Key Terms from Lecture #1: Making Language Visible Sign: an object indicating the probable presence or occurrence of something else; an indication.

Transcription

1 Key Terms from Lecture #1: Making Language Visible Sign: an object indicating the probable presence or occurrence of something else; an indication. Symbol: a thing that represents or stands for something else, especially a material object representing something abstract. "the limousine was another symbol of his wealth and authority" Syllabary: a set of written characters representing syllables and (in some languages or stages of writing) serving the purpose of an alphabet Conventionalization: to simplify or stylize; taking characteristics and reducing them to motifs. there is always a process of abstraction required. Schematize: to form into or arrange in a scheme.

2 Pictogram: a pictorial symbol for a word or phrase

3 Ideogram: a written character symbolizing the idea of a thing without indicating the sounds used to say it, eg, numerals

4 Rebus: a puzzle in which words are represented by combinations of pictures and individual letters

5 400 AD Image0 [Field Data] Field name: Collection Value: Visual Resources Collection Field name: Title Value: Comparison of Square Capitals and Rustic Capitals Field name: Date Value: 400 Field name: Culture Value: Roman, Late Antique Field name: Classification Value: Graphic Design: Calligraphy Field name: Subject Value: Type Design--Calligraphy Field name: Description Value: The Roman written hand took several design styles. The most important is the capitalis quadrata, which were widely used from the second century A.D. until the fifth century. Written carefully and slowly with a flat pen, square capitals had stately proportions and outstanding lefibility. The space between lines and letters was generous, but there was no space left between words. The letters were written between two horizontal baselines, and the F and L extended slightly above this line. The letter designs are amazingly similar to the letters we call capitals today. Serifs were added with the pen and strengthened the ends of the strokes. Rustic capitals, like these from the Vergil manuscript, were composed of letters formed while a flat-nibbed pen was held in an almost vertical position, creating a staccato rhythym of thin verticals contrasting with elliptical round and arched diagonal strokes. Field name: Assigned Terms Value: Typography / Calligraphy Field name: Assigned Terms Value: Graphic Communications Field name: Assigned Terms Value: Visual Communications Field name: Image Source Value: Z244.5 M , figure 3-19, 3-20 Field name: Rights Value: Educational Use (Can be Printed) on Closed Network

6 500 AD Image1 Field Data Collection Visual Resources Collection Title Half uncials Date 500 Classification Graphic Design: Calligraphy Subject Type Design--Calligraphy Description A step toward the development of minuscules (small or "lowercase" letterforms) was the semiuncial or half-uncial. Four guidelines instead of two were used, and strokes were allowed to soar above and sink below the two principal lines, creating true ascenders and descenders. The pen was held flatly horizontal to the baseline, which gave the forms a strong vertical axis. Half uncials were easy to write and had increased legibility because the visual differentiation between letters was improved. Although some half-uncials appeared in the third century A.D., they did not flourish until the late sixth century. Assigned Terms Typography / Calligraphy Assigned Terms Graphic Communications Assigned Terms Visual Communications Image Source Z244.5 M , fig. 4-3 Rights Educational Use (Can be Printed) on Closed Network Century 6th C. Image ID Resolution Size 5 Format JP2 Media Type Image File Name 69268d.jp2 Width 2476 Height 656

7 Carolingian Minuscules and Majuscules, 8th c. Charlemagne, king of the Franks, became Holy Roman Emperor in 800, uniting the whole of central Europe. Charlemagne introduced the feudal system, where landowners held dictatorial power over the workers, the peasants. Charlemagne ignited a great period of learning in the arts, recruiting Alcuin of York to come to his palace in Aachen and establish a school. Manuscripts of the time were difficult to impossible to read, Alcuin standardized layouts and improved the script styles for increased legibility.

8 Image0 [Field Data] Field name: Collection Value: Visual Resources Collection Field name: Title Value: Book of Kells, Folio 34r, Chi-Rho monogram Field name: Variant Title Value: Christi Autem Generatio Field name: Style/Period Value: Early Medieval, Hiberno-Saxon Field name: Classification Value: Manuscript Field name: Repository Name Value: Dublin, Trinity College Field name: Subject Value: Nativity Field name: Subject Value: Illuminated Books Field name: Subject Value: Type Design--Calligraphy Field name: Subject Value: Book and Publication Design--History of the Book Field name: Description Value: The actual dates of production for this Latin manuscript range from the seventh to the tenth centuries. Though a monastic tradition of copying sacred texts had existed for many years, this book was unique in its degree of ornamentation, minute detail, bright colors, and elaborate lettering. The symbolic illustrations and embellishments were included to increase legibility and add splendor to the icons of Christianity. Probably the most famous image from the Book of Kells is this ancient Greek symbol, the Chi-Rho, which introduces Matthew's account of the birth of Jesus. Field name: Assigned Terms Value: New Testament Field name: Assigned Terms Value: Christian Field name: Assigned Terms Value: Typography / Calligraphy Field name: Assigned Terms Value: Graphic Communications Field name: Assigned Terms Value: Visual Communications Field name: Image Source Value: Meehan, 'The Book of Kells' 1994, pl.27 Field name: Rights Value: Educational Use (Can be Printed) on Closed Network Field name: Country Value: Ireland

9 13th c. Title Gothic calligraphy Variant Title Black-letter hand Classification Graphic Design: Calligraphy Subject Type Design--Calligraphy Assigned Terms Typography / Calligraphy Assigned Terms Graphic Communications Assigned Terms Visual Communications Image Source Z4 O , p.74 Rights Educational Use (Can be Printed) on Closed Network Century 13th C. Image ID Resolution Size 5 Format JP2 Media Type Image File Name 68440d.jp2 Width 1771 Height 1774