In typography, a column is one or more vertical blocks of content positioned on a page, separated by gutters (vertical whitespace) or rules (thin lines, in this case vertical). Columns are most commonly used to break up large bodies of text that cannot fit in a single block of text on a page. Additionally, columns are used to improve page composition and readability. Newspapers very frequently use complex multi-column layouts to break up different stories and longer bodies of texts within a story. Column can also more generally refer to the vertical delineations created by a typographic grid system which type and image may be positioned. In page layout, the whitespace on the outside of the page (bounding the first and last columns) are known as margins; the gap between two facing pages is also considered a gutter, since there are columns on both sides. (Any gutter can also be referred to as a margin, but exterior and horizontal margins are not gutters.)[1]
An example of a two-column layout (double folio) with caption.
In some cases, column numbers are provided to improve specifying the in-source location in addition to or in absence of page numbers in serial publications, legal documents and patents. Historically, column designations were abbreviated "c" (singular) or "cc" (plural), i.e. "c130" or "cc130–136".[2]
Column width is traditionally called measure by typesetters. For best legibility, typographic manuals suggest that columns should be wide enough to contain roughly 60 characters per line.[3] One formula suggests multiplying the point size of the font by 2 to reach how wide a column should be in picas[4] — in effect a column width of 24 ems. Following these guidelines usually results in multiple narrow columns being favored over a single wide column.[5] Historically, books containing predominantly text generally have around 40 lines per column. However, this rule of thumb does not apply to more complex text that contain multiple images or illustrations, footnotes, running heads, folios, and captions.[6]
Column contrast refers to the overall color or greyness established by the column, and can be adjusted in a number of ways. One way is to adjust the relationship between the width and height of the column. Another way is to make adjustments to the typeface, from choosing a specific font, to adjusting weight, style, size and leading. Column contrast can be used to establish hierarchy, to balance the page composition, and to visually activate areas of the page.[7]
In web design, columns are often used to separate primary content from secondary and tertiary content. For example, a common two column layout may include a left column with navigation links, and a right column for body text. One method of creating columns for the web is to place text within an HTMLtable element, often with the border set to zero. However, this method is considered outdated and inaccessible to some. Another method includes using CSS to either float or position the corresponding text. These methods were not as straightforward as using HTML tables, which made a tableless three column layout a sort of holy grail once these techniques were discovered in the early 2000s.[8] More recent levels of CSS have addressed column behaviors,[9] and web browser support for these behaviors continues to improve.[10]
Carter, Rob. Day, Ben. Meggs, Philip. Typographic Design: Form and Communication 2nd ed. John Wiley & Sons: 1993. pp. 51–53, 90–91.
Haslam, Andrew; Baines, Phil (2005). Type and Typography. New York, N.Y: Watson-Guptill. p. 140. ISBN0-8230-5528-0.
Romano, Frank J. The TypeEncyclopedia. R. R. Bowker Company: 1984. pp. 86–86.
January 12, 2023
column, typography, typography, column, more, vertical, blocks, content, positioned, page, separated, gutters, vertical, whitespace, rules, thin, lines, this, case, vertical, columns, most, commonly, used, break, large, bodies, text, that, cannot, single, bloc. In typography a column is one or more vertical blocks of content positioned on a page separated by gutters vertical whitespace or rules thin lines in this case vertical Columns are most commonly used to break up large bodies of text that cannot fit in a single block of text on a page Additionally columns are used to improve page composition and readability Newspapers very frequently use complex multi column layouts to break up different stories and longer bodies of texts within a story Column can also more generally refer to the vertical delineations created by a typographic grid system which type and image may be positioned In page layout the whitespace on the outside of the page bounding the first and last columns are known as margins the gap between two facing pages is also considered a gutter since there are columns on both sides Any gutter can also be referred to as a margin but exterior and horizontal margins are not gutters 1 An example of a two column layout double folio with caption In some cases column numbers are provided to improve specifying the in source location in addition to or in absence of page numbers in serial publications legal documents and patents Historically column designations were abbreviated c singular or cc plural i e c130 or cc130 136 2 Contents 1 Typographic style 2 Web layout 3 See also 4 Notes 5 ReferencesTypographic style EditColumn width is traditionally called measure by typesetters For best legibility typographic manuals suggest that columns should be wide enough to contain roughly 60 characters per line 3 One formula suggests multiplying the point size of the font by 2 to reach how wide a column should be in picas 4 in effect a column width of 24 ems Following these guidelines usually results in multiple narrow columns being favored over a single wide column 5 Historically books containing predominantly text generally have around 40 lines per column However this rule of thumb does not apply to more complex text that contain multiple images or illustrations footnotes running heads folios and captions 6 Column contrast refers to the overall color or greyness established by the column and can be adjusted in a number of ways One way is to adjust the relationship between the width and height of the column Another way is to make adjustments to the typeface from choosing a specific font to adjusting weight style size and leading Column contrast can be used to establish hierarchy to balance the page composition and to visually activate areas of the page 7 Further information Line length and Type colorWeb layout EditIn web design columns are often used to separate primary content from secondary and tertiary content For example a common two column layout may include a left column with navigation links and a right column for body text One method of creating columns for the web is to place text within an HTML table element often with the border set to zero However this method is considered outdated and inaccessible to some Another method includes using CSS to either float or position the corresponding text These methods were not as straightforward as using HTML tables which made a tableless three column layout a sort of holy grail once these techniques were discovered in the early 2000s 8 More recent levels of CSS have addressed column behaviors 9 and web browser support for these behaviors continues to improve 10 See also EditColumn inch stick roughly 1 10 of a column Characters per line referring to monospaced text Line lengthNotes Edit In Typography what are Gutters With pictures Poor Laws Amendment Report Hansard House of Commons Debates 24 Column 913 1834 06 27 Retrieved 2016 02 15 Column 913 POOR LAWS AMENDMENT REPORT HC Deb 27 June 1834 vol 24 cc913 935 Carter 1993 p 91 For example a 9 pt font size would require an 18 pica column width Romano 1984 pp 86 87 Haslam 2005 p 140 Carter 1993 p 51 CSS Layout Techniques for Fun and Profit Archived 2005 11 05 at the National and University Library of Iceland glish com Accessed 2007 12 12 CSS3 module Multi column layout 6 June 2007 W3 org Accessed 2007 12 12 1 caniuse com Accessed 2012 05 16 References EditCarter Rob Day Ben Meggs Philip Typographic Design Form and Communication 2nd ed John Wiley amp Sons 1993 pp 51 53 90 91 Haslam Andrew Baines Phil 2005 Type and Typography New York N Y Watson Guptill p 140 ISBN 0 8230 5528 0 Romano Frank J The TypeEncyclopedia R R Bowker Company 1984 pp 86 86 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Column typography amp oldid 1115284735, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
