Climbing up the Advanced Mountains of Typography
GCD 61004 | Advanced Typography
Week 35 - Week 48
Sangeetha A/P V Supramaniam | 0339644
Lectures
Lecture 1 :
Introduction to the module
Week 1 | 26th August 2019
Upon entering the class, we were introduced to 2 lecturers, Mr Vinod and Mr Shamsul. They took us through the Module Information Booklet and briefed us on the expectations and requirements of the class.
The first lesson/presentation divided the class into four groups. Each presenting two of the 8 Typographic Systems - Axial, Radial, Dilatational, Random, Grid, Modular, Transitional and Bilateral (thesis by Kimberly Elam). Our group (Group 3) was chosen to present Grid and Modular. We were given a reasonable amount time to prepare the presentation. After my part presenting the Introduction to the Modular System.
I raised the question:
'What's the difference between the Grid System and Modular System?'
In a nutshell, the Modular system is a flexible version of the Grid system. The Modular system is about moving spaces around. Whereas, the Grid system is about moving information around a fixed space.
I raised the question:
'What's the difference between the Grid System and Modular System?'
In a nutshell, the Modular system is a flexible version of the Grid system. The Modular system is about moving spaces around. Whereas, the Grid system is about moving information around a fixed space.
Lecture 2 : No lecture
Week 2 | 2nd September 2019
We were focused on showing the Typographic systems and to get feedback as to improve our works before the submission date.
Lecture 3 : No Lecture
Week 3 | 9th September 2019
We showed our dissected letterforms for exercise Type and Play : Part 1- Finding Type and got our feedback to improve the work further. Mr. Vinod briefed about the next exercise which is Type and Play : Part 2 - Type & Image.Mr Vinod informed us that in the industry, we're most likely dealing with the combination of type and imagery. Make a play of text to intertwine with the imagery. Not slap on the text, instead, understand the movement and energy within. To increase the intimacy between text and image, becoming one with each other. Forging a relationship between text and image.
We have the liberty to take our own picture or find one online. Find text to compose around the image. It is an open brief. Just apply a headline or anything between 1-3 sentences. Use within the 9 typefaces stated in the first exercise. Challenge yourself, chase the learning.
Lecture 4 : No LectureWeek 4 | 16th September 2019
Public holiday.
Lecture 5 : Typographic Perception and Organization
Week 5 | 23rd September 2019
Our group presented today for the topic above. I presented the section regarding the composition using Rule of Thirds and adding in the possibility of using The Golden Ratio and The Rule of Odds (framing an object with 2 others to create an odd number of 3 suggesting balance and harmony to the composition). Also, I presented reading lines, whereby our eye tends to follow the motion from top left to bottom right.
Compilation of all presentations:
Exercises
Exercise 1: Typographic Systems
Week 1 | Briefed on 26th August 2019
Leading to our first individual exercise to produce/explore these 8 Typographic Systems using the specific content stated in the MIB; within the 200 mm x 200 mm size using Adobe InDesign. We will be producing 2 for each Typographic System, hence a total of 16 artworks. Taking note that we are only allowed 9 typefaces that was shared in the previous semester. Also, we are required to use very minimal non-objective elements and only one colour which excludes black, white or grey.The 8 systems mentioned above are to be explored using the following content:
The Design School, Taylor’s University
All ripped up: Punk Influences on Design
or
The ABCs of: The Bauhaus and Design Theory
Open Public Lectures:
November 24, 2019 Lew Pik Svonn, 9AM-10AM Ezrena Mohd., 10AM-11AM Suzy Sulaiman, 11AM-12PM
November 25, 2019 Muthu Neduraman, 9AM-10AM Fahmi Reza, 10AM-11AM Fahmi Fadzil, 11AM-12PM
Lecture Theatre 12
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| Image S01: Initial sketches |
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| Image S02: Initial sketches |
When placed in the 200m x 200mm layout on InDesign:
Exercise 2 (part 1): Type and Play - Finding Type
How do you get inspiration for a typeface? E.g. Movie or event posters. We can get them by looking at man-made objects, structures or nature. We must first identify anything around us, and be able to lift letters of the image captured. Never start with something in your head. It's about developing character of the existing subject matter. Few things to keep in mind:
- Create the dissections with direct interpretations while mimicking different shapes and letterforms
- Look at the original letters and refine them while not losing the inherent style of the type
- Compare and contrast the letters with a common sans serif/serif to find a middle point (mostly have good symmetry)
- Refrain from using existing fonts. What you can or cannot do is not written in stone, it's a question of having the right balance
Steps:
1) Identify anything/ Find a picture to work with
2) Go through trial and error with the extraction
3) Dissections with minimum 5 alphabets
4) Refine and refine
Execution:
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| Image E01. Axial System |
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| Image E02. Grid System |
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| Image E03. Radial System |
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| Image E04.1 Modular System (Version 1) |
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| Image E04.2 Modular System (Version 2) Change (Left): Align text/information blocks universally to the bottom to more obviously portray a system |
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| Image E05.1 Bilateral System (Version 1) |
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| Image E05.2 Bilateral System (Version 2) Change (Left): Using three bilateral lines, all text must be centralized to ensure proper symmetry |
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| Image E06. Dilatational System |
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| Image E07.1 Trasitional System (Version 1) |
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| Image E07.2 Trasitional System (Version 2) Change (Left): Prevent awkward spacing between information |
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| Image E08. Random System |
Final compilation:
Exercise 2 (part 1): Type and Play - Finding Type
Week 2 | Briefed on 02nd September 2019
How do you get inspiration for a typeface? E.g. Movie or event posters. We can get them by looking at man-made objects, structures or nature. We must first identify anything around us, and be able to lift letters of the image captured. Never start with something in your head. It's about developing character of the existing subject matter. Few things to keep in mind:- Create the dissections with direct interpretations while mimicking different shapes and letterforms
- Look at the original letters and refine them while not losing the inherent style of the type
- Compare and contrast the letters with a common sans serif/serif to find a middle point (mostly have good symmetry)
- Refrain from using existing fonts. What you can or cannot do is not written in stone, it's a question of having the right balance
Steps:
1) Identify anything/ Find a picture to work with
2) Go through trial and error with the extraction
3) Dissections with minimum 5 alphabets
4) Refine and refine
Execution:
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| Image E2.01: Left shows the chosen image which is a messy pile of loose ribbons. Right is a black and white version. |
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| Image E2.02: Extracting random letters from the pile |
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| Image E2.03: Analyzing the letters as a set. To consider that perhaps a 3D element can be applied to enhance the inherent style or characteristic of the type. |
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Image E2.04: Comparing the symmetry of individual letters between ribbon inspired letters and an sans serif typeface.
Adjusting the letters to have the same width and height. Providing a more uniform look.
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| Image E2.05: Letters are refined further by smoothing the curved/turning corners. |
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| Image E2.06: Letters are refined again further by straightening the ends. |
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| Image E2.07: Final refined letters C, V, Y, T, S and R, inspired by messy ribbons |
Exercise 2 (part 2): Type and Image
Week 3 | Briefed on 09nd September 2019
Mr Vinod informed us that in the industry, we're most likely dealing with the combination of type and imagery. Make a play of text to intertwine with the imagery. Not slap on the text, instead, understand the movement and energy within. To increase the intimacy between text and image, becoming one with each other. Forging a relationship between text and image.We have the liberty to take our own picture or find one online. Find text to compose around the image. It is an open brief. Just apply a headline or anything between 1-3 sentences. Use within the 9 typefaces stated in the first exercise. Challenge yourself, chase the learning.
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| Image E2.1.01: Image chosen for the exercise: Bubbles! on black background |
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| Image E2.1.02: Placing the sentence 'Fragile Perspectives' onto the image. Breaking it to several reading lines and planning the wrapping effect for later in red marks. |
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| Image E2.1.03: Exporting the image onto Photoshop to add the wrap and blur effects. |
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| Image E2.1.04: Image with type produced. However, there is an issue of illegibility. |
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| Image E2.1.05: Final image of 'Fragile Perspectives'. I've added additional details at the bottom right in circular form to mimic the bubble shape. |
Feedback
Week 1-2
Exercise 1 : Typographic Systems
General feedbackTo have stylistic influence within the type itself to provide some variation and fun.
InDesign: It's helps to provide your layout with both margins and columns as well as rows for additional guidance.
Paragraph spacing: Needs to be taken into account as well to diffentiate information.
Print pt size: For print, bodycopy tends to stand at 8pt-12pt, whereas if a product for screen, it may be 14pt-20pt.
Modular system: Note that information needs to sit within a fixed area whereby you may interchange freely within the artwork. Spaces can be of any size or 4-sided-shape. Information must not be split on its own, otherwise it defeats the purpose of the modular system. Individual feedback Transitional system (left): Needs to be re-looked. There are awkward spaces between the information.
Bilateral system (left): The information needs to be centralized to the bilateral line. We can expand on the rules to add more than 1 bilateral line on the layout. Open for debate. So I used 3 bilateral lines for the second option. *Other layouts no comments, were fine.
Week 3
Exercise 1 (Part 2) : Type and Play - Finding Type
General feedbackTo have stylistic influence within the type itself to provide some variation. The dissection process is important to properly know what inherent elements to retain and what to forego if it over-complicates the type or make it hard to recognize the letter.
Individual feedback
To refine the letters further to provide a more unanimous look and feel.
To refine the letters further to provide a more unanimous look and feel.
Week 4
Exercise 1 (Part 2) : Type and Play - Finding Type
"Can I see the original image without the text. What’s the line? Also, it’s a wee bit similar to an existing known poster..." I asked if i should consider a new composition, but he said, "Not necessarily, if you were not influenced by it. However you should be aware of it... many a times these become points of contention in real-life scenarios—accusations of plagiarism and such, even though they may have been coincidental. Google’s image search does help to a degree."
Individual Feedback
The interaction between type and image is good but the words are illegible/unreadble. I’ve caused it by distorting the letters and on top of that breaking the line of reading into multiple layers, so there’s two mountains for the readers to overcome before receiveing the message. So maybe it’s best to keep them in one line and just allow the distortion through the bubbles to occur. The visual may not need to be vertical, it can be horizontal. Perhaps since there’s additional space at the corner, would’t hurt to add some type there.
Week 5
Exercise 1 (Part 2) : Type and Play - Finding Type
They liked the interplay between the bubbles and letters and it looks much better since it's broken to 2 lines, making it legible and cleaner. Adding the extra information at the corner is fine.
Reflection
Experiences
Week 1
As my first day in University, everything around me was new. It's fair to say that my knowledge of Typography itself is well out of date and lacking. My Diploma experience has not prepared me for this but I am looking forward to the challenge. I was one of the three new students who kept looking around, bothering the lecturers and classmates for help with plenty of 'how to' and 'what is'. Also, being new to Blogger and it's functions does not help.
Coming into class on a public holiday was an interesting experience. All that open space and lack of students walking about was refreshing. I experienced my first Degree exercise feedback session. It was not as bad as i thought it would be. Hoping I will do well in this class.
Day 2 of a holiday class. It's refreshing to attend class with very minimal humans around. It's peaceful and sets the tone right for the rest of the class. Mr Vinod and Mr Shamsul said very minimal regarding my exercise and mentioned that I did well. I feel confused and somewhat lost without any criticism or feedback on my exercise.
It was declared a holiday so we did not need to attend class in campus. Instead, I messaged Mr Vinod on Facebook for the first time ever for feedback regarding my work. The exchange was valuable for me to improve my work further. However, I would prefer to have a face-to-face discussion rather than an online one. As I am able to couple his tone of voice or facial expressions to the feedback given. It makes a difference for me in this sense.
Class today began with a presentation by my group. It was an interesting one since we asked questions to the audience and the audience asked us as well. Even more so that Mr Vinod directed questions towards our group.
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Observations
Week 1
The environment in every aspect was alien to me. I had to observe my classmates and pick up from them on what to do next because they seemed well prepared although it was only the first day of class.
It was insightful going through some of my classmates works while shadowing the lecturers as they gave their comments. We can learn plenty from just being a fly on the wall and observing the work of others, while learning from their mistakes and take not of their success points.
Everyone seemed to be hard at work at their letter refining. I didn't get to chat much with my classmates today.
The haze seems to be penetrating my sense of focus and health. I tend to tire easily during this week compared to before.
Everyone seems to be busy at work with both exercises.
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Findings
Week 1
Upon realizing that I was very left behind in various aspects of the class. I knew that a major mission for catching up was in order. This module will not only challenge my skill sets and thinking capabilities as a designer, but also my capabilities to adapt to brand new environments and rise when the occasion demands it.
Exercise 1 (part 2) was an interesting one. I never had to get inspiration for type from a random image. Goes to show creativity can spring from anywhere, but its the duty of designers that need to make it make sense and add the aesthetic aspect to it. I look forward to building entire typeface's from this method and other like it.
We began with Exercise 2 (part 2) and it was an entertaining one. I've always wanted to play with time and image and go through the whole trial and error phase to see what comes out of it.
I realized that maybe I should get information from more books as to widen my knowledge on the subjects I am dealing with this semester. My further reading section doesn't seem to be growing so might as well. Never hurts to have more information or to expand ones' knowledge.
Week 2
Exercise 1 (part one) gave a good foundation as to how layouts can be expressed and changed using the Typographic systems. However, they exist as merely guides to our subjective art and design world. How we challenge and expand upon them is entirely our own initiative.
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Further Reading
Typographic Systems by Kimberly Elam
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