Advanced Typography / Task 1 / Exercises: Typographic Systems & Type & Play

-

05/04/2023 - 26/04/2023 / Week 1 - Week 4

Kim Min Ah / 0356145

Typography  / Creative Media / Taylor's Design School

TASKS

Task 1 / Exercise: Typographic Systems

Task 1 / Exercise: Type & Play

LECTURES

AdTypo_1_Typographic Systems

Axial

- all elements are organized to the left or right of a single axis.

Axis doesn’t have to be straight.


Radial
- all elements are extended from the point of focus. Like a sun.


Dilatational
- all elements expanded from a central point in a circular fashion. Like a ring?


Random
-appear to have no specific pattern or relationship  RANDOM

Grid

-A system of vertical and horizontal divisions. Regular books

Transitional
- an informal system of layered banding


Modular 

-a series of non-objective elements that are constructed as standardized units.


Bilateral

-All text is arranged symmetrically on a single axis
invitation cards



An understanding of the systems organization process allows the designer to break free from “the rigid horizontal and vertical grid system of letterpress” (Elam, 2007). 

- Mr. Vinod's lecture video, AdTypo_1_Typographic Systems


AdTypo_2_Typographic Composition


The notion of design composition is abstract and ambiguous in typographic layouts or composition.


-Emphasis

-The rule of thirds

(No one would prefer to use the rule of thirds when there are other options)


Typographic system

It started off with a group of young designers who began to question and challenge the notion of order in typography.


-Environmental grid




Fig 1.1.1 Screenshot of Mr.Vinod's lecture, AdTypo_2_Typographic Composition

Inspired by the exploitation of an existing structure or various structures combined.


-Form and Movement





Fig 1.1.2 Screenshot of Mr.Vinod's lecture, AdTypo_2_Typographic Composition

Exploration of existing grid systems. Utilizing the placement of a form on a paper or screen; to create a continuous flow of movement over pages.



AdTypo_3_Context & Creativity


Handwriting

It is important to study handwriting since all first letterforms were designed to mimic handwriting.


Evolution of the Latin Alphabet




Fig 1.1.3 Screenshot of Mr.Vinod's lecture, AdTypo_3_Context & Creativity

Movable Type




Fig 1.1.4 Screenshot of Mr.Vinod's lecture, AdTypo_3_Context & Creativity

The introduction of moveable type was in 1000-1100 CE. It was invented in China but achieved in Korea(Diamond Sutra). Koreans created movable type in bronze in the late 1300-1399 CE, several decades before the earliest printing in Europe(Gutenberg’s bible, 1439).


It is important to study handwriting because the first letterforms were created directly to imitate handwriting.


Creativity and originality are intertwined.

Creativity and inspiration come from observation of surroundings and exploration of histories.

 

It is important for young designers to examine the histories, civilizations, cultures and communities, and reflect them on designs.



AdTypo_4_Designing Type

Type design has a social responsibility to maintain legibility.

Form of artistic expression.


<Process of type design>


1. Research

-history, anatomy and convention of an existing typeface

-It is important to distinguish the purpose of the use of typeface


2. Sketch

-Either hand drawing or digital drawing

Digitalization

-Fontlab and Glyphs App

-Counter form is as important as the whole form of letters. The readability of the typeface depends on it.


3. Testing

-A typeface should have good legibility, but it is not crucial for display typefaces.


4. Deploy


Most typefaces are created on a demand of motivation or need, either intrinsic or extrinsic.


INSTRUCTIONS




Fig 1.1.5 Module information booklet



Task 1 / Exercise: Typographic Systems


Research


Fig 1.1.6 Taking the Mystery Out of Arranging Type by Katherine Humphreys, p.1 (05/04/2023)



https://type365.com/2017/02/21/7-typographic-layout-systems/





Sketches

-Axial




Fig 1.1.8 Axial sketches (06/04/2023)


Typeface Gill Sans Bold was used for the title and Univers Bold for the rest of the text.
The first two sketches were created mainly focused on presenting the definition of the "axial typographic system" itself. I tried to be more creative and expressive with the last one with the title I chose, "All Ripped Up: Punk Influences On Design".  To appeal that the topic is related to a music genre, Punk, the entire outline of the alignment constructs a shape of a music note. It will more stand out with proper colour contrast later on.


-Radial



Fig 1.1.9 Radial sketches (07/04/2023)


Typeface Gill Sans Bold was used for the title and Univers Bold for the rest of the text.
The records were added to imply the title of the topic(All Ripped Up: Punk Influences On Design).



-Dilatational


Fig 1.2.1 Dilatational sketches (10/04/2023)


Typeface Gill Sans Bold was used for the title and Univers Bold for the rest of the text.
Each sketch shows the flow of dilatation from the inner side, bottom and right bottom corner.



-Random



Fig 1.2.2 Random sketches (11/04/2023)


Typeface Gill Sans Bold was used for most of the text. Bembo Regular was partly used in the second sketch. 



-Grid



Fig 1.2.3 Grid sketches (11/04/2023)


Typeface Gill Sans Bold was used for the title and subtitles. Univers Bold for the other information. 
At first, I thought Grid Typographic System would be the easiest to execute since it's the most basic one. However, unlike my expectation, it was the toughest one to create. I struggled to come up with proportionally aesthetic compositions.



-Transitional




Fig 1.2.4 Transitonal sketches (11/04/2023)


Typeface, Gill Sans Bold and Univers Bold were applied to both the first and third sketches. 
Only Bembo, Regular was used on the second one. I intended to express diverse Transitional Typographic Systems: a transition of the size of letters, sentence alignments and style of typefaces.


-Modular




Fig 1.2.5 Modular sketches (11/04/2023)


Gill Sans Regular Bold and Univers Bold were used for the first sketch. Gill Sans Regular Semi Bold, Bold and Univers Bold were applied for the other one.



-Bilateral





Fig 1.2.6 Bilateral sketches (11/04/2023)


Gill Sans Regular, Semi Bold, Bold and Univers Bold were utilized. Little dots were added in the first sketch to present the centred balance. A big circle embracing the information was placed to emphasize the bilateral connection between the lines from each side.



Completed
-Overview




Fig 1.2.7 8 Typographic System Overview (11/04/2023)


Black, lavender (R:199 G:169 B:208) and white were used for the colours of all 8 Typographic System designs. 



Final Submission (JPG)

-Axial



Fig 1.2.8 Axial JPG (12/04/2023)


-Radial



Fig 1.2.9 Radial JPG (12/04/2023)

-Dilatational


Fig 1.3.4 Dilatational JPG (12/04/2023)


-Random



Fig 1.3.1 Random JPG (12/04/2023)



-Grid


Fig 1.3.2 Grid JPG (12/04/2023)


-Transitional


Fig 1.3.3 Transitional JPG (12/04/2023)


-Modular 



Fig 1.3.4 Modular JPG (12/04/2023)


-Bilateral



Fig 1.3.5 Bilateral JPG (12/04/2023)




Final Submission (PDF)




Fig 1.3.6 Final submission with grid PDF (12/04/2023)





Fig 1.3.7 Final submission PDF (12/04/2023)


Task 1 / Exercise: Type & Play

Photo Deconstruction




Fig 1.3.8 Crumpled paper photo (15/04/2023)



Fig 1.3.9 Photo deconstruction (18/04/2023)


Letter Refinement




Fig 1.4.1 Reference typeface (19/04/2023)




Fig 1..4.2 Refinement (19/04/2023)



Photo Deconstruction (2nd attempt)



Fig 1.4.3 Jasmine flower tea, photo deconstruction (25/04/2023)


Based on the feedback I received, I tried to find an image that seems to have more characteristics,
which is the image above, jasmine flower tea. It's in a mixed form of dried jasmine petals and leaves.



Letter Refinement (2nd attempt)




Fig 1.4.4 Ubuntu Regular, referenced typeface (25/04/2023)




Fig 1.4.5 Refinement (25/04/2023)

The typeface, Ubuntu in regular was used as the referenced letterform for the progress of refinement.



Fig 1.4.6 Refinement (25/04/2023)


All letterforms of terminals and finials have diagonal edges with consistency.



Fig 1.4.7 Final form (25/04/2023)


The rough outlines of the letterforms were kept to express the driedness of the petals and leaves. Also, the extra lines with curves and angles on the letterform were retained to imply the darkened and crumbled part of the leaves during the progress of dehydration.



Poster





Fig 1.4.8 Poster (25/04/2023)

The poster above was designed as if it's a poster of a romance movie.


Poster (3rd attempt)



Fig 1.4.9 Final poster JPG (26/04/2023)




Fig 1.5.1 Final poster PDF (26/04/2023)


Image resources:
Multicolor tiles at TILE.EXPERT, Pinterest

The letterforms were placed on the water as if they are floating with other flowers.


Final Submission

Letterform




Fig 1.5.2 Final letterform with grid (26/04/2023)



Fig 1.5.3 Final letterform JPG (26/04/2023)




Fig 1.5.4 Final letterform PDF (26/04/2023)

Poster



Fig 1.5.5 Final poster JPG (17/05/2023)




Fig 1.5.6 Final poster PDF (17/05/2023)

FEEDBACK

Week 1 (05/04/2023)
-Axial: The layout is fine, but the size format is wrong.

Week 2 (12/04/2023)

General feedback:
-Form(design element) must have a function.
-Leading & Consistency are important.
-The Graphic should enhance the text and not interfere.
-The texture is important. The weight and size of the typeface create the texture).
-The hierarchy of information is important. -Random Typographic System still has to provide some information.

Specific feedback:

Axial
-Not memorable enough.
-It needs to have more personality.

Dilatational
-Almost looks transitional (too wide) but still works.
-Headline (title separated in different sizes)
= miscommunication

Radial
-Graphical objects take up too much space.
-The layout is fine.

Grid
-The layout is okay, but too much negative space. Utilize the space.

Random
-Not random

Transitional
-Too Difficult to read
-The text alignment is too straight

Colour choices (hard to read)

Modular
Not modular

Bilateral
It works. The circle in the middle could be outlined to attract the proper amount of attention.
Week 3 (19/04/2023)
-The typeface doesn’t reflect the crumpled paper enough.
-It’s not characteristic enough.
-Extraction is just a starting point, it can transform.

Week 4 (26/04/2023)
-The chosen image still doesn’t provide enough characteristics. 

-The refined letterforms look okay considering the poor choice of the original image.

-The gaps between letterforms are too large.
-The poster has to be based on a photograph.

REFLECTION

Experience

During the past weeks, I worked on task 1: typographic systems and task 2: Type & Play. Before working on the first task, I had to learn and comprehend the most basic eight Typographic Systems. 


For the second task, I had to deconstruct an image to find five letters. The found letters were required to have characteristics that reflect the chosen image well. After deconstruction, the letterforms needed to go through the progress of refinement based on a reference typeface. The purpose of refining was to apply the general anatomy of existing letterforms to the rough letters; so they could function as a proper typeface. After finalizing the refinement progress, I needed to create a poster with the letters, showing a solid integration between the letterform and the image.


Observation

I observed that the grid and modular are the two hardest systems out of all typographic systems. I thought the grid system wouldn't be a challenge compared to other ones since it's the most basic and familiar. Nevertheless, I struggled to come up with a design that is not only aesthetic but also suits the grid system. The notion of the modular system was a bit ambiguous for me to understand as well.



Findings

I found that the introduction to the typographic systems has led me to a new point of view and understanding of layout and composition in a typography setting. It was fascinating to know that the abstract sense of aesthetics can be interpreted through disciplines.


Also, I already learned that typeface does more than provide the literal meaning of letters through the previous typography class. However, I was reminded once again during working on task 2. I realized that there's no limit to exploring and creating typefaces with each unique characteristic as long as continuous efforts are given. I reckon that the creation of good typefaces starts from deep observations.


FURTHER READING





Fig 1.5.5 The Vignelli Canon by Massimo Vignelli (11/04/2023)



Week 1 (pages 10 - 11)

Three aspects of Design are important: Semantic, Syntactic and Pragmatic.

Semantic
Semantic is the search for the meaning of Design. It's essential to spend enough time in the search for accurate meaning and direction. Semantic will provide the correct inception of projects (design). Semantic is a huge part of being a designer, the natural progress of design and the point of departure of design.

Design something has meaning and reason for existing, not just arbitrarily.


Week 2 (pages 12 - 13)

Syntactic

Syntactics in graphic design is overall structure such as the grid, the typefaces, the text and headlines, the illustrations, etc.


Grids help designers to achieve syntactical consistency in graphic design.



Week 3 (pages 14 - 15)


Pragmatics

Any design that causes miscommunication is a failed design.

All artifacts should be able to stand by themselves without extra explanation.



Week 4 (pages 16 - 17)

Discipline

There's no detail on the design without discipline. 

According to the "Vignelli Canon" by Massimo Vignelli, we should abide by a continuously painstaking effort of the creative process. Design without discipline is anarchy, an exercise of irresponsibility. Discipline is a tool that allows designers to work with consistency. 






Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Minor Project

-
Image
03/04/2023 -  07/07/2023  Week 1 - Week 14  Kim Min Ah / 0356145 Interactive Design  / Creative Media / Taylor's Design School GROUP 6 Kim Min Ah Catherine Herbert Temba Chai Yi Xuan Ivy Jee Yi Jie Shofwa Alyadiena Wismayandi Siti Maisarah Binti Mohd Anuwarsani (leader) PROJECT Lilly Doll Project - AIDA CLASS NOTES Design Thinking -Empathy connected to a human-centred design to solve real-world problems 5 steps of Design Thinking: -Empathize (inspiration) -Define -Ideate -Prototype  (MVP / minimum viable product) -Test What people desire What is technically and organizationally feasible What is financially viable The Target audience has to be very specific Simple and clear words that customers can understand Fit yourself into the target audience’s shoes User + need + insight (probably something that users might don’t wanna say or know how to say it) Persona Persona gives a better understanding(empathy). Sampling tool to relate better INSTRUCTIONS Fig 1.1.1 ...
Read more

Design Research Methodology

-
06/04/2023 - 06/07/2023 / Week 1 - Week 14  Kim Min Ah / 0356145 Interactive Design  / Creative Media / Taylor's Design School LECTURES Week 1 What is research? -Pursuit of knowledge.  -A systematic and creative investigation to establish facts and new conclusions. -Student research is self-directed work and exploration of the topics of interest of them. Why should we do research? -To expand knowledge of one’s academic field. -To gain academic experience. -To develop critical thinking and communication skills. -To learn research techniques. How to start? -Identify the field of interest -Further research -Research problem statement -Research question -Research objectives Week 2 Problem statement -A concise description of an issue to be addressed or a condition that can be improved on. -Identify the gap between the current state of the issue and the goal. -Problem statements should be able to help readers to understand the problem better. Research question -It has to be ans...
Read more

Information Design / Group Exercises

-
11/01/2023 -  / Week 1 - Week   Kim Min Ah / 0356145 Information Design  / Creative Media / Taylor's Design School GROUP 2.1 Tan Jaycee (Leader)  Kim Min ah  Arwinda  Celeste Low  Lee Jayden Viola  Azriq  Nick EXERCISE Group Exercises: -Exercise 1: Types of Infographics -Exercise 2: L.A.T.C.H  -Exercise 3: Miller's Law -Exercise 4: Information Visualization Manifesto INSTRUCTION Fig 1.1.1  Module Information GROUP EXERCISES Group Exercise 1: Types of Infographics  Fig 1.1.2  Group exercise week 1 Group Exercise 2: L.A.T.C.H Fig 1.1.3  Group exercise week 2 Group Exercise 3: Millar's Law Fig 1.1.4  Group exercise week 3 Group Exercise 4: Information Visualization Manifesto   Fig 1.1.5  Group exercise week 4
Read more