Task 1.1 - Bodoni Typeface (3/16)

The History of Bodoni

This font was named after Giamattista Bodoni (1740-1813) knows also as the 'King of Printers'. Bodoni is a serif typeface with a slightly condensed and more vertical upper case.  Some characteristics include "the square dot over the letter “i”, and a double storey “a”. The capital “Q’s” tail is centered under the figure, and the uppercase “J” has a slight hook. Also, there are two versions of the uppercase “R”, one with a straight tail and one with a curved tail." (ifoundmedinosaurs, 2011)

Bodoni "decided that letters should be created by the combination of a limited number of identical units". (Rifai,2004)

Bodoni is considered as one of the first modern typefaces used for posters, headlines and logos. It is also popular in the fashion industry.

Famous brands using Bodoni

It has been widely used since the eighteenth century especially in Italian books. In the twenty-first century, Bodoni is mostly used in advertising especially in magazine covers.

Personal thought: Bodoni is a Serif font which has a baseline and a capline. One can notice the apex in the letter A and the hairline in various letters ; N, U, V, W etc. This means that this typeface is made from different line weights. One can also notice the link in the 'g' which connects the 'loop' and the 'bowl' of this letter. There is also a clear example of a spine in the letter 's'.

Evolution of the Latin Alphabet, 2014. Bodoni  [ONLINE] Available at: http://alphabetevolution.rifai.ru/pages/bodoni_16.htm#. [Accessed 21 April 2014].

ifoundmedinosaurs, 2014. Bodoni: The History of Being Awesome [ONLINE] Available at: http://ifoundmedinosaurs.wordpress.com/2011/11/25/bodoni-the-history-of/. [Accessed 21 April 2014].