MIL: Lesson 12: Text Information and Media

• Text - is a simple and flexible format of presenting information or conveying ideas whether handwritten, printed or displayed on-screen.
• Text - is very powerful as well in disseminating information, providing direction and giving suggestions.
• Text - is available in different sources whether it is formal (news articles, published books, newspapers, magazines, advertisements, research works, etc.) or informal (blogs, personal emails, SMS or text messages, online messengers, social media platforms, etc).
• Formal text-based - materials are created and distributed by established institutions (such as publishing companies, news agencies, etc.) and go through a rigorous process of editing or evaluation and are usually governed by censorship of the state.
• Informal text-based - materials, on the other hand, come from personal opinions or views on different issues, processes, etc.
• Informal text-based - materials are produced by individuals who have access to computers and other digital devices with internet connection and can be easily shared via email, blogs, websites, social networking sites, instant messaging services, among others.
• Typeface (also called font, font type, or type) refers to the representation or style of a text in the digital format.
• A typeface is usually comprised of alphabets, numbers, punctuation marks, symbols and other special characters.
• When fonts are installed in the computer, they usually come in file formats such as True Type Font (.ttf), Open Type Font (.otf), etc.
• Types of Typefaces:

  • Serif
  • San Serif
  • Slab Serif
  • Script
  • Decorative
• Font Size – The size of the letters/characters that appear when displayed on screen or printed on paper.
• Serif - This font is usually used for the body text of books, newspapers, magazines and research publication.
• Serif - give a classic or elegant look when used for title or heading.
• Examples of Serif: Times New Roman, Garamond, Baskerville
• Sans serif - brings a clean or minimalist look to the text.
• Sans Serif - This font is used for clear and direct meaning of text such as road signage, building directory or nutrition facts in food packages.
• Sans serif - give a modern look and is used primarily in web page design.
• Examples of Sans serif: Arial, Helvetica, Tahoma, Verdana, Calibri
• Slab serif - carries a solid or heavy look to text.
• Slab serif - This dont can be used for large advertising sign in billboards.
• Serif - this typeface is commonly used on printed materials like books, magazines, newspapers, brochures, posters, etc.
• Script - draws much attention to itself because of its brush-like strokes.
• Slab serif - This must be used sparingly and not to be used in large body text.
• Slab serif - This font is usually used in wedding invitation cards or other formal events.
• Examples of Slab serif: Edwardian, Vladimir, Kunstler
• Display or decorative - caters to a wide variety of emotions (such as celebration, fear, horror, etc.) or themes (such as cowboys, circus, holidays, summer, kiddie, etc.)
• Examples of Decorative: Chiller, Jokerman, Curlz MT
• Design principles and elements:

  • Emphasis
  • Appropriateness
  • Proximity
  • Alignment
  • Organization
  • Repetition
  • Contrast
• Emphasis - refers to the importance or value given to a part of the text-based content.
• Emphasis - When trying to make a point or highlighting a message, you can make the text bold, italicized, have a heavier weight, darkened or lightened (depending on your background color) or enlarged.
• Appropriateness - refers to how fitting or suitable the text is used for a specific audience, purpose or event.
• Appropriateness - In the creation of text-based content, make sure that the selection criteria (tone, style, purpose, clarity) is followed.
• Appropriateness - As for the choice of typefaces to be used, refer to the discussion of the characteristics of the fonts.
• Appropriateness - When it comes to large body text, the font should be clear enough to read.
• Proximity - refers to how near or how far are the text elements from each other. When two things are closely related, we bring them close together. Otherwise, we put text elements far from each other.
• Proximity - For example, the main title and subtitle are usually placed close to each other.
• Alignment - refers to how the text is positioned in the page.
• Alignment - This can be left, right, center or justified.
• Organization - refers to a conscious effort to organize the different text elements in a page.
• Organization - ensures that while some text elements are separated from each other (based on the principle of proximity), they are still somehow connected with the rest of the elements in the page.