Typography is the means by which a written idea is given a visual form. The selection of the visual form can dramatically affect the readability of the written idea and a reader’s feelings towards it due to the hundreds, if not thousands of typefaces available. Typography can produce a neutral effect or rouse the passions, symbolise artistic, political or philosophical movements, or express the personality of a person or organisation. Typefaces vary from clear and distinguishable letterforms that flow easily before the eye and are suitable for extended blocks of text, to more dramatic and eye-catching typefaces that grab attention and are used in newspaper headlines and advertisements.

Typography is anything but static and continues to evolve. Many typefaces in use today are based upon designs created during earlier historic epochs. The fledgling printing industry established Roman capitals and Carolingian minuscules from the reign of Charlemagne as standard forms in the 15th century, which are still widely used today.