subject: History Across Scripts [print this page] Our everyday lives consist of many various big and little things, which invest a lot in peoples vision of reality and life. We might see something peculiar and do not look at obvious things, but it does not mean they do not exist and affect humans. That is the case with scripts and texts: people see them everywhere, but do not pay attention to much. However, if you are a designer or typographer you notice some remarks, defects or, on the contrary, benefits and merit of this particular art. It promotes, announces, warns, advises on every billboard on the streets, and, therefore, contributes into life a lot.
It is possible to say that typography is, probably, one of the oldest artistic trends known beginning from handwritten calligraphy up to typography and printing. Such evolution led to development of certain font and the whole font families, united due to some similar features and characteristics. The best example of historic development of writing is to look over books with historic content, where the timeline significance distinguished by usage of old-fashioned fonts. Compare and find the difference. Perhaps, no one can deny that the time gap is totally visible.
If to speak about ancient times, it is impossible not to underline the appearance of several font families used nowadays widely. It is primarily associated with Roman Capital. The fact is that Romans were accustomed to write with capital letters solely, which led a path to this font breaking through the history and being one of the most used in design. Middle Ages are often related to Gothic revolution, occurred in every field of culture: fine arts, architecture, literature and handwriting as well. Moreover, Gothic fonts became so popular at the time that they were established as national ones in Germany. The name itself was invented in the 15th century by Italian humanists of the Renaissance age, who considered these fonts being "barbaric" ("Goths" - the name of the ancient Germanic tribes who did not have related tracing letters).
Speaking of the Renaissance, it also encouraged the appearance of Antiqua or Serif font family, which was modified during the era of Classicism in art and literature; in particular, the classic serif was promoted, which differs from the old one with thin strokes and long serifs.
On the basis of a new serif many beautiful, ornamental fonts were used in the era of romanticism that are currently used as an decorative. Modern Antiqua fonts are nothing more than a modification of the fonts that are based on the Roman Capital and the classic serif.
