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Graphic Design vocabulary · Typography

Old-style figures

Meaning in graphic design, with examples

nounAdvanced term

In graphic design, old-style figures means: Numerals with varying heights and positions, including forms extending below the baseline.

In Turkish: eski stil rakamlar

How it is used

Use for numerals that blend with lowercase text; also called text figures.

Example sentences

  1. Old-style figures make the dates sit comfortably within this essay.

    Varying numeral heights echo the rhythm of surrounding lowercase letters.

  2. The cover uses old-style figures with a descending nine.

    The descending numeral identifies a form that differs from uniform capitals.

Common collocations

  • old-style figures
  • proportional old-style figures
  • body copyThe main, longer text of a design, such as paragraphs in a brochure or article, as opposed to headlines, captions and other short text.
  • baselineThe invisible line on which most letters sit. Letters like ‘g’ and ‘p’ go below it, and leading is measured from one baseline to the next.

More terms: Typography

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