Assignment 16: Research and Inspiration

Infographics: Graphic visual representations of information, data or knowledge. (Wikipedia)

This Infographic uses the boats in a literal sense.  The larger
the boat, the larger the bankruptcy. I also like the bright
colors and how it has an animated look to it. 

This Infographic has a good theme.  They are
giving information about SAT scores needed to
get into certain schools. The background has notebook and
paper clips and features little kids. I think that the work aligns
with the subject very well. 

I like this Infographic in particular because
it catches your eye. It uses bright colors that fit well
together and the heading draws you in.

The Gutenberg Press | 1450 AD

What is Johannes Gutenberg credited with? Inventing the technology of printing with movable typePost a photo of the Gutenberg Press.
How did the printing press work? Ink was rolled over the raised surface of movable hand-set black letters held within a wooden form then pressed against a piece of paper.
What motivated Gutenberg to find a better way of creating books? Working at the mint with his father and his love of reading.
Why did Gutenberg experiment with metal type versus wood type? Woodcuts were not durable, they usually split after repeated use.
Post an example of movable type in a type case.


Which printing process is the Gutenberg press an example of? Briefly describe the process?
Relief printing - movable type placed into the press, ink is spread onto type, paper is placed on top, the press applies the direct pressure needed to transfer the ink to the paper
printmaking; ink is applied, then rubbed with a cloth to remove the 1excess, damp paper is placed on top, a press applies pressure to transfer the ink to the paper

Post an example of a screen (porous) printing press.

What is porous printing and how is ink transferred? Basic stencil process; image carrier is attached to a screen, ink is forced through open mesh areas.
 Post an example of a lithography printing press.

What is lithography and how is ink transferred? It is printed from a flat surface; drawing made on the plane with greasy ink or crayon, water is applied, when ink is spread on top, the greasy parts accept the ink, the wet parts don't offset lithography printing press.
What variation of lithography is used by the commercial printing industry today? Offset Lithography.
How do printing presses used today compare to the Gutenberg Press? Today we don't use the same methods and the process is faster and more efficient.

Describe four-color process printing using CMYK? The printers today requires cyan, magenta, yellow, and black ink to create the colors needed to print the design.
Post an example of an intaglio press.

What is moveable type? The system of printing that uses movable compnents to reproduce the elements of a document. 

What is a matrix? A hard metal punch hammered into a softer copper bar.
What ink did Gutenberg develop that he used specifically for the printing press? Oil-based ink, more durable than water-based ink.
What is paper made from? Where did paper originate? A substrate made from wood pulp; China.
What is a "substrate"? The layer underneath something living.
Who did Gutenberg seek to help with the invention of the press? John Fust.
Close to the end of the 5 years, what happened? Fust sued Gutenberg and won, Gutenburg had to turn over the press, tools, and 180 Bibles.
What was the first book he printed? Gutenberg Bible.
How did the Gutenberg Press impact communication? Perfected script and made it easier to read, books made more reapidly, current information could be shared locally and around the world, cost of books decreased, demand grew and the population become more literate, book trade, art and science florished begining the renaissance.
Who introduced the printing press to England? William Caxton.
What was the early form of newspapers? Trade newspapers.
When was the first news weekly published? What was it called?1704; The Boston Letter
What kind of press was built in the US in the mid 1800s? Cast iron.
By the late 1930s, presses had increased in efficiency and were capable of 2,500 to 3,500 impressions per hour.

The Codex and the Illuminated Manuscript | 1st century AD

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Post an example of a scroll:


What were the drawbacks of the scroll? The reader must read the text in the order it was written and they are too cumbersome for lengthy words.














 Post an example of a codex:

What is a codex? A covered and bound collection of hand written pages, a book.
"Codex" is derived from the Latin meaning "block of wood".Why? Because the covers were made of wood.

What is the difference between "sequential access" and "random access"? Random access- one can go to any point to find information. Sequential access- must be read in order; one must go through the scroll to find a certain passage.
What were the advantages of using the codex? Compactness, sturdiness, and ease of reference; more portable; can be opened to any page; easier to organize because title could be written on the spine.
What helped spread the use of the codex? The rise of Christianity
What replaced papyrus? Describe the process used to create it? Parchment, the fat was removed from animal skin, the hide was soaked in water, calcium flour and salt were added, the skin was stretched out, flattened and dried.
What is vellum? Finer qualities of parchment made from skin of calves.
Name several examples of current technology that utilizes the format of the codex? Kindle, Ipad, digital books.
What led to a period of cultural and economical deterioration? The decline of the Roman Empire resulted in fewer books being created. 
Post an example of an illuminated manuscript.



Who began creating books by hand, taking the creation to an art form? Monastic monks.
What does "illumination" refer to? What was included in this ornamentation? Illustrations and ornamentation add to each page of text; initials of chapters or paragraphs, paintings in margins, and borders around the text.
What tool was used for creating the illuminated manuscripts? Natural guill pens.
Why were these manuscripts reserved for religious purposes? The work required so much labor.
What is craftsmanship? Why is it important? The ability of making something from your ideas by yourself, it is important so you can show that are skilled at what you do.

The Roman Alphabet | 7th century BC

What was the basis of the Roman uppercase alphabet? A variant of the Greek Alphabet.
What were the purposes of the formal and informal styles of lettering? Formal: A rigid script used for important manuscripts and official documents. Informal= Quicker style used for letters and routine types of writing
Why is the Roman alphabet the most widely used and what contributions did it make? Serifs, stonesman, little hooks on the tops of letters to prevent the chisel from slipping; imstitution of the baseline into typography and penmanship.
From where did serifs originate? They originated with the carving of words into stone.
When and where did lowercase, or minuscule, letters develop? 9th century BC in Greece.
What is a ligature and why were they utilized? Connecting letters in type, like script
Post an example of the Roman alphabet in visual form: 

  

The Greek Alphabet | 800 BC

How did Greeks come in contact with the Phoenicians? Phoenicians regularly traveled to Greece and established agreements with them.
How was the Greek adaptation of the alphabet different from its predecessor? Some of their consonants were adapted as vowels and additional letters were included.
Why is the Greek alphabet considered to be the world's first true alphabet? It has given rise to many other alphabets, including Latin alphabet.
Name several similarities and differences between the Greek and modern English alphabets? Letters were classified as consonants and vowels 
Post an example of the Greek alphabet in visual form.  

The Phoenician Alphabet | 1050 BC

The Phoenician alphabet is based on what principle? The principle that one sign represents one spoken sound.
Describe the shape of the letters and what tool created them? Shapes were angular and straight created with a stylus.
What two reasons made the Phoenician alphabet so successful? It was different from other scripts that were difficult to learn. The trading culture of the Phoenician merchants spread the use of the alphabet into parts of North Africa and Europe.
What long term effects on the social structures of civilizations did the Phoenicians have with the creation of their alphabet? It was the first phonetic script that was used in several places, it's easyness allowed it to be used in different cultures. It also allowed all people to use the alphabet for writing. 
Post an example of the Phoenician alphabet in visual form:

Assignment 15: Research and Inspiration

In this illuminated manuscript, the border in highly
ornamental and decorative. There are small pictures  through-
out that probably tell a story to go along with the text. 

I like this illuminated manuscript because of the
detailed border and vibrant colors. I might utilize these
ideas in my illuminated manuscript.

The initial cap in this illuminated manuscript stands out the most to me.
I like how it has a picture inside the letter that tells a story itself. 

For this project, I will use calligraphy-like font and reds, browns, greens, and blues for the colors. Considering those are the colors they used. I was utilize and initial cap as well.