Day Six: After Class

The topic for this class was the discussion of chapter six, The German Illustrated Book, and chapter seven, Renaissance Graphic Design. 

First we had a review over the questions that people had from past blogs. It was helpful to find out more on the chops and reliefs. I understood how they were both different, but the online quiz confused the heck out of me on a relief question. It was helpful going over this in class. A question of mine was answered on what the illustrations were used for. They were not only created for decoration, but as a way to help bring people to the church. With the word diminuendo, it was related with dominos in the way that they continue to change as it goes on. The size of the initials grew larger with the newer texts. But because it was difficult to integrate the rest of the text with the large letters, there was a decrease in text as it was written. Guttenberg was also touched on; its important to remember him as being a person who perfected the ink and made a sturdy printing press along with making movable type. Printing began in Germany. An incunabula was a word used for books printed from typography. It meant "cradle" or "baby linen". Albrecht Durer printed multiple editions of the Apocalypse by making them more graphic. He created a "through-the-looking-grid" device for drawing. Durer improved Roman Capitals. Martin Luther was a Catholic monk who inspired many of the created graphics that depicted Jesus' life. The Renaissance ["rebirth"] began Venice, Italy. During this time, many different subjects were being studied and there was a birth of new thought and design. Erhald Ratdolt was a man we talked about. He completed the first title page, created a page with different character types, and helped people to understand geometry. His Calendarium was a book comprised of 60 diagrams of lunar and solar eclipses. This made the suspicious become more predictable. Aldus Manitus was another man we talked about. He was a humanist and a scholar. He published a prototype of a pocket book, and also made a famous Aldine press logo, which was an image of an anchor with a dolphin kind of wrapping around it. Manitus introduced Cancelleresca script -- a slanted style. which was a quicker and informal way to write. Geoffroy Tory was a very busy man. He seemed to be great at everything. He was a professor, scholar, translator, author, poet, illustrator, designer, calligrapher, and engraver. He basically came up with the written French language. Tory was called "Printer to the King" by King Francis I. 

The most useful thing I learned today was learning more on important people who contributed to graphic design. It is important for me to understand what each person did and why they were considered important people of history. I thought Geoffroy Troy was amazing because of all he was able to do. I would have loved to be like him. It makes me wonder how many people looked up to him. It was also useful going back over the different between a relief print and a chop print. Both are different even though they seem similar. I think I just got confused about their purposes after taking the online quiz. I'm more  informed about what they do now. 

What is a broadside again? Was it a newspaper? Is it a term that we have to know for the test?