Hermann Zapf created around 1000 sketches and designs of symbols and signs according to linotype. ITC chose from a subset of 360 symbols, ornaments and typographic elements based on the original designs, which became formally known around the world as Zapf Dingbats.
According to Wikipedia Zapf Dingbats gained wide distribution when ITC Zapf Dingbats, which consists of the subset chosen by ITC, became one of 35 PostScript fonts built into Apple's LaserWriter Plus and that the typeface is distributed with Acrobat Reader 5 and 5.1.
2
From above you see the characterisation of the Zapf Dingbats which is formed up of symbols and images but also you see others like arrows and stars. 3 These are a combination of the updated version of Zapf, commonly known has Zapf Essentials.
Consists of 6 symbol-encoded fonts categorized in Arrows , Communication (pointing fingers, communication devices), Markers (squares, triangles, circles, ticks, hearts, crosses, check marks, leafs), Office (pen, clock, currency, scissors, hand), Ornaments (flowers, stars), for a total of 372 glyphs. The standard set for the ICT glyphs are included in Unicode and it is one of the "Basic 14" typefaces guaranteed to be available for PDF files.
However, not all ITC Zapf Dingbats glyphs are included in the Zapf Essentials collections (e.g.: airplane and letter).
4 Dingbats and Wingdings and similar fonts provide an easy way of adding graphics by simply typing them as text. However, you have to remember which letters and digits produce which symbols as in the examples above.
Below is a link to a PDF that has the full listing of the decimal and Hexadecimal codes and characters used to create each Dingbat.
Official Unicode Zapf Dingbat code chart
References
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zapf_Dingbats
2. www.identifont.com
3. http://www.linotype.com/en/1460/linotypezapfessentials.html
4. http://www.answers.com/topic/dingbats
11 comments:
Hello. I'm glad I didn't have to do this font. Good effort in research.
Well done Dave - a good description of a typeface which is difficult to interpret. However, watch your SPG – incorrect word usage spelt correctly will not be picked up in spell-checker ie first paragraph 'where.'
Suggest giving it a good read on paper before committing to screen.
Hey again.
I can't really fault this at all. I missed the SPG Martyn picked up on.
Interesting read and well researched.
I think the link to the PDF is a nice little extra.
That's it.
Regards,
Sam
Hi Dave, thought you did a good job of a tough subject which didn't leave much scope for adding images for examples.
Hey Dave,
A great informative description on what must have been a very difficult typeface! As mentioned previously, you might just want to re-check your SPG.
Good job mate.
Regards,
Brad
Hi David, Can't really find anything. And a good image. Well done.
Dominic
Hi David,
I think the chunking of your work is good and the content explains the font well. To me the poor grammar makes it tough reading though. I've tried to quantify my issues below for you.
There are still a number of SPG issues within your entry. I managed to find at least one error in nearly ever paragraph (even one within the first two line paragraph).
There appears to be an inconsistent approach to your referencing throughout the entry.
I'm not sure PDF needs a link bearing in mind the medium you are working in, when some of the other things you discuss are screaming out to be explained.
Overall though David you have obviously researched this content as this to me is one of the more obsure fonts.
Hi Dave,
An interesting and well researched post. Just one small thing, I'd take out the spaces on your numbers in superscript.
Regards, Nick
Hi Dave,
Rather you than me having to research this one!
It's obvious that you've put a lot of effort into the research side of the task. It's a very informative piece, nicely "chunked and good use of hyperlinks.
However as mentioned in previous comments you need to take a bit more care with your SPG.
All the best,
Ian
Hi David,
Well done, good piece of work.
Again, my only complaint would be SPG. The use of 'where' should be 'were'.
Overall though, very good effort.
Good Job Dave, doesnt look an easy font to research. My only critisism would be your occasional SPG error. Otherwise, good job.
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