GDP113 - Kerning

Instructions and what to include for grading and evaluation

The object of this assignment is to determine the affects of letterspacing, kerning and line spacing on readability.

Copy and paste or retype the following text and numbers
MRS. PICKILAWICK
1760, 1492, 2001, 7367
into your Indesign document and begin to adjust the letter spacing per the instructions below.
There are 2 sets, one for the letters and one for the numbers.

1. Set visually comfortable letterspacing for each word and the numbers using a serif and san serif font in upper case at 30 point and 45 point.
You will have 8 lines.

2. Copy and paste #1 then change all to lower case.
You will have 8 lines.

3. Copy the above set of 8 lines but do the letter spacing very tight (-20 or tighter).
You will have 8 lines.

4. Copy the set of 8 lines again then set it very loose (150 or higher).
You will have 8 lines.

You will have a total of 32 lines for the entire assignment.

Be aware of the OPTICAL spacing of each word. A consistent look (evenly spaced without any gaps in the word) is your objective. Squint at each word after you have adjusted the spacing. This will help you see if there are any gaps. You may need to hand adjust different letter pairs. To do so select the letters with the type cursor, then adjust the kerning in the character panel by typing in the number or using the arrow to increase or reduce kerning. Observe that straight lines next to each other need more space than round shapes (ex: an "i" and an "l" next to each other need more space than a "c" and an "o").

5. Write above each line what you did on the following line including modifications between specific characters.

Example:
45 pt serif at -6 with “A” & “W” adjusted -50 and “W” and “I” adjusted +30.

6. Write your observations about what looks best or not good and why. (Hint: you make like them both ways. That is ok. Just explain why).

7. Name the file with your last name and exercise (smith-kern.pdf) and upload the PDF to Moodle.