Photocomposition is a method of setting type by projecting light through a master film negative, which contains every character in a font, onto light-sensitive paper. From Les caractères de l’Imprimerie Nationale. Garamont, also known as ‘caractères de l’Université’ from 1530s in 6 and 36 points scaled to the same size. In the old days, when type was still made from a physical material, letters were always designed in a specific size, which ensured the appropriate amount of white space was left between letters. Conversely, when the text is used in larger sizes, the space between the letters can be reduced, thus helping readers by improving the flow of the text. When the text is used in small sizes, plenty of space is required between the letters to make sure that the shapes do not blend into each other, that they retain their unique silhouettes. So what’re really saying with that comment to the Type & Media students is that they should stop focusing solely on shapes of letters and instead look at how they work in text.Ĭonsistent white space around the letters is the essence of comfortable reading. When someone comments that a certain typeface works well in text, it is a comment about the spacing of the typeface rather than the shape of the letters. The job of a type designer is not to draw individual characters but to design text. Spacing is essentially the glue that turns letters into words. In font editing software, this is also called glyph sidebearings, a term borrowed from the days of metal type.
But what is spacing, also called letter fitting? A type designer will usually draw the black mass of letters – and the spacing is what surrounds those letters – the white space on the left and right of them. And the reverse is also true: even the most beautifully drawn typeface can look unconvincing when the spacing isn’t quite right.
Because even the most unconventional letter shapes can be improved dramatically by ensuring consistent white space distribution. As per most jokes, this one is based on a repeated observation. There’s a running joke on the Type & Media course that I teach, that no matter which student’s typeface we are looking at, the feedback will always be: ‘you should work more on your spacing’.
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