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Typeface Classifications
From Jacci Howard Bear, About.com Guide
Study the basic classifications of type, what they look like and how they evolved.
POLL: Is learning / knowing typeface classifications important?
1) Yes, definitely. All designers should know this stuff.
2) A few basics won't hurt, but in-depth knowledge isn't necessary
3) As long as I like the font, I don't care how it's classified.
Study the basic classifications of type, what they look like and how they evolved.
POLL: Is learning / knowing typeface classifications important?
1) Yes, definitely. All designers should know this stuff.
2) A few basics won't hurt, but in-depth knowledge isn't necessary
3) As long as I like the font, I don't care how it's classified.
Blackletter
Defines and illustrates blackletter type.
Italic
Think you know what italic type is? Check it out.
Modern
Defines this kind of type.
Old Style
Defines this type style.
Roman
How much Roman type do you read each day? Find out.
Sans Serif
Learn what Sans Serif is and what it looks like.
Serif
Here's the basic definition and an illustration of Serif.
Slab Serif
Defines this style of type that includes Clarendon and Typewriter fonts.
abc typography
This virtual museum of typography places typefaces into four broad categories: classical (1480-1890), 20th Century, Contemporary, and Unclassified.
Adobe Type Library: Type Classifications
Here's how Adobe organizes its fonts. Each category includes a brief description along with how each group of fonts is typically or a little history of the category.
Fontscape
This font directory is included here because of its somewhat different approach to categorizing fonts including by mood, period, appearance, and simulation. The also include more traditional typeface classifications.
IBM Font Class Parameters
Similar to the ISO/IEC/9541-1 Annex A categories but with a few subclasses combined or further subclasses added. Basically it's Oldstyle, Transitional, Modern, Clarendon, Slab, Freeform, Sans Serif, Ornamentals, Scripts, Symbolic.
ISO/IEC/9541-1 Annex A
The Typeface Design Grouping of the Font Resource Management standard uses Uncial, Inscriptional, Blackletter, Serif, Sans Serif, Script, Ornamentals, and Symbols and Ornaments plus a variety of sub-classes for type.
Little Typeface Primer
This lengthy page takes a look at traditional typeface classifications. Includes illustrations, descriptions, and variations.
Typeface Classification
The Font Pool has an excellent timeline plus illustrations, breakdowns, and descriptions of one way to classify fonts.