Kerning

Kerning

Kerning is the spacing in between the letters in a word and it is a lot more important that some may think. Back in the Renaissance, Da Vinci used geometric shapes to outline the correlation of the perfect human form. This technique was further developed and used by fine artists to define features in letterforms, such as where serifs and wars go, how high and low the ascenders and descenders are and also the distance in the kerning. Artists like Johann Neudorffer helped constructed his alphabet using grids like that.

Kerning and the whole positioning of the type forms is very important, especially in today's world with logos and such flying around all of the place. I carried out an experiment to display how important it really is to have the kerning correct and what it can translate to others if the letters are placed randomly.

This first example displays a very formal way to present the word here. The kerning isn't too far apart and the whole word is very straight and within the guidelines. For instance this would be a good logo design for something quite formal such as a supermarket or a funeral director.

This second one is quite similar to the previous one, still using quite sensible a kerning however, one of the letters is reversed giving the whole type a slightly more informal look then before. In context, this could be used as a logo for a fancy business or even an IT related business to be specific. It wouldn't just have to be used for businesses though, it could also be used for luxury fashion for instance. I say luxury fashion instead of just and normal fashion as is still carries a formal aspect while being slightly unique and individual compared to just a normal word written down.

This final one is very messy and had little thought into the process of the letter placement. The whole form does not follow any guidelines and the kerning is all over the place. This is not necessarily a bad thing though as this could perfectly be used as a logo for a children's television show or for a nursery for instance. I say this because the whole thing gives quite a playful feel almost like a child has arranged these letters. So it may seem very informal, which it is to a certain extent, but in the context of something that would appeal to children this is as formal as it gets.