Advanced Typography - Task 1 : Exercise 1 & 2

March 28, 2022

Advanced Typography - Task 1 : Exercise 1 & 2

28.03.2022 - 18.04.2022 ( Week 1 - Week 5 )

Michelle Angeline Gunawan / 0349760 / Bachelor of Design in Creative Media
Advanced Typography
Exercises : Typographic Systems & Type & Play

LECTURES

Lecture 1 - Advanced Typography: Typographic Systems

"All design is based on a structural system". According to Elam, 2007, there are eight major variations with an infinite number of permutations. These are the eight major variations:

Axial
Radial
Dilatational
Random
Grid
Modular
Transitional
Bilateral

Typographical organization is complex because the elements are dependent on communication in order to function. The typographic systems are akin to what architects term shape grammars. The typographic systems are similar that the systems has a set of rules that is unique and provides a sense of purpose that focuses and directs the decision making, according to Elam, 2007.

Shape grammar : a set of shape rules that apply in a step-by-step way to generate a set or language, of designs.

Axial System
All elements are organized to the left or right of a single axis. This is the example of axial system and have been sourced from type 365.

Figure 1.1 Example of Axial System

There is one more sample of an axial system. The information has been placed on a single axis and it is going diagonally towards the right.

Figure 1.2 Example of a Diagonal Axial System

Radial System
All elements are extended from a point of focus. This is the example of Radial system and have been sourced from type 365.

Figure 1.3 Example of Radial System

Dilatational System
All elements expand from a central point in a circular fashion. This is the example of dilatational system and have been sourced from type 365.

Figure 1.4 Example of Dilatational System

Random System

Elements appear to have no specific pattern or relationship.

Figure 1.5 Random System

This is the example of random system from a student designer named Tamara Audrey.

Figure 1.6 Example of Random System

Grid System
A system of vertical and horizontal divisions.

Figure 1.7 Grid System

This is the example of grid system from a student designer named Tamara Audrey.

Figure 1.8 Example of Grid System

Modular System
A series of non-objective elements that are constructed in as a standardized unit. It is known as modular because it allows you to move the individual units to different portions of the page, so it replaces another unit at the bottom or on the side because the units are standardized.

Figure 1.9 Modular System

This is the example of grid system from a student designer named Tamara Audrey.

Figure 1.10 Example of Modular System

Transitional System
An informal system of layered banding.

banding : segregating information within certain bands

This is the example of transitional system and have been sourced from type 365.

Figure 1.11 Example of Transitional System

Bilateral System
All text is arranged symmetrically on a single axis.

Figure 1.12 Bilateral System

This is the example of bilateral system from a student designer named Tamara Audrey.

Figure 1.13 Example of Bilateral System

According to Elam, 2007, an understanding of the systems organization process allows the designer to break free from "the rigid horizontal and vertical grid systems of letter press". It allows designers to use more fluid means to create typographic messages.

Lecture 2 - Advanced Typography: Typographic Composition

Principles of Design Composition
When we think of composition, we think of the dominant principles that underlie design composition. But this abstract idea seems ambiguous when it comes to translating it into a typographic layout or composition. They seem to be more relevant to the image than complex units of information made up of different elements.

Examples:

Figure 1.14 Example of Emphasis in Typographic Composition

Rule of thirds is photographic guide to composition. It suggest that a frame can be divided into 3 columns and 3 rows. The intersecting lines are used as guide to place the points of interest within the given space. Realistically no one would ever use the rule of thirds when there are other more favorable options.

Figure 1.15 Example of Rule of Thirds in Typographic Composition

Typographic Systems
From the 8 systems the most efficient and the most used system is the Grid System, which is derived from the grided compositional structure of Letter Press printing.

It was further enhanced by what is now come to be termed as the Swiss (Modernist) style of Typography, with its foremost proponents being Josef Muller Brockmann, jan Tschichold, Max Bill and such.

Figure 1.16 Grid System "How to"

While the Grid System may seem old, the versatility of the system and its modular nature tends to allow for an infinite number of adaptations. This is why it continues to remain popular.

As a reaction to the highly ordered approach of Typography in this modernist era, a group of young designers began to question and challenge this idea of order. Thus was born the post-modernist era in which chaos, randomness and asymmetry were explored.

There was a method to their madness. Order was replaced with apparent chaos but it was exciting and 'new' for a generation that was being exposed to Punk anti-establishment thought and music. As such the asymmetry, random, repetition, dilatational and radial systems began to take root in the lexicon of designer.

Figure 1.17 Example of Post Modern Typography (Left to Right: Paula Scher, Jonathan Barnbrook and David Carson)

Other Models / Systems
Environmental Grid

It is based on the exploration of an existing structure or numerous structures combined. An extraction of crucial lines both curved and straight are formed. It is an interesting manner of exploration and provides context to the forms developed in the designs—context because of the fact that the system were developed around key features of an environment associated to the communicators of the message.

Figure 1.18 Example of Environmental Grid by Brenda McManuus

Form and Movement

It is based on the exploration of the existing Grid System. Mr. Vinod developed this system to get students to explore; many if the options the grid offers; to remove the seriousness surrounding the implementation of a grid system; and view the changing pages in the book as slowed down animations in shapes that represent the placement of images, text, and colors.

Placement of a form (regardless of what it is) on a page, across multiple pages creates movement. Whether the page is paper or screen is irrelevant.

Figure 1.19 Examples of Form and Movement System

INSTRUCTIONS

Task 1: Exercise 1 - Typographic System

Axial System Attempt
When I work on an axial system, the first thing I do is draw a line in the middle to help me arrange the elements. I realized I made a mistake in my first attempt where two elements were not on the same axis. So I decided to choose the second attempt.

Figure 2.1 Axial Progress

Figure 2.2 Axial Attempt 1

Figure 2.3 Axial Attempt 2

But, Mr. Vinod was not quite happy with my second attempt so I decided to improvised it a bit.

Figure 2.4 Axial Final Attempt

Radial System Attempt
Initially, I was having a hard time coming up with ideas to work on. Then I decided to create two circles and add elements into it.

Figure 2.4 Radial Progress

Figure 2.5 Radial Attempt

Dilatational System Attempt
When I worked on this system, I think of circles and I also think of clockwise. That's why I added clock hands to my design, but Mr. Vinod said that the clockwise is not necessary.

Figure 2.6 Dilatational Progress

Figure 2.7 Dilatational Attempt

So I removed the clockwise and a bit on the design

Figure 2.8 Dilatational Final Attempt

Random System Attempt
In my opinion, the random system is a very challenging system but it is also very interesting to work on. Even though it's random, we still have to pay attention to a few things while working.

Figure 2.9 Random Progress

Figure 2.10 Random Attempt

Grid System Attempt

Figure 2.11 Grid Progress

Figure 2.12 Grid Attempt 1

Figure 2.13 Grid Attempt 2

Mr. Vinod said that grid system is a system that is supposed to be fun to worked with, so I decided to improvised it.

Figure 2.14 Grid Final Attempt

Modular System Attempt

Figure 2.15 Modular Progress

Figure 2.16 Modular Attempt

Mr.Vinod said that he was quite confused with my modular system because the elements are not in the same shape, so I decided to make it look more proper.

Figure 2.17 Modular Final Attempt

Transitional System Attempt

Figure 2.18 Transitional Progress

Figure 2.19 Transitional Attempt

Bilateral System Attempt

Figure 2.20 Bilateral Progress

Figure 2.21 Bilateral Attempt

Task 1: Exercise 2 - Type and Play (Part 1)

For this task, we were asked to create a typeface that is sourced from an image. We have to trace the image and then transfer it to Adobe Illustrator. After that, we have to refine the typeface.

In the first attempt, I used a photo that I took when I was a senior in high school, the photo is an intersection.

Figure 3.1 First Attempt Tracing an Intersection

I found some letters in the picture then I put them together.

Figure 3.2 Letters Found in the First Image

But then when I heard that it would be easier to refine the thinner shapes so I tried tracing on another image. I chose a photo from my gallery as well that I took when I was in senior high school. This image is an intersection of the Cucurbita Dicot Stem, ts. This is my job back then. I was asked to research its structure.

Figure 3.3 Cucurbita Dicot Stem, ts

Below are the results of my tracing. On the left is the outline and the one on the right I have filled in.

Figure 3.4 Tracing Image Progress 1

And here I made a blue background to make it easier for me to see the shape and I found 5 letters, A, Y, U, F, and H.

Figure 3.5 Letters Found in the Second Image

And the next process is to move it to Adobe Illustrator and this is the result.

Figure 3.6 Results of Tracing on Adobe Illustrator

Figure 3.7 Typeface Refinement 1

Figure 3.8 Typeface Refinement 2

Figure 3.9 Letter 'A' Refinement Process

Figure 3.10 Letter 'Y' Refinement Process

Figure 3.11 Letter 'U' Refinement Process

Figure 3.12 Letter 'F' Refinement Process

Figure 3.13 Letter 'H' Refinement Process

And this is the first attempt at refining the letters.

Figure 3.14 First Attempt at Refining the letters

Mr. Vinod said he saw some consistency in my letters, but then he said I could improve the letter by adding some bubbly effects like the image. He also mentioned that I need to be careful with the sharp end of the letters. And so I fixed my letter form.

Figure 3.15 Fixed Letters

Figure 3.16 Fixed Letters with Guidelines

And when I combined my first attempt and my second attempt, it looked like this.

Figure 3.17 Combined First and Second Attempt of Refining Letters.

These are the refinement that I did to my letters.

Figure 3.18 Letters Refinements

Task 1: Exercise 2 - Type and Play (Part 2)

Firstly I went to a website known as Unsplash because I can get free image. And then I chose this one picture on the pool

Figure 3.19 Image of Pool

And then my idea is that I wanted to create a shadow under the water and I chose the word summer because the pool is identic with summer. I used these 3 tools in Adobe Photoshop.

Figure 3.20 Tools Used in Adobe Photoshop

And then I masked this layer of the ball so that the words underneath it can be covered by the ball.

Figure 3.21 Ball Layer

I also used the perspective tool to help the word look like it is in the pool. And this is the result.

Figure 3.22 Task 1: Exercise 2 Part B Final Result

FINAL RESULTS

Task 1: Exercise 1 Final Results

Figure 2.22 Final Axial System - JPEG, Week 2 (11/4/2022)

Figure 2.23 Final Radial System - JPEG, Week 2 (11/4/2022)

Figure 2.24 Final Dilatational System - JPEG, Week 2 (11/4/2022)

Figure 2.25 Final Random System - JPEG, Week 2 (11/4/2022)

Figure 2.26 Final Grid System - JPEG, Week 2 (11/4/2022)

Figure 2.27 Final Modular System - JPEG, Week 2 (11/4/2022)

Figure 2.28 Final Transitional System - JPEG, Week 2 (11/4/2022)

Figure 2.29 Final Bilateral System - JPEG, Week 2 (11/4/2022)

Figure 2.30 Task 1 - Exercise 1: Typographic Systems Final Results - PDF, Week 2 (11/4/2022)

Figure 2.31 Task 1 - Exercise 1: Typographic Systems Grids and Guides Final Results - PDF, Week 2 (11/4/2022)

Task 1: Exercise 2 Part 1 Final Result

Figure 2.32 Task 1 - Exercise 2 Part 1: Type and Play - JPEG, Week 6 (1/5/2022)

Figure 2.33 Task 1 - Exercise 2 Part 1: Type and Play - PDF, Week 6 (1/5/2022)

Task 1: Exercise 2 Part 2 Final Results

Figure 2.34 Task 1 - Exercise 2 Part 2: Type and Play - JPEG, Week 6 (1/5/2022)

Figure 2.35 Task 1 - Exercise 2 Part 1: Type and Play - JPEG Comparison, Week 6 (1/5/2022)

Figure 2.36 Task 1 - Exercise 2 Part 2: Type and Play - PDF, Week 6 (1/5/2022)

FEEDBACKS

Week 2 :

General Feedback : It is better to have fewer graphical elements (less is more). Try with black and white color first.

Specific Feedback :

- Modular System: Confusing because the grid is not in the same size.

- Dilatational System: The clockwise is not necessary.

Week 3 :

General Feedback : It is important to focus more on the shape/ texture of the image instead of focusing on the lines.

Specific Feedback : The second image has more potential to work with rather than the first image.

Week 4 :

Specific Feedback : Be careful with the sharp corner because it is not visible on the original image. Add more bubbly effect to the typeface.

Week 5 :

General Feedback : Make sure the effect that we put on our text is related to and suitable to the mood of the image

Specific Feedback : Better if I put more effect below the ball (wavy effect), but it is quite good already

REFLECTIONS

Experience :
For exercise 1, I felt quite overwhelmed working on 8 systems. But slowly I tried to handle it as best I could and got feedback from Mr. Vinod too so I find it quite helpful. For exercise 2 part 1, I was excited because I could experiment with images and create a typeface with 4 letters from the image, it is challenging but also fun at the same time. And for the second part, this exercise is quite fun. Because I can give effect to a word associated with the image we choose. Overall the tasks are fun but also very challenging.

Observations :
For the first exercise, I'm glad I've been provided with basic typography lessons from semester 1, and for this exercise, I learned that I need to pay attention to balance in asymmetry. For exercise 2, I learned to be able to adjust the text I edited and the typeface I created with the mood in the image.

Findings :
For the first exercise, I didn't feel free to design because there were a few things I had to adhere to and that was limiting me, but I learned to slowly step out of my comfort zone as well and try to design something I don't normally design.