+++ /dev/null
-
-In [type design](/glossary/type_designer), the axis usually refers to the direction of the [stroke](/glossary/stroke) in a [letterform](/glossary/letterform), often taking inspiration from (or making direct reference to) how letterforms might appear if drawn with a [pen](/glossary/handwriting). Letterforms with slanted axes are informed by writing with a broad-nibbed pen (translation), while letterforms with vertical axes are informed by writing with a pointed pen (expansion). This is the basis of [Gerrit Noordzij’s theory and eponymous cube](https://typemedia.org/noordzij/).
-
-<figure>
-
-
-
-</figure>
-
-It’s possible to infer the axis (or axes) in a [typeface](/glossary/typeface)’s design by the contrast of the thick and thin parts of a stroke; therefore, [low-contrast](/glossary/contrast) typefaces (i.e., most [sans serifs](/glossary/sans_serif)) don’t necessarily have a visible axis.
--- /dev/null
+
+In [type design](/glossary/type_designer), stress refers to the direction of the [stroke](/glossary/stroke) in a [letterform](/glossary/letterform), often taking inspiration from (or making direct reference to) how letterforms might appear if drawn with a [pen](/glossary/handwriting). It can also be called the “axis”, although that can be confused with [axes in variable fonts](/glossary/axis_in_variable_fonts). Letterforms with a slanted stress are informed by writing with a broad-nibbed pen (translation), while letterforms with a vertical stress are informed by writing with a pointed pen (expansion). This is the basis of [Gerrit Noordzij’s theory and eponymous cube](https://typemedia.org/noordzij/).
+
+<figure>
+
+
+
+</figure>
+
+It’s possible to infer the stress (or stresses) in a [typeface](/glossary/typeface)’s design by the contrast of the thick and thin parts of a stroke; therefore, [low-contrast](/glossary/contrast) typefaces (i.e., most [sans serifs](/glossary/sans_serif)) don’t necessarily have a visible stress.
-name: "Axis (in type design)"
+alt_ids: "axis_in_type_design"
+name: "Stress"
excerpt: "The angle of the “pen” in a letterform, usually implied by the contrast of a stroke."
related_lessons: "making_sense_of_typographic_classifications"