Advanced Typography - Exercise
Exercises (Week 1 - Week 4)
Advance TypographyJason Junior Lim Yung Hsin (034 0569)
Week 1 - Intro & Typographic Systems (Lecture)
On this 1st topic of typographic systems, we learned about text and how there are many different forms of arrangements of the text when it comes to designing a typographic layout. It ranges from something more rigid like a the grid form to something formless like random. This lesson / lectures was able to show not only the true uses of typography in design but also that we are not limited to using only one style or form of typographic arrangements. Combining and implementing 2 or more styles in moderation can create a dynamic and eye catching design.
Instuctions
Week 2 - Exercise
Typographical Systems
For this assignment we were tasked to create 2 designs for each typographic system presented in the class. Each design must stay true to the characteristics of the system but also only use typefaces provided by lecturer.
1st Try
#1 - Axial
feedback -
Acceptable, however design 2 has to be realigned.
#2 -
Radial
feedback -
Good, but work on letter spacing.
#3 -
Dilatational
feedback -
Good, but work on letter spacing.
#4 -
Random
feedback -
Good.
#5 - Grid
feedback -
Too rigid and gird is too obvious.
#6 -
Modular
feedback -
Idea is there but too messy. Try to stick to a constant.
#7 -
Transitional
feedback -
Redo 1st one, too rigid. Second one is good.
#8 -
Bilateral
feedback -
Both having too much non-objective element.
Corrected (2nd Try)
As per feedback direction, corrections or redesigns were made to the designs.
Axial 1
Axial 2
Radial 1
Radial 2
Dilatational 1
Dilatational 2
Random 1
Random 2
Grid 1
Grid 2
Modular 1
Modular 2
Transitional 1
Transitional 2
Bilateral 1
Bilateral 2
Week 3 - Exercise
Type & Play
Task: Find type while analysing and dissecting an image.
1st attempt
1st image used.
I chose this image mainly because i was drawn to the many details and shapes of the cloud formations. Although some may argue that it looks more like waves from the perspective inside of water but when i searched it up it was definitely clouds.
Here you see i'm trying to create outlines and dissect the
image for all the small details it might have. But you will see later in the
images below how i had difficulty separating the forms of the clouds and
decided to change my image after seeking advice from the lecturer.
Feedback: The shape that i have formed seem to be missing
the idea and shape of the cloud formations. Try looking at the bigger clusters
as apposed to each small clump.
P
J
G
V
Y
This not so successful attempt lead me to change my image to
something with more distinct details.
2nd attempt
2nd image used is a carved wooden mandala. This image
definitely has better details to draw outlines from. I took inspiration from the many details of a wooden carved mandala design as i've always found their symmetry, detail and unique curves to be very appealing.
Step 1 was to decide which section i wanted to dissect
because the mandala design had a repeating pattern.
Step 2 was to outline and dissect details inside the image
and to draw out forms and shapes.
Step 3.1 was to figure out which 5 shape i wanted to use to
represent letters. Futura was used as the reference typeface to polish the
shapes into more legible letters.
Step 3.2
Step 3.3
Step 3.4
Final Outcome
C
J
T
U
V
Feedback : Good work on the assignment. Only the
"C" from step 3.3 needs to be corrected to have less embellishment on
the top curve. Corrected as shown in Step 3.4
Week 4 - Exercise
Type & Image
This image was chosen to create a typographic and image design. I chose this because i see it as an image with movement. I feel that adding a specific type to it could enhance the movement and add more dynamic perspective to it.
Step 1 was to crop the image down to an A3 size.
Step 2 was to overlay a filter so that the image will be
monotoned in an indigo colour.
Step 3 was adding a frame around the image to draw the eyes
into the image. The text "Feel The Run" was chosen to be added into
the image.
Step 4 was to crop certain parts of letters so that the
letters would appear to be behind the runners.
Adjustments and a shadow was added to create depth in the
image.
Outcome.
Week 5 - Exercise
Feedback: The artwork i created wasn't really playing
enough with the arrangement of the text. Mr Vinod advised that it's not the
image i chose that was the issue but the creative use of the text. Will
rearrange the text to have more dynamic movement.
Final Designs
Feedback
Week 2 - ExerciseTypographical System
A breakdown of Mr Vinod's Feedback:
Axial - Acceptable, but text in design 2 has to be rearranged
Radial - Good, but work on the letter spacing.
Dilatation - Good, but work on letter spacing.
Random - Good.
Grid - The shape of the grid is too obvious and rigid. Work on making the style less obvious.
Modular - Idea is there, but it's too messy. Try to stick to a constant shape.
Transitional - 1st design has to be redone. Design doesn't look good. Second design is good.
Bilateral - Both designs have to be redone. Too much objective elements.
Week 3 - Exercise
Type & Play
1st attempt was unsuccessful as the image I've chosen has too little detail to for me to properly find a dissect a type. Mr Vinod advice me to look for the bigger clusters of clouds rather than one clump of it at a time. However i feel that it's not quite a usable image, so i've chosen to change it to a mandala wood carving image.
Mr Vinod liked the second mandala design. The type was properly adjusted, how ever "C" was a little too big in the embellishment around the top area, so that was correct accordingly.
Week 4 - Exercise
Type & Image
Mr Vinod was unimpressed with the design. The issue with my design was that there was no play. The text was rigid and was not adding any typographical design value to the image. I was advised to be more creative with the text and not leave it rigid.
Reflection
Experience
Week 1
I'm very much new to the class, and seems like it's noticeable. I along with 2 other students were introduced as new intake students. Much happened as we were asked to present about typographic systems.
Week 2
Presenting my work to the lecturers were very nerve wrecking as I'm not familiar with the lecturer and won't know how they would grade my work. During the comments, Mr Vinod mentioned some parts he liked and didn't like. I knew what he was talking about as some of those things I've always had problems with.
Week 3
Learning to dissect images for type was a new experience for me. I've only ever arrange objects to form letter and take pictures of the items to use as proof.
Week 4
My distaste for typography was quite obvious as my work was completely uninteresting to the lecturers. I had to change my mindset on the subject in order to improve myself.
Observations
Week 1I and few other students were new to class. The class is a little bigger than i had expected. What was more unexpected was that we were already asked to present lectures on the 1st day of class.
Week 2
We had to begin showing out work for Exercise 1. I managed to finish almost all on time. Mr Vinod and Mr Shamsul began critiquing everyone's work.
Week 3
I was still trying to get familiar with the class, but i noticed everyone being very calm and continuing their work in a rather normal and slow pace. It seems i have to communicate more with everyone to get more used to the class.
Week 4
I was now getting more comfortable with talking to the others in class, but my work seemed to be unimpressive to Mr Vinod and Mr Shamsul. There's always something slightly missing in my art work that i can't quite pin point.
Findings
Week 1
I don't really have much to say about my findings as it's only the 1st week of classes for me.
Week 2
I found that I would many times over use the objective elements in a typographic design. So I have to try harder to be more cautious about type rather than shapes.
Week 3
Although my 1st imaged used in the dissection was pretty bad, i found that Mr Vinod's advice on looking at the bigger picture rather than too many small details help me.
Week 4
I found that making typography that has movement is more difficult than i had initially thought. Maneuvering the text around an image is far more difficult and requires more experience.
Further Reading
What is Typography? By David Jury
