Fig. 9. “Spotting” a single line on a page so that it makes an
interesting division of space. There are 2 parts of white space
above and 3 parts below.
Fig. 10. Placing a single line so that it will appear to be centered.
The dotted lines show the mathematical center of the vertical side.
The straight lines show the center of the type line.
The most simple application of proportion to the division of a printed page occurs when a single type line or compact group of lines is to be placed on the page ([Fig. 9]).
It is unfortunate that it is so easy to divide space mechanically in a type page by using identical measures of furniture or slugs above and below. When, in certain instances (as in a business card), tradition demands that a line be “centered” vertically, it will be found that the exact centering of the line will make it appear a bit low. An optical illusion demands that such a line be raised slightly if it is to appear in the vertical center ([Fig. 10]). This apparent center is called “the optical center.”
The same condition makes it necessary when an apparent square is to be used that the width of the “square” be slightly greater than the height. ([Fig. 11.])
