Typography the study of the design of typefaces , and the way in which the type is laid out on a page to best achieve the desired visual effect and to best convey the meaning of the message. Videos on Type a lesson on typography type used in motion General Type Terms Ascender: The part of lowercase letters (such as k, b, and d) that rise above the x-height of the other lowercase letters. Baseline: The imaginary line on which the majority of the characters in a typeface rest.Descender The part of lowercase letters (such as y, p, and q) that descends below the baseline of the other lowercase letters in a font face. In some typefaces, the uppercase 3 and Q also descend below the baseline. Counter: The white space enclosed by a letterform, whether wholly enclosed (as in "d" or "o") or partially (as in "c" or "m"). Descender: The part of lowercase letters (such as y, p, a