Inspiration Bodoni

the 1818 manuale-tipografico specimen manual of bodoni s press, published after death.

bodoni admired work of john baskerville , studied in detail designs of french type founders pierre simon fournier , firmin didot. although drew inspiration work of these designers, above didot, no doubt bodoni found own style typefaces, deservedly gained worldwide acceptance among printers.

although modern audience bodoni best known name of typeface, bodoni expert printer ran prestigious printing-office under patronage of duke of parma, , design of type permitted , showcased quality of company s work in metal-casting, printing , of paper made in parma. hairline serifs , fine strokes reflected high quality of casting, since on poor-quality printing equipment serifs had large avoid wear snapping them. smooth finish of paper allowed fine detail retained on surface. bodoni took care in composition of printing, using hierarchy , borders create appearance of elegance, , range of type sizes allowed him flexibility of composition.

writing of meeting him in year 1786, james edward smith said:

a great curiosity in way parma printing-office, carried on under direction of mr. bodoni, has brought art degree of perfection scarcely known before him. nothing exceed civility in showing numbers of beautiful productions of press...as operations of casting , finishing letters...his paper made @ parma. manner in mr. bodoni gives works beautiful smoothness, no impression of letters perceptible on either side, part of business keeps secret.

the effective use of bodoni in modern printing poses challenges common didone designs. while can elegant due regular, rational design , fine strokes, known effect on readers dazzle , thick verticals draw reader s attention , cause them struggle concentrate on other, thinner strokes define letter which. reason, using right optical size of font has been described particularly essential achieve professional results. fonts used @ text sizes sturdier designs thicker thin strokes , serifs (less stroke contrast) , more space between letters on display designs, increase legibility. optical sizes natural requirement of printing technology @ time of bodoni, had cut each size of type separately, declined pantograph, phototypesetting , digital fonts made printing same font @ size simpler; revival has taken place in recent years automated font development has become possible. french designer loïc sander has suggested dazzle effect, common didone designs, may particularly common in designs produced in countries designers unfamiliar how use them , fonts commercially available tend have been designed headings. modern bodoni revivals intended professional use such parmagiano , itc bodoni have range of optical sizes, less common on default computer fonts.