EDLD 5366 Digital Design and Web Design

Principles of Design as Seen in Medieval Manuscripts

       My first impression of Medieval manuscripts, (“All virtual books,” n.d.),were that the scribes used similar design principles and that these manuscripts incorporated many modern design techniques. They seemed to know the principles of color, used columns to organize text, emphasized words using enlarged fonts, and seemed to use paragraph spacing. Further, many of the manuscripts were illustrated in the border to help the reader remember and further understand the text. 

Sherborne Missal

       As I observed the Sherborne Missal (“Turning the pages 2.0: Sherborne missal,” n.d.), a fifteenth century church book, I noticed some examples of design and typographic principles. The scribes used contrast in the size and color of their fonts and graphics. The principle of repetition was seen in their use of columns for text and illustrative borders or frames. Alignment was seen in the use of left justified text and left justified graphics that had text tightly wrapped around them. Lastly, proximity was observed in the grouping of graphics near the information they depict or are related to. These works were beautiful and informative.       
       The scribes, authors, and artists seemed to pour their lives into their work. Like a story teller builds suspense with their words, the artist used symbols, graphics, color, gold leaf, to emphasize the precious nature of their work.

All virtual books. (n.d.).British Library. Retrieved July 20, 2012, from

http://ttpdownload.bl.uk/app_files/silverlight/default.html?id=181afc99-df1f-4951-8981-df7e26625850

Turning the pages 2.0: Sherborne missal. (n.d.).British Library. Retrieved July 20, 2012, from

http://ttpdownload.bl.uk/app_files/silverlight/default.html?id=181afc99-df1f-4951-8981-df7e26625850