Advanced Typography: Exercises
22/4/2024 - 13/5/2024 / Week 1 - Week 4
Tee Jia Ern / 0348512
Advanced Typography / Bachelor of Design in Creative Media
Exercises
LECTURES
Week 1: Typography System
- Some criteria includes hierarchy, order of reading, legibility and contrast
- Similar to the architecture term shape grammars, typographic systems are a guideline for the work process
1. Axial System
1. Axial System
- Every component is arranged on either the left or right side of a single axis
- The text is aligned with an axis, the axis can be bent
2. Radial System
- Every component extends from a focal point
- The text is align with a radial guideline
3. Dilatational System
- From a single point, all components spiral outward in a circle
- The text is wrapped in a circle path
4. Random System
- Appear to have no discernible pattern or connection
- In the example works, there is a lot of rotation
5. Grid System
- Framework with horizontal and vertical divisions
- The text follows the grid guideline
6. Transitional System
- Multilayer internal branding strategy
- Having a sense of layering in text, the text pathway can be curved
7. Modular System
Collection of subjective components that are put together as standardised units
8. Bilateral system
The entire text is symmetrically placed along a single axis
Fig 1.1: Typographic System
Conclusion
- Typographic system could provide distinctiveness from the grid systems
- Create a typographic statement with more fluid techniques
Week 2: Typographic Composition
Rule of thirds- A photographic guide to composition
- Divide the space into 3 columns and 3 rows
- Points of interest can be located using the intersecting lines as a reference.
Grid system
- The system's infinite variants are possible due to its modular design and adaptability.
Typography System
- There is the modernist and post modernist era
- There is the modernist and post modernist era
- The latter has exploration of chaos, randomness and asymmetry
- David Carson, Paula Scher, Jonathan Barnbrook
Fig 1.2: Typographic Designers
Environmental grid
- This system's foundation is the investigation of an already-existing structure.
- The superstructure's information is arranged by the designer.
- This system's foundation is the investigation of an already-existing structure.
- The superstructure's information is arranged by the designer.
Fig 1.3: Environmental Grid
Form and movement- When a form is positioned over multiple pages, it generates movement.
Fig 1.3: Environmental Grid
Form and movement
Week 3: Context and Creativity
Handwriting
- The initial mechanical generated letterforms were designed to closely resemble handwriting.
- The instruments and materials used to create hand-drawn letterforms have an impact on their shape and line.
Cuneiform
- The first writing system
- Pressing a reed stylus' blunt end into wet clay tablets
Hieroglyphics
- The art of relief carving is combined with the Egyptian writing system
- The earliest connection to a future alphabetic system
Fig 1.5: Hieroglyphics
- Based on the Egyptian consonantal system
- Phonetic alphabet with 22 letters was created
Roman Uncials
- Letters grew more rounded
- Less strokes were allowed by the curved form, allowing for speedier writing
English Half Uncials
- The uncial changed to a more slanted and compact form in England
Carolingian Minuscule
- This writing style served as the model for humanistic writing
- Served as the inspiration for lowercase Roman font
Black Letter
- Gothic art represented the Middle Ages artistically
Movable Type
- China, Korea, and Japan have previously created woodblock printing
- The Diamond Sutra is the oldest known printed book
Indus Valley Civilisation script
- The Indian subcontinent is home to the first known writing
Brahmi script
- India created the first writing system
Jawi
- The Arabic based alphabet
Week 4: Designing Type
Xavier Dupre (2007) proposed two reasons for designing a typeface.
- There is a societal duty associated with type design, thus it is important to keep enhancing legibility.
- An artistic form of expression is typography.
Adrian Frutiger is a famous 20th century Swiss graphic designer
- He created the type Frutiger
- His intention was to reduce the complexity of sacred characters while maintaining the expressiveness of their calligraphy
- Purpose: To create a clean, iconic and ledgible typeface that is easy to see near and far away
- Considerations/Limitations: When the reader is passing the sign fast or in low light, the letterforms must be easily visible
Fig 1.6: Frutiger Arabic
Harry Carter created the font Verdana (1996)
- Purpose: The font is really legible even at small sizes on screen due to the rise of the internet and electronic devices
- Considerations/Limitations: The font has characteristics from pixel than pen Characters like the lowercase are frequently confused.
AT&T commissioned a new typeface to be utilised in their telephone directories
- The solution is named Bell Centennial
Edward Johnston created Johnston Sans (1916)
- Tasked to create a typeface that is "bold simplicity"
- Purpose: The London Underground Railway placed an order for a new typeface to be used on its signage and posters
- Considerations/Limitations: Johnson was tasked with bringing the London Underground Group together
Fig 1.7: Johnson Sans
Process of Type Design
1. Research
Establish the type's function and the many applications for which it will be employed
2. Sketching
Designers sketch using traditional and digital tool set
3. Digitisation
There are professional software that are utilised in the digitisation of typeface including FontLab and Glyphs
4. Testing
The testing results are used to improve and fix certain characteristics of the typeface
5. Deploy
In order to keep the teething problem from getting worse, testing rigour is crucial.
INSTRUCTIONS
Exercise 1: Typographic Systems
Week 1: Typographic System Tryout
I didn't realise that there are multiple ways to follow a typographic system. It's about playing within the rules. So my first tryout is really similar to the lecturer's. It's a start, there's only more room to grow from here.
Fig 2.1: Axial System Tryout, Week 1 (22/4/2024)
Week 2: Typographic System Attempt
I decided to test out a new font for every transitional system. I chose orange as an accent colour, inspired by the punk movement. Along with a phrase, "orange is the new black". For axial system, I decided to use the font Baskerville. I liked the minimalistic look, so it's a standard grid system with a rotation in axial.
Fig 2.2: Axial System Attempt, Week 2 (29/4/2024)
Fig 2.3: Radial System Attempt, Week 2 (29/4/2024)
For the dilatational system, the font Bodoni is used. The font's circular shape language echoes the roundness of the dilatational system. I try to align the starting of the paragraphs to give some order and aid readability. I added some tracking so the circular paragraphs aligns in the end as well.
Fig 2.4: Dilatational System Attempt, Week 2 (29/4/2024)
Fig 2.5: Random System Attempt, Week 2 (29/4/2024)
Fig 2.6: Grid System Attempt, Week 2 (29/4/2024)
For transitional system, I used Garamond font. Serif fonts have a natural feel, I'm using the curve pathways for transitional system. I made a main curve pathway, then added the other content along the main path.
Fig 2.7: Transitional System Attempt, Week 2 (29/4/2024)
Fig 2.8: Modular System Attempt, Week 2 (29/4/2024)
Fig 2.9: Bilateral System Attempt, Week 2 (29/4/2024)
Typographic System Revision & Finalise
I redid the axial system spreads completely. I used a diagonal axis to emphasise the chaos of punk movement. I like the second rendition, where the paragraph splits up the title. A twist in the usual layout.
Fig 2.10: Axial System Attempt 2, Week 2 (29/4/2024)
I also refined the random system. The image below is a before and after. I focus more on the usage of tracking and leading. I also applied hierarchy to increase readability. Still the same problem persists, it is not random enough. I think it has to do with the alignment still being fixed in a square.
Fig 2.11: Random System Attempt Before and After, Week 2 (29/4/2024)
The dilatational system. I made the paragraph font size consistent, to not confuse the viewer of the change in hierarchy. I added tracking on the outer ring to align the paragraph's circular ends.
Fig 2.12: Random System Attempt Before and After, Week 2 (29/4/2024)
Final Outcome
Fig 4.1: Axial System Final - JPEG, Week 3 (6/5/2024)
Fig 4.2: Radial System Final - JPEG, Week 3 (6/5/2024)
Fig 4.3: Dilatational System Final - JPEG, Week 3 (6/5/2024)
Fig 4.4: Random System Final - JPEG, Week 3 (6/5/2024)
Fig 4.5: Grid System Final - JPEG, Week 3 (6/5/2024)
Fig 4.6: Transitional System Final - JPEG, Week 3 (6/5/2024)
Fig 4.7: Modular System Final - JPEG, Week 3 (6/5/2024)
Fig 4.8: Bilateral System Final - JPEG, Week 3 (6/5/2024)
Fig 4.9: Exercise 1: Typographic Systems - PDF, Week 3 (6/5/2024)
Fig 4.10: Exercise 1: Typographic Systems Grids and Guides - PDF, Week 3 (6/5/2024)
Exercise 2: Type and Play
Week 3: Type and Play Draft
I used an image of a plant I have at home. The pattern of the leaves are very interesting and I'd like to make a font on it. The plant is named Goeppertia makoyana. So I decided to use the word "maok" as a nifty name. I was given feedback that adding the small lines to the font to fully embrace the pattern on the leaves.
Fig 3.1: Type and Play Draft, Week 3 (6/5/2024)
I used the font Cinema Script. It is a calligraphy font with varying thickness of strokes.
Fig 3.2: Reference Type, Week 3 (6/5/2024)
I extracted the letterform from the image. Then increase the readability through adding negative space. I also aligned the text baseline.
This is the first poster mockup I did. I like the colours it's very peaceful and zen.
Fig 3.5: Type and Play Poster, Week 3 (6/5/2024)
I changed the background image to be more relevant. I moved the title upwards to reduce the negative space. I made the subtitle and logo smaller.
FEEDBACK
Week 2: Typographic Systems
General Feedback: Capitalisation and numeral types can impact readability. In some instances, selecting tabular lining figures over proportional lining figures can help with visual harmony
Specific Feedback: When referencing a design, it is likely we are influenced by the design. Taking inspiration from a wide variety of works, it helps with more variety.
Week 3: Type and Play
General Feedback: The understanding of the design process aids the font making process.
Specific Feedback: Adding the thin lines present in the pattern can give an interesting contrast in the font.
Week 4: Type and Play Revision
General Feedback: Integration of typography fonts increase visual interest.
Specific Feedback: Relevance of image is essential to make a connection between image and text.
REFLECTION
Experience: I learned the usage of typographic systems. I also learned the design process for type and play. I understand adobe illustrator when creating fonts using image reference as inspiration.
Observations: I learned about brainstorming and the creative process. Critical thinking allows for decision making which is crucial in the design process.
Findings: Mockups are part of the designing process.
FURTHER READING
Week 1
A Type Primer 2nd Ed by John Kane
A typographer changes the relationship of form and counterform. The space in the form, the space between words and the space between paragraphs.
The letterforms include technical terms such as stroke, apex, arm, ascender, barb, baseline, median, x height and more. The font has uppercase, lowercase, small capitals, uppercase numerals, lowercase numerals, italic and punctuation.
Week 2
Typography Design Form Communication
From the beginning of writing until Gutenberg's creation of moveable type, the nineteenth century, and the Industrial Revolution are all significant points in the growth of typography.
Week 3
Typographic Basics
There are san serif, serif, display, script, text, mono-spaced, dingbats. Script fonts are intended to resemble handwritten text. Text fonts evoke a sense of the past. Courier is the most common mono-spaced font.
Week 4
Typograhy Referenced
In the 17th century William Caslon founded the Caslon Type Foundry. In the 18th century John Baskerville created the type. The Bodoni type was produced by evolution. In 1920s the Gill Sans font, Futura and Times New Roman was created. In 1950s Helvetica was created.
REFERENCE
1. https://note.com/balloom/n/ndcc27d862c9a
2. https://99designs.com/blog/creative-inspiration/ripped-punk-influences-graphic-design/
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