Tuesday, October 27, 2009

OK, Baltimore, stop throwing your weight around

Thanks, everyone, for your thoughtful (and speedy) feedback on the latest round of TBR revisions. I agree that contrast is the main issue. The all-Jenson versions were the most integrated of the ones I posted previously, and all commenters agreed #2 worked best—but insufficient contrast is a problem even with bold/light weights.

I'm continuing to explore various solutions with this—italics, different san-serifs, different typefaces altogether. Unfortunately the same contrast issue crops up w/other oldstyle faces. I'm attached to the Jenson but would replace it if doing so would solve the contrast problem; so far the alternatives aren't an improvement. Haven't found a sans-serif that's working either.

So, here's my latest shot at this: flipping, as shown, so the lighter weight is used for "Baltimore" and the heavier weight for "view." These are the same weights I used earlier, but this feels more balanced to me. In the earlier versions, "view" was getting lost at the end of the long, heavy line of text. Here it stands out, and the contrast in weight is more apparent with the lighter weight being used for the first and longer word. (Or so I think. If I'm deluding myself on this point, let me know.) "Baltimore" is still taking enough of the line that no one will miss it, and the play on words comes across more clearly with the emphasis on "view."

Second opinions welcome... thanks again for the earlier input.

3 comments:

Bobby G said...

I'm not sure your hierarchy is the way you want it, "view" is the dominant element, I lost review too.

Also, the treatment of "the" doesn't work for me. Have you tried:

the
baltimoreview

? same font size for all?

Tess said...

Thanks for the input, Bob.

No need for anyone else to take the time to weigh in. I decided last night to withdraw from the course. It's a great class, but not the place for me right now.

Enjoy the rest of the semester, everyone--y'all are a great group to work with.

CB said...

Tess...I wish you would reconsider but completely understand...if I can do it, you can too. Your crit has been great...thanks for everything!