The Gutenberg Revolution (15th Century – 18th Century)
- After the end of Calligraphic Phase, we saw the rise of The Gutenberg Revolution. This Revolution is named after Johannes Gutenberg who invented the movable type printing press in the mid 15th century and this invention marked a pivotal moment in the history of typography.
- The invention of movable type printing press allowed the mass production of books and printed materials, making knowledge more accessible to a broader audience. Along with that this invention made the typography accessible to everyone.
- The early printed books, known as incunabula, were using blackletter and roman typefaces. However, as printing technology evolved new typeface designs emerged such as the Venetian and Aldine roman typefaces, these typefaces aimed for greater legibility and clarity.
- During this period, typographic innovations were also driven by the needs of the printing industry. Typographic designers like Claude Garamond, William Caslon, and John Baskerville created typefaces that were optimized for the printing processes of their time, considering factors like ink distribution and paper quality.
History and Evolution of Typography
Typography is and has been an integral part of communication. These days, we as designers focus a lot on the typography of the text and this phenomenon of emphasizing on the typography is not new. This has been followed from the ancient hieroglyphics written on stone to the digital typography on our screens. In this article, we will discuss what Typography is and what has been the History and Evolution of Typography.
Table of Content
- What is Typography?
- History and Evolution of Typography
- 1. Calligraphic Phase (3000 B.C. – 15th Century)
- 2. The Gutenberg Revolution (15th Century – 18th Century)
- 3. The Age of Enlightenment (18th Century – 19th Century)
- 4. The Modern Era (20th Century – Present)
- Conclusion