Advanced Typography: Task 1 Exercises

Week 1 - 4 (23/9/2024 - 18/10/2024)
SUNG J XIN/ 0370139/ Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
GCD 61004  ADVANCED TYPOGRAPHY
Task 1 Exercises

Lectures

Week 1: Typographic Systems

There are 8 major variations with an infinite number of permutations, which are:

• Axial
• Radial
• Dilatational
• Random
• Grid
• Modular
• Transitional
• Bilateral

Student designers may find these systems awkward but they will come to understand it more as they continue working with it, realising the creative potential that may come from it.

Understanding the grid systems will allow the designer to break free from "the rigid horizontal and vertical grid systems of letter press". It allows more designers to use more fluid means to create typographic messages.

Week 2: Typographic Composition

PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN COMPOSITION

There are the dominant principles underpinning design composition, which are emphasis, isolation, repetition, symmetry, and asymmetry, alignment, perspective.

These abstract notions are ambiguous when it comes to translating into typographic layouts or composition and are more relevant to imagery than complex units of information that consist of different elements. 

THE RULE OF THIRDS

The Rule of Thirds is a photogenic guide to composition which suggests that a frame can be divided into 3 columns and 3 rows. The intersecting lines are used as a guide to place the points of interest within the given space. 

ENVIROMENTAL GRID

This system is based on the exploration of an existing structure or numerous structures combined. Crucial curved and straight lined extractions are formed to create a super structure and it includes non-objective elements to create a unique and exciting mixture of texture and visual stimuli.

FORM AND MOVEMENT

This system is based on the exploration of existing grid systems and it is developed to dispel the seriousness surrounding the application of the grid system. 

The placement of a form on a page over many pages, over many pages creates movement. Whether the page is paper or screen is irrelevant.

Week 3: Context and Creativity

HANDWRITING

Handwriting is important because

Instructions

TASK 1 EXERCISE: Typographic Systems

Process Work

I attempted the typographic systems by trying to understand how each system would look like based on the study notes provided to us. I then used my own interpretation of each system to do my attempts.

Attempt #1 at typographic systems

When receiving feedback, I was told that only some of the systems I did was in the correct format. I decided to fix the systems that were inaccurate, while making small adjustments to my systems that were already fine.

Attempt #2 at typographic systems process work

Final Work

Final Typographic Systems collage

Final Axial System

Final Dilatational System

Final Grid System

Final Bilateral System

Final Random System

Final Transitional System

Final Modular System

Final Radial System

Final Typographic Systems W/O Grids PDF

Final Typographic Systems W/ Grids PDF

TASK 2 EXERCISE: Finding Type (Type & Play)

Process Work

For this exercise, we are required to find any image to extract any letterforms we can find from it from specific patterns and shapes. I have decided to choose a picture of the skin of a cantaloupe, since I found the pattern to be very unique.

Chosen image (Cantaloupe) to extract letterform

For my first attempt, I scanned the image from every side until I managed to make out 5 letterforms, AYEHB.

Attempt #1 Extraction

Then I proceeded to do some refinements by using some letters as a reference for the guidelines.

Attempt #1 Refining

When receiving feedback, I was told that the refined letterform is fine, but there could be some more done to it to make it look unique. A way that can make the text look like veiny like the cantaloupe itself.

I decided to extract the letterforms again to find letters that look unique. Specifically letters that have a potential veiny look to them. This time, I found the letters AYERS, which I was more satisfied with.

Attempt #2 Extraction

Using the font Univers LT Std - Roman as the reference font, I started refining the extracted letters. I tried to not completely dissuade from the original letterform too much. This part was challenging since I needed to decide which parts of the letterform needed finer details.

Attempt #2 Process Work

Attempt #2 Refinement process with guidelines

Final Work

Final Refinement Process

Original Extraction VS Final Refined Letterform

Final Refined Letterform

Final Refined Letterforms PDF

Final Poster

Final Poster Design With Letterform

Feedback

Week 2: 

General Feedback:

Using more columns will be useful for grid system. Don't make one side of the system heavier than the other. Personal Feedback: Grid system should align with the grid.

Find a wider in the picture to create a letterform that shows some characteristic to the original picture, by making the inner parts of the letterform more unique.

e.g. Make the letterform have a more veiny pattern inside to resemble the surface of a cantaloupe (chosen image).

Week 3:

Personal Feedback:

Find a wider in the picture to create a letterform that shows some characteristic to the original picture, by making the inner parts of the letterform more unique.

e.g. Make the letterform have a more veiny pattern inside to resemble the surface of a cantaloupe (chosen image).

Week 4: (No Feedback)

Week 5: 

Personal Feedback:

Give the letterform some texture and interesting characteristics such as bolder lines and thickness. Instead of just focusing on how the font looks like, focus on what substance you want to give to the letterform to convey who you are just from looking at your letterform.

Reflection

Experience

I found this task to be interesting since it shows us that you can find letterforms in our day-to-day life, whether it be from trees or stones. Trying to find different letters in the example I used, a cantaloupe skin, proved to be very challenging since I didn't just want to find plain letters, but instead letters with some unique characteristics. In the end I was happy with what I was able to find. I could have definitely found more interesting letters if I had more time.

Observation

Learning about the typographic systems made me realise that different compositions of text will affect how we read such text. It also shows that typographic systems are not always clean and organised, but instead chaotic and incomprehensible. It shows that you can have fun with the systems too.

Findings

Without prior knowledge about typography from the previous semester, I don't think I would have handled advanced typography that well since it is definitely more challenging as it explores more about your brand identity and how you view yourself in your fonts. I hope I will be able to achieve a font that I will view myself in.

Further Readings

Typographic Systems by Kimberly Elam

Project Elements and Process

• An understanding of systems of visual organization gives the designer an in-depth knowledge of the design process.
• The traditional ties that bind design education and visual process to the rigid horizontal and vertical grid systems of letterpress are no longer the sole means of order and efficiency in production.
• While most of the systems are inappropriate for lengthy messages, all of the systems can be crafted to communicate with a dynamic energy.
• In this way, the typography blends with the message to become an image, which becomes a dynamic invitation to the reader and one that enhances meaning.

Constraints and Options

• Lines may be broken at will change a single line into multiple lines, creating changes in grouping and the way in which the line is read.
• Leading is variable, which in turn creates changes in position and textures.
• Variable word spacing and letter spacing creates distinct changes in texture and tone.