ESSENCIALS

The fact that the typeface used in books read by Europeans in the 16th century and the type we read on screens in the 21st century are still the same design centuries after the passage of time is something that makes us feel the depth of culture. The timeless universality of type and the changing, sophisticated flow of type design are also fascinating aspects of type. Here, we will introduce some of the standard typefaces that can be used as digital fonts today.

Garamond

  • Country of Origin: France
  • Clasification:Oldstyle Serif
  • Designer:Cloud Graramon Robert Granjon

Garamond is a metal type produced by Claude Garamond in 16th century France.Garamond was the most influential type maker in Europe during the Renaissance period of the 16th and 17th centuries.His type is representative of the old face, with its soft impression of organic curves and a universal look that is comfortable to read and free of peculiarities. As a classic typeface, it is used by people all over the world today for its elegant and poetic impression.There are several kind of current digital fonts bearing the Garamond name. In the 20th centuryThe Garamond typefaces that were reprinted differed from each other in the various foundries, especially the type of Jean Janon, who worked after Garamond’s death, and some of the fonts that referred to them differed from the originals because they had long been treated as Garamond’s. On the other hand, the Garamond typefaces that were reprinted in the early 20th century differed from the originals because they were based on the type of Jean Janon. On the contrary, some fonts were designed based on the original type, such as Sabon and Granjon, which do not bear the Garamond name.


Caslon

  • Country of Origin France
  • ClasificationOldstyle Serif
  • DesignerCloud Graramon Robert Granjon

Caslon is a metal typeface produced by English type maker William Caslon in the first half of the 18th century.In the Movavle type era, it was said, “When in doubt, use Caslon.” It has become the default choice of serif fonts for many designers, especially in the English-speaking world. It is so standard that it is considered a good idea to use Caslon unless you have a special intention to use it.The impression is dignified and stable. The typeface is easy to read and familiar, and has a wide range that makes it a standard typeface. It was brought to the United States by Benjamin Franklin during the British colonial period and used in the Declaration of Independence, and is still widely used in the United States and other English-speaking countries for both formal and popular items.Among digital fonts based on the original Caslon typeface, Adobe Caslon has a reputation for faithfully reflecting the intent of the original. If you are using a font that is larger than the body text, we recommend that you use this font in conjunction with Big Caslon or Caslon 540.


Baskerville

  • Country of Origin France
  • ClasificationOldstyle Serif
  • DesignerCloud Graramon Robert Granjon

Baskerville is a metal typeface created by John Baskerville in England in the mid-18th century.“the Strokes of your Letters being too thin and narrow , hurt the eye…”was the most perfect example of the unconventional design and precision of the letters at the time. To achieve this precision, Baskerville made improvements not only in metal type, but also in paper and ink to create a more beautiful and comprehensive printing process. However, it was not accepted by the conservative British aesthetic of the time, and its success in the United States and France, where it was introduced by Benjamin Franklin, was to have a profound influence on later generations. It is classified as a transitional typeface, a typeface that takes up the space between the classic 200-year-old Old Face and the modern face that emerged later in this period.The impression is very elegant and noble, both new and traditional, and it is still used today in the text of books on literature and other subjects.Many foundries have produced digital fonts based on this typeface, most commonly ITC New Baskerville, but also some with a feminine twist, such as Mrs. Eves, named after Baskerville’s wife.


Bodoni

  • Country of Origin France
  • ClasificationOldstyle Serif
  • DesignerCloud Graramon Robert Granjon

Bodoni is a metal type created by Giambattista Bodoni in Italy in the late 18th century.Bodoni’s type, known as modern face, was designed with more contrasting stroke widths and a more linear, geometric orientation than the old face that had been used for the previous 200 years or so. Bodoni learned a great deal from his study of Baskerville type, which he further developed into a design for a new era.The major difference between modern and old face is the difference between the ideal of the line created by man and his tools in calligraphy and the ideal of the abstract geometric line. It is a very modern aesthetic that is the result of a combination of advances in casting technology and the demands of a modernized society. Although the typeface has a strong meaning as a turning point that marked a major direction, its refined and evolved beauty as a typeface is still used today with universality.Digital fonts based on this typeface are available from various foundries. Beauer Bodoni and ITC Bodoni are particularly well regarded as faithful reproductions of the original.