• Archives of design research
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• v.14
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• pp.321-333
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• 1996

The typeface of the Shhnch 'ongjon woodblocks is unsophisticated and old-fashioned while at the same time having a tidiness and strength that give it its special appeal. This is the typeface used in publishing novPls for sale to the common people during the latter half of the Choson Dynasty_ Their demands could not be satisfied with most currently available literature. which was intended to suit the tastes of the official class. As a result of a development to overcome the unbalanced use of space characteristic of letterforms that followed the geometric principles of early Hangul. the typeface followed the refined. feminine "hrushstroke" style of kungch 'e. establishing itself as a "rough" face displaying the characteristics of carved. woodblock printing in answer to the needs of the common p-eople who had the greatest need of Hangul during the time of its f1owering. The Shhnch 'ongjon face is characterized by thin horizontal strokes. thick vertical strokes. and the appearance of being condensed left to right. They possess simple yet varied form. With these characteristics the Shimch' ongjon typeface. if revived and compared to other typefaces. has a beauty of structure and composition and a unique. modern lmage with excellent readability. giving it great significance for modern r langul typography.r langul typography.