Manual: Spaces
2 days ago
- #typography
- #design
- #whitespace
- Space (whitespace) is a crucial typographic element that separates letters, words, and lines.
- Types of spaces include sinkage, indent, leading, word spacing, and letter spacing.
- Word spacing became common in Latin script by the 7th century.
- In metal type, spaces were tangible metal pieces with widths defined by em or point size.
- Digital typography retains historical space types, though standard space is most commonly used.
- Word space width is determined by typeface designers and affects text rhythm and readability.
- Non-breaking spaces prevent line breaks and are essential in languages like Russian for connecting elements.
- Additional spaces (em, en, thin, hair, etc.) allow fine adjustments in professional typesetting.
- Justified text requires variable word spacing, which must be manually adjusted for uniformity.
- Double spaces after periods are outdated and considered poor typographic practice.
- Spaces in layout influence text structure, readability, and aesthetics, varying by font and context.
- Professional software like InDesign supports various space types, but their rendering can differ across platforms.