typographique

Typographique refers to typography, the design and arrangement of type for printed and digital text. It encompasses the choice of typefaces, the spacing and alignment of characters, and the overall visual style that supports legibility and communication. The term is used in French-speaking contexts to describe both the craft of type design and the typographic practices that shape pages, screens, and materials.

Historically, typographic practice began with movable type in the 15th century and evolved through hot metal typesetting to phototypesetting and, since the late 20th century, digital typography. Important milestones include the development of serif and sans-serif families, standardized metrics, and the emergence of type design movements such as Didot, Bodoni, and Garamond. Modern typographic work also involves system fonts, variable fonts, and the emergence of responsive design.

Key concepts include the distinction between typeface (the design) and font (a usable version of the design); metrics such as baseline, x-height, ascenders and descenders; and adjustments like kerning, tracking, and leading that control horizontal and vertical spacing. Readability and legibility guide decisions about size, contrast, color, line length, and hierarchy.

In the digital realm, typographic practice relies on font formats (TrueType, OpenType) and technologies (CSS, layout engines, web fonts) to render text consistently across devices. Accessibility considerations, such as adjustable text size and sufficient contrast, are integral to typographique. The field remains a balance between technical constraints, aesthetic priorities, and clear communication.