-ins of their illustration software, John

Maeda, who was at the time Professor of Media Arts

and Sciences at MIT, promoted the concept of creating

typographic solutions through hard coding. Programmers

began to enter the arena of typographic design.

Coded variety

Whereas graphic designers are often worried about

becoming slaves to their tools when using predefi ned

software features, programmers are able to develop

their tools from scratch. But programming methods for

creating type are mostly examined on the basis of what

is technically possible, and not in response to what

forms of typographic expression would be needed to

communicate effectively within digital environments.

This is why many of the highly innovative ideas do not

receive the attention they deserve in the public domain.

What seems crucial is the way in which typographic

information is perceived. Therefore, the following chapter

will discuss the process of reading, the understanding

of which will allow us to evaluate better transitional

typography in the context of visual communication.

Job:01212 Title: Basics typography (AVA)

1st Proof Page:112

001-184 01212.indd 112001-184 01212.indd 112 12/19/08 3:10:31 PM12/19/08 3:10:31 PM