Classifying typographies : now you can !
5.1 THE CHIFFLOT/I.T.I. Classification
Here it is. Simply click on the image below to download a PDF version of it. As it is a PDF, you can print it at any size you want, from a pocket book reminder to a Full A2 poster for your service bureau (oh yes, yes, yes, please!)
Not only does it offer the classification, but each class also has its definition as a sub-title, and there is an example for each one (the word used is the actual name of the typeface used for illustration).
(Note that this pdf file is distributed as a shareware for non-commercial use. Please read the legal infos at the bottom of this page*).
5.2 HOW TO USE THIS CLASSIFICATION ?
We sais it when we began : our major objective was to offers a user-oriented classification, that is not only consistant and clear, but also usefull on day-to-day uses.
Our end-product, has, to my opinion, this essential advantage. Because of its architecture, and because it introduces the treatment dimension in the way we classify typefaces, it allows the user to understand and use typography in a more accurate and efficient way. Now you can envisions ALL the different subtleties of Typography, while choosing a type through the clear intellectual process shown below :
1. What kind of writing am I going to produce ?
a. Text ?
b. Graphics ?
2. What style shall it have ?
a. More or less manual ?
b. More or less modern-looking ?
3. What TREATMENT shall be applied to it ?
4. What TYPE SET and VARIANT of it will best suits my purpose ?
(Note that this process is in fact the same that you will use in the other way round, when classifying a typeface).
5.3 LIMITATIONS AND FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS
There are of course some limitations to this classification. Most of them are about exotic typeforms, and are not really a concern for the average Western user.
We already talked about the first one : this classification doesn't includes the non-alphabetic forms of writing. The reason is simply that we don't know them enough ! But the same work we did shall be done for each one of them.
And we do think that our Manual/Non-manual first level is valid for any form of writing, alphabetical or not, and it shall be used as the basic structure for those alternative writing sub-categories.
The second limitation is similar : because of our limited knowledge, we only included the Alphabetic type genres of the Western world. There are some others, like Corean, indian or Japanese alphabets that may be included.
But for those, the situation is a bit different, as they shall be included within the limits of the Alphabetics. The history of each one of these alphabetical traditions shall be examined to see if some really specific type genres were developped, and if yes, they shall be included at the accurate level.
But one must remember that, for example, most Arabian types can be classified as subdivisions of the Manual/Script category, and that upper-level new classes shall only be created if the type genre really can't be included anywhere else...
The last limitation is of course the one of the refined subdivisions that can be putted up within each class. We stopped there to remain handy for day to day use, but an extended version still has to be done, including the very variations of Runic alphabets, of Uncial variations, etc. Any input is welcome !
In order to go on exploring all these white spaces on the map of the Type World, we'll soon make availiable a specific page that will offers the evergrowing tree of all type forms in this world. this tree will be a collaborative and non-profit project, that will hopefullly grows constantly, either through its roots (exploring the past) than through its branches (going further into the future of typeforms).
And of course, in the meantime, even for the above Western-restricted version of this classification, we would be glad to discuss with you about it, users or typographers, and any improvement or error-spotting is more than welcome !
To do so, please contact us through our Contact page. We'lle be glad, no, we're eagerly waiting for feedback on this!
Thank you for reading us all the way through here, and we hope this work was beneficial to you.
Guillaume-Ulrich Chifflot,
September 1st 2004,
Paris, France.
* The Chifflot/I.T.I. classification is © 01/09/2004 by Guillaume-ulrich Chifflot. The above pdf version of it (the downloadable file named chifflotITI.pdf) is distributed as a shareware, only for non-commercial use. This means that it remains the intellectual property of its author, but that individuals or non-profit organizations are allowed to use it or print it freely, as long as it isn't for commercial purpose.
If you like it, a shareware fee of $10 or 10 Euros is welcome (but I won't find it rude if you may give more !) You can donate very simply through paypal.com using our Paypal id : n9@chifflot.net
The redistribution of this file by any mean, the use and/or the implementation in any way of the Chifflot/I.T.I. classification is strictly forbidden to any commercial structure without the explicit written consent of its author.
|
