Communication Theory and Typographic Research

Abstract

The term " typographic research" may be taken in three related but quite different senses: 1) as in testing scien tific hypotheses, 2) as in artistic exploration, and 3) as in critical, historical, or analytic examination. Working primarily within the framework of scientific research, the authors attempt to sketch typographic research within the broader picture of scientific theory building. T hey recast a few familiar aspects of typographic decision-making into the framework of communication theory. The primary goal of the article is to suggest what might be useful for a theory of typographic communication, including research needs and criteria for arranging a hierarchy of research goals.