Type Categories, part 04: Script

We’ve moved our regular installment of Type Categories to Wednesday this week, due to the urgency and excitement we had for the U2 concert post. Today’s lesson is about everybody’s favorite curvy type: Scripts!

Scripts range from formal and traditional to casual and contemporary. The original formal scripts were high-contrast cursive forms that were based on flexible pointed pen handwriting. Typically the lower case letters are connected and have generously-sized, or over-sized capital letters.

Script, circa 1550

Originally script letters were an attempt to replicate engraved calligraphic forms. When you’re considering using a script, please remember that it is not appropriate for lengthy text sections, it has however, enjoyed wide acceptance when used in shorter applications. Formal Script examples shown here are: Kuenstler Script, and Snell Roundhand.

Here at Reddoor we use scripts occasionally and only when appropriate. Since we have a number of clients in the wedding photography industry, we find that most of them would rather avoid formal scripts, since they’ve become fairly expected to their clientele. All that to say, a good script is appropriate in the right situation, even in the wedding photography market. Here are two samples of work we’ve done for ourselves or for a client: Lightschoop. Click on the image to see it in use on the site.

Even in this digital age there are still masters of hand crafted lettering. One current master of scripts is Doyald Young. He can occasionally be found instructing students at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena and has published several beautiful books, and is a sought after custom font and logo designer. You can find excerpts from his “Dangerous Curves” book here.

Information cited from: A Type Primer by John Kane and Fonts and Logos by Doyald Young