Advanced Typography- Exercises

Advanced Typography - Exercises

26/08/19 - 09/09/19 (Week 1 - Week 3)

Sia Man Sheng

0333877

---

LECTURE NOTES

Lecture 1: Typographic Systems

05/04/19 - week 1

Today's lecture is about 8 Typographic Systems, which are prepared and presented by us on the spot.

• Axial: All elements are aligned either to the left or right of a single axis but the axis could be place in any position even itself id not a straight line(e.g. zig-zag, irregular shapes, diagonal etc.)

• Radial: All elements extend from a point of focus and can be manipulated through different approaches: emphasize, transparent radial plane, spiral, groupings and hierarchy.

• Dilatational: All elements expend from a single point in a circular fashion which helps in built up texture and create pattern. Categorized into two: rotate in non-objective matters & aligned to a single axis.

• Random: Elements appear to have no specific pattern or relationship but could be achieve through the manipulation of angle, size, cropped, overlapped or not aligned.

• Grid: A system of vertical and horizontal divisions. It can vary in terms of create subgroups, tones, shapes, transparency, golden ratio or multicolumn. The more column it has, the more flexible it is.

• Transitional: An informal system of layered bending which can be categorized into three approaches: Movement, Directional and Non-objective.

• Modular: A series of non-objective elements that are constructed as standardized unit, they are boxes they allows the design to become interchangeable. Mostly used shapes are circle, square and rectangle with different functions each. e.g. rectangle sits well with long text.

• Bilateral: All text is arranged symmetrically on a single axis, which axis not must to be in the centre or vertical, it could be place at any position with any angle. 

FIgure 1.0.1 Axial & Radial System presented by my group

Mr. Vinod has shown us good examples of senior's work, so that we could have an image on what are we going to work on. He mentioned that this might be narrowed our imagination and vision but it is necessary to have a clear vision of it.

Lecture 2: Briefing of Exercise 2

02/09/19 - week 2
This week we have no lecture but a review on Exercise 1 and briefing session of Exercise 2 instead.


Lecture 3: Overview of Exercise 2
09/09/19 - week 3
This week we have no lecture but a review on Exercise 2.1 and briefing session of Exercise 2.2 instead.


Lecture 4: No Class
16/09/19 - week 4
No class due to holiday.

Lecture 5: No Class
16/09/19 - week 4

---

INSTRUCTION

FIgure 1.0.2 Module Information Booklet

Week 1: Typographical Systems

26/08/19

We are to design 2 approaches for each typographic system which included axis, radial, dilational, random, grid, modular, bilateral and transitional based on the knowledge we learnt from Typographic Systems Book by Kimberly Elam. This should be done in Indesign with a dimension of 200mm x 200mm. Graphical elements are allowed but only used limitedly.

FIgure 1.1 Notes and Sketches done during reading

First Attempt

FIgure 1.2 Axial System (First attempt)

FIgure 1.3 Axial System (First attempt)

FIgure 1.4 Radial System (First attempt)

FIgure 1.5 Radial System (First attempt)

FIgure 1.6 Dilational System (First attempt)

FIgure 1.7 Dilational System (First attempt)

FIgure 1.8 Random System (First attempt)

FIgure 1.9 Random System (First attempt)

FIgure 1.10 Grid System (First attempt)

FIgure 1.11 Grid System (First attempt)

FIgure 1.12 Transitional System (First attempt)

FIgure 1.13 Transitional System (First attempt)

FIgure 1.14 Modular System (First attempt)

FIgure 1.15 Modular System (First attempt)

FIgure 1.16 Bilateral System (First attempt)

FIgure 1.17 Bilateral System (First attempt)

Second Attempt

FIgure 2.1 Axial System (Second attempt)

 

FIgure 2.2 Axial System (Second attempt)

FIgure 2.3 Radial System (Second attempt)

FIgure 2.4 Radial System (Second attempt)

FIgure 2.5 Dilational System (Second attempt)

FIgure 2.6 Dilational System (Second attempt)

FIgure 2.7 Random System (Second attempt)

FIgure 2.8 Random System (Second attempt)

FIgure 2.9 Grid System (Second attempt)

FIgure 2.10 Grid System (Second attempt)

Figure 2.11 Transitional System (Second attempt)

Figure 2.12 Transitional System (Second attempt)

Figure 2.13 Modular System (Second attempt)

Figure 2.14 Modular System (Second attempt)

Figure 2.15 Bilateral System (Second attempt)

Figure 2.16 Bilateral System (Second attempt)

Figure 2.17 Finalized Artwork (Typographical Systems)

Week 2: Type and Play

02/09/19

We are requested to select a image to analyze, dissect and find the potential letterform from it. Then, transform the crude representation of letterform into a more refined celebration which reflects the characteristics of its origin. Initially, I have selected 3 images as my starting point:

Figure 3.1 Cracked Ground (Type and Play)

Figure 3.2 Reflection of light on the water surface (Type and Play)

Figure 3.3 Sea (Type and Play)

I have selected figure 3.2 as my reference as it has certain degree of flexibility and clean but wavy lines to have the potential in creating its letterform. The reason not to choose figure 3.1 is because it has only clean straight line which might lose the challenge in this exercise and figure 3.3 contained very high complexity which leads to time consuming.

Extraction

Figure 3.4 Letters I have traced are A, B, C, O, P, U

Figure 3.5 Letters I have extracted are A, B, C, O, P, U

Figure 3.6 Extracted Letterforms  (A, B, C, O, P, U)

Refining (Second Attempt)

As Mr. Vinod said that I lose way too much of characteristics, hence I need to move backwards to capture back some characteristic or might need to look at the image to refine it now. It is good to maintain the variation of thickness and distortion in it.

Figure 3.7 Extracted Letterforms compare to reference typeface(Universe Std Roman) 

Figure 3.8 Refined Letterform compare(Lower) with extracted letterforms (First Attempt)

Figure 3.9 Refined Letterform compare(Lower) with extracted letterforms (Second Attempt)

Figure 3.10 Finalized Letterforms(Lower) Compare to Previous Letterforms (Third Attempt)

Figure 3.11 Finalized Letterform "O" (Third Attempt)

Figure 3.12 Finalized Letterform "A" (Third Attempt)

Figure 3.13 Finalized Letterform "P" (Third Attempt)

Figure 3.14 Finalized Letterform "C" (Third Attempt)

Figure 3.15 Finalized Letterform "B" (Third Attempt)

Figure 3.16 Finalized Letterform "U" (Third Attempt)

Figure 3.17 Finalized Letterforms (Third Attempt)

Week 3&4: Type and Play(Part II)

09/09/19 - 16/09/19

In Part II, we are to combine short sentence with appropriate image. Image can be man-made structure, object or nature. This project is to enhance us on interplay and interaction between the sentence and selected image. Text must be in a symbiotic relationship with the image.

First Attempt
First attempt I was trying to convey the message of there is some people suffering from hunger. Trying to let the audience feel the strong concept of "famine" & "hunger" and to call out their sympathy. 

Figure 4.1 Image Sources (First Attempt)

Figure 4.2 Selected Image (First Attempt)

Figure 4.3 Process- adjust saturation and added blur filter (First Attempt)

Figure 4.4 Process- interact with letterform "O" as the "food" he is eating (First Attempt)

Figure 4.5 Process- Form a complete word of "FOOD" (First Attempt)

Figure 4.6 Final Outcome (First Attempt)

 I feel not satisfy with this outcome because the elements of interaction with the image is not that much, basically only letterform "O" did that. Although this is conveying a strong message and does give the strong feeling towards it, but then I decided to work on another idea.  

Second Attempt
While having experience in the previous attempt, I decided to enhance on how can I interpret the word with the image, this image does inspired me a lot.

Figure 4.7 Reference Image (Second Attempt)

The Idea is breaking through something and hence, I choose the sentence- BREAK IT THROUGH.

 While selecting the image of a guy is running fast towards the audiences and the position of breaking through something.

Figure 4.8 Selected Image (Second Attempt)

Figure 4.9 Process- Adjusting Dimension with Content Aware Scale (Second Attempt)

Figure 4.10 Process- Adding on sentence (Second Attempt)

Figure 4.11 Process- Softening the edge of letterforms using explosion effect brush & make the background blur and darker  (Second Attempt)

Figure 4.12 Process-  Adding cracked pieces (Second Attempt)

Figure 4.13 Process-Adding Clipping Mask to create crack effect  (Second Attempt)

Figure 4.14 Process- Adjusting Colour (Second Attempt)

Figure 4.15 Process- Adding dust effect (Second Attempt)

Figure 4.16 Dust Effect Source  (Second Attempt)

Figure 4.17 Process- Adding Large blurred Pieces as foreground to enhance the impact (Second Attempt)

Figure 4.18 First Outcome after adding shadow to the background (Second Attempt)

Figure 4.19 Refining after getting feedback

Final Artwork

Figure 4.20 Final Outcome

---

FEEDBACK

Week 01

26/08/19
General Feedback:
Mr. Vinod did give us advice on research methodology: When we have a target then we should identify the variation of it and discuss them. Fully utilize what exists in our surroundings, to experiences and realize what we have. After that is to done with more readings so that we do not work on something which has been done by somebody. If it is done by somebody, then we should make a variation. The requirement is always to produce with reliable and valid data.


When it is our turn to present on today's topic, Mr. Vinod did advice us to make eye contacts with the audiences, ask them questions but not only limit the question to be answered by one person. It should be carry on with different people until we get the most accurate answer. Especially can call the one who is not paying attention.
Personal Feedback:

Week 02
02/09/19
General Feedback:
Exercise 1 has direct relationship to exercise 2 although we had not master it but it is important to know how is different typographic systems work. Content has to have some stylist influence into the typographic system. Please beware of Exercise 2 of not to lost the inherit of the original characteristic but at the same time to find out the midpoint to refine the letterforms.

Mr. Vinod said that I am trying on the next level of Axial system, need to standardize the spacing between spacing and shapes. My first design of radial system is good, never seen this kind of work done before - manipulation of negative space. Dilational could have more rhythm to it. Bilateral, grid, random, transitional systems are fine but could have improve more.

Week 03
09/09/19
General Feedback:
Please refer to the example and know how many steps of refine and follow exactly the same as the example shown in senior's work. At the point when extracting, we are to extract as much details as we can so that we could have enough traits of it to when refining. Oppositely, if we have only minimum characteristic initially. It might loose its characteristic. We should always have the formal letterform in mind and move towards it while refining.

Personal Feedback:
First attempt of extraction was good, P is the best with the characteristic extracted quit well, other letters should look towards this. Mr. Vinod said that I am way too much forward until I lose quit a lot of characteristic when refining it, maybe should maintain the thin and thick which is the most obvious characteristic can be observed.

Week 05
23/09/19
General Feedback:
Mr.Vinod advice us on exercise 2.1 - Finding Type. The type should be traced in very detailed. Then, extract it and place it on the baseline. Only thing left is to refine it now but bare in mind that if we do not trace detail enough in the beginning, it tends to loose its identity, so is crucial to trace the details.

Personal Feedback:
For exercise 2.1 is good. For Exercise 2.2, first attempt I have interesting idea but lacking of interplay between the word and the image. The sentence should be in sequence "we need food" but not "food we need" OR just "FOOD need". For second attempt, Mr. Vinod like the effect and interplay is good just needed to improve in terms of composition. The sentence seems like too horizontal and making the bottom part empty. Make it white for contrast and become stand out. Remove the texture of it as too complex. If I want pop out effect, I should remove the background until the earthline instead of keeping part of the sky.

---

REFLECTION

Experiences:
The most successful changes compare to previous semester is that I finally could do work in the class which I felt annoyed every time. It is because the workload are getting more and more so I have to develop myself to fit in this situation and environment. From that, I realized working in class is truly helpful as I can seek for feedback frequently or to clarify any doubts on the spot. I am more prefer face to face learning, this is the most effective way for me.

Observations:
When we have the chance to present the lecture, we learnt some techniques from Mr. Vinod. This is some extra useful knowledge we only can learnt from a experts with so many teaching experience. The Q&A technique sometimes is not about to find out the answer is whether correct or not, it is to share the thoughts of different people, so we can pass the question around and let people to present their mind. Sometimes might be far away from the answer what I expected but there are more creative thoughts from different perspective.

Findings:
What I found in the exercises is I noticed that scale or details of the sources what we refer to does play an important role. If we not observe and understand it thoroughly, the outcome might be altered from what we want. Just like what Mr. Vinod keep on repeating in every single class. And when I started to work with this consideration in mind, I started to know which part to select to refer or extract it. Even when I am at the final stage I found my artwork has loose certain characteristic through modification, I know where to extract and recover that particular part to bring back the characteristic.

---

FURTHER READING

Figure 5.1 What is Typography by David Jury

What is Typography by David Jury

As we are going to work on the final project hence, I am looking at information regrading graphic communication in this book. It is crucial to know the target audience before convey a message to them. As different people might look things differently. For example, Special Large print books were designed for children  with weak sight but medical discouraged people with poor vision from using their eyes for "close" reading since it will be harmful to them.

Nowadays, we can see fly posters, sticker or graffiti everywhere, some of them are designed by designers, some are not. Some of the "nondesigned" typography will have been made with commercial or political intent, some will be serendipitous, or caused by neglect. For example, the hand-drawn notice attract attention because we seem to be naturally drawn to anything that is unexpected. A hurriedly drawn price sign on a market stall seems like working well without feeling inappropriate due to the product of its fresh fruit. But if a permanent sign is hurriedly done, its informality will be perceived to be inappropriate.

Figure 5.2 Typographic Design： Form and Communication 

by ROb Carter, Ben Day and Philip Meggs

Typographic Design: Form and Communication 

by Rob Carter, Ben Day and Philip Meggs

Focusing on the typographic message in this book as I need this to help up my final project which is to conveying a message through poster. Typography message are effective, could be clearly communicate and are etched into the mind and memory are those characterized by absolute clarity in form and content.Typography could be describe as a language of potent visible signs, a language capable of educating, persuading, informing, and entertaining while maintaining lucidity and aesthetic beauty.

With the proliferation of typographic messages littering the environment, most are missed or ignored. The message that are noted has to be appropriate to the needs of both message transmitter and message receiver in order to achieve effective qualities. Some people think that printed and broadcast message has only little impact upon their audiences. This is false. Instead, they have a long-range effect upon the audiences, influencing change within the context of social, economic and political events.

---