Final answer:
Hand lettering styles can be grouped into four categories: serif, sans-serif, script, and decorative or display, with each style serving different aesthetic purposes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The four general groups of hand lettering styles can be broadly categorized into serif, sans-serif, script, and decorative or display. Serif styles include a small line or stroke regularly attached to the end of a larger stroke in a letter or symbol. Sans-serif styles, on the other hand, do not include these extra strokes and typically convey a more modern feel. Script styles are characterized by fluid, connected strokes that often mimic cursive handwriting. Lastly, decorative or display styles are distinctive and often tailored for special occasions or purposes, emphasizing on aesthetics and uniqueness.
Kufic, for instance, is a family of 17 related styles with a common preference for uniform thickness and geometric lines, and it belongs to the broader category of script styles. When you look at the variations in the letter 'A', you are observing the difference in thickness that gives the letterforms their unique decorative quality. Designers distinguish between serif and sans-serif types based on the presence or absence of these 'tails' or extensions at the ends of the strokes. The skill and precision of penmanship, as displayed by the scribes from The Morgan Library, illustrate how they maintained a uniform style for cohesive aesthetics.