Typography, Symbol Design, and Layout (Art College Series Textbooks)

Author: Dang Sheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-03-01
Features: This textbook is written for design majors in art academies. We have attempted bold changes and adjustments in the content and structure of the course, adhering to the principle of abandoning the teaching model centered on "writing artistic calligraphy" and focusing on the comprehensive handling of texts and the creative expression through textual symbols. The book introduces the basic knowledge of Chinese and Western printing fonts, emphasizes the principles and methods of layout design, and covers the visual communication functions and symbolic meanings of text and graphic symbols. Considering the nature of the course, the authors believe that the main focus should be on teaching foundational knowledge and cultivating thinking methods. For higher-level specialized knowledge and more complex issues in design practice, they are either omitted or included within the established framework. Additionally, we have striven to adhere to a guideline of avoiding empty theoretical elaborations and comprehensive categorical analyses. Modern design has developed to a point where there are numerous schools and complex theories. Listing various styles or vaguely speaking of "the laws of formal beauty" would be of little help to beginners and might even overwhelm them. In light of this, the book can only focus on introducing standardized and operational procedures and methods, making it difficult to cover everything else. It is believed that only through "necessity" can one move toward "freedom."