Before Class 02/18/10

Chapter 7 & 8

Chapter 7 studies the Renaissance period and the evolution of graphic design and printmaking across Germany, Italy, and France. It also highlights some of the most influential figures in design's history. The Renaissance revolutionized type design, page layout, ornaments, illustration, and the design of the book. In Italy, Venice was an important city because it was closest to the Eastern world and the rest of Europe. Johannes de Spira traveled to Venice and stayed there for five years. During this time he created a much more readable roman font and was also the first to include page numbers on a book. He made books easier to read by designing spaces between letters, words, and overall layout. Egyptian hieroglyphics also had a revival as more people began stamping their trademark designs onto books. Design also began to include ornate floral decoration of wildflowers and vines. The first title page to a book was included in 1476 by Erhard Ratdolt. The subject matter of books changed from religious material to math and sciences. Once confusing and troubling issues about eclipses and the cosmos could now be explained by scientists in books. This led to people no longer fearing natural phenomenon's in nature. "A new concern for human potential" was the new subject matter in books. Instructions and how to create things were put into books therefore revealing human's capabilites in the math's and sciences, rather than leaving everything up to God. Manutius was an important figure because he saw the need for smaller, pocket sized books to be created using smaller text. Calligraphers also became important figures in Italy because state and business documents needed to be created. However, this was short lived in Italy because France invaded and began a 50-year war with Italy in 1527. King Francis of France encouraged the Renaissance attitudes of Italy and gave "generous support" to humanists, authors, and visual artists. Book design really took off in France and this became known as the "golden age of typography." However there were conflicts with religious leaders who wanted to censor the material being printed.
One of the most important figures was Geoffery Toy he worked until he was 81 designing, illustrating, engraving, and selling books. He transformed roman capital letters. His creation Horae was an important creation because it had an "innovative attitude toward form, and a precise harmony of...text, capital initials, borders, and illustrations." Books began to look much more like what they do today. He wrote and published his own books about the "science of proper and true proportions." it included how to form letters and how to properly pronounce them. This man was completely and utterly devoted to typography and training the best to learn after him.
Chapter 8
The 17th century was somewhat chaotic for typography and design. The French king Louis XIV reinstated academicians to study previous types and recreate a new design. A mathematical approach was taken and a square was divided into units of 2,304 tiny squares. The type created had fewer calligraphic strokes because it was created with a chisel. This type of font was also only available for the King to use on official documents. Other typefounders were careful not to copy it. In 1702, the Medailles folio was created which showed the new type of font which was "transitional roman." The art and architecture from 1720-1770 was known as rococo. It was made up of complex designs inspired by nature and "S" and "C" curves. in 1737 Fournier de Jeune tried to decrease the complexities of type and design going on a created a "table of proportions."
Englishmen John Pine was an amazing engraver and created some beautiful works as the "chief engraver of seals for the King of England."
This most interesting thing I learned from Chapters 7 & 8 was learning that phenomenon's like eclipses could finally be explained in books and quiet people's fears. Knowledge is power!
I would be curious to know why there were no female typographer or engravers.