NatHist Glyph Specimen Book

Introduction 

 

The project held the intentions of allowing one to develop understanding about operations and functions of printed and written words from both theoretical and practical perspectives. The Integrated Project is intended to encourage a development within a range fo skills in the construction of type forms and glyph forms. This project will be delivered through a series of tutorials as well as workshops and independent study. 

 

Definition and overall understanding

 

The definition of glyph design - “In typography, a glyph is an elemental symbol within an agreed set of symbols, intended to represent a readable character for the purpose of writing.” A glyph could be a pictogram, of which conveys a specific action or object with a picture. It also has the ability to be an ideogram, this is when the symbol is intended to invoke a thought, and intended idea. 

 

Within typography, the definition of a glyph is am elemental symbol which upholds an agreed set of symbols, which intend to represent as a readable character with the purpose of writing. Meaning it is the specific shape and composition of a letter in a particular typeface or font. The meaning of the letter remains constant throughout a variety of typographical presentations, whilst the letter can look different as it is represents by different typefaces. 

 

The brief for this project asks for the cohort to imagine that writing has been forgotten or does not yet exist within our culture. Therefore requires us to fulfil six set stages which emulate the emergence of writing towards its mechanised form. This must be demonstrated stage by stage, working sequentially.