Assignment #3: Giambattista Bodoni

Giambattista Bodoni created the typeface Bodoni in 1798, following the creation of baskerville. It is classified as a Didone Modern meaning it has high contrast, unbraketed hairline serifs, vertical axis, horizontal stress, and small aperture (ilovetypography).

This picture shows in detail, the exact characteristics of Bodoni

Didone typefaces are used for a plethora of things. Their "attitude" is very precise, in control, and unhurried. Bodoni can definitely be used as a call to attention because its horizontal features lead the eye up and down instead of side to side. Bodoni is great for book covers because its elegant features invite the holder to read more (ilovetypography).

 

Not only that, but Bodoni has a nice size family which goes far in terms of design.

Bodoni is also used often in magazines. For example, Vignelli Associates uses Bodoni because he "like[s] design to be semantically correct, syntactically consistent, and pragmatically understandable. [He] like[s] it to be visually powerful, intellectually elegant, and above all timeless" - Massimo Vignelli. Bodoni is timeless, intellectual, elegant, and a very powerful typeface. It is systematically designed, very unlike the humanist letters. When used correctly, Bodoni looks like it should be there, it brings sophistication and draws the eye around the page.

Another interesting point about Bodoni is its style corresponds to the rational period of Enlightenment between the 1700 and 1900s (norah). This explains why Bodoni comes off as mechanical and not hand drawn because thinking rationally means looking to the future of things, not looking in the past.

This is a page from a magazine featuring Bodoni. I visually

enjoy the design int he background using the typface.

Bodoni the designer created over 140 roman fonts and over 115 script fonts meaning that he was really good at what he did. This corresponds to how well made Bodoni is as a whole typeface. Because it is so contrasted, it is one of the hardest fonts to recreate or revive. Bodoni did an excellent job at keeping the face cohesive and beautiful throughout the entire alphabet (illuminating letters).

This is the logo used for Vignelli Magazine.

This is an interesting take on designing with the typeface. All letters are \Bodoni, but they form this very ugly man woman.