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head serif

serif-stroke joint

foot serif

The serif most likely originated as a way
to formally end a stroke in hand-drawn
letters. When the broad-tipped quill pen
finished a stroke, a slight pause produced
an extra amount of ink that eventually
developed into the serif. This visual
characteristic was eventually designed
into printing typefaces.

15th C.

16th C.

serif anatomy

serif-stroke joint

sans (without) serif

Letterforms who proudly wear serifs can
often be traced to the specific historic
contexts from which they came.

17th С

One of the main identifying characteristics of a letterform
is the SERIF. Tins unassuming appendage has become a mark
of dignity in what has devolved into a digitally-intoxicated,
image-conscious, superficial world.

joinery

The serif-stroke joinery is the intersection
of a stroke with a serif. Generally, the
joinery is either transitive, with a smooth
transition, or abrupt, with a distinct
corner angle.

transitive joint (fillet)

abrupt joint

angle

The serif angle refers to the angle, or
pitch, of the serif. Generally, a serif
either has a distinct angle in relation to
the stroke, or is flat, or perpendicular,
to the stroke.

proportion

Serif proportion is the relationship of the
serif to the stroke. Generally a serif will
be bilateral: equally present on both
sides of a stroke; or it may be unilateral:
present on only one side of a stroke.

dp

T
bilateral

unilateral

dp

oblique

dp

■J- flat

flat

dp

dp

shape

Serif shape is the general shape of the
serif. This is the main characteristic that
can distinguish one type style from
another.

pointed -

rounded-

wedged -

dp dp
dp dp

dp dp

block

(slab, squared)

hairline (thin)

18th C.

19th C.

20th C.