Advanced Typography Exercises
28/8/2023 - 1/12/2023 Week 1 - Week 14
Wong Kai Xin / 0353027
Advanced Typography / Bachelor of Design in Creative Media / The Design School
Exercises
LECTURES / CLASS NOTES
Week 1 :
The 8 typographic systems:
1. Axial
- contents are arranged on the left or right of a singe axis
axis could be bent, as long as it's still ONE LINE
Fig 1.1 example of axial system
- all elements are spread from a point of focus
3. Dilatational
Fig 1.2 example of radial system
- all elements arranged in a circular motion, could be in different rings and
could be arranged in sequence of importance (eg: most important info on
outermost ring, least important info in the inner ring)
Fig 1.3 examples of dilatational system
4. Random
- content arranged in no specific order
Fig 1.4 example of random system
5. Grid
- a system of vertical and horizontal divisions
Fig 1.5 example of grid system
6. Transitional
- an informal system of layered banding (has a flow to it)
Fig 1.6 example of transitional system
7. Modular
- can move content around but still readable
- must use grids and columns!
Fig 1.7 example of modular system
8. Bilateral
- all text is arranged symmetrically on a single axis
Fig 1.8 example of bilateral system
guide on modular typographic system
Week 2 :
- Briefing of second task
1. extract 5 letterforms
2. identify a font reference
2. refine letters
Typographic composition
Rules of third are used as a guide to organize information within the
points in the space provided
Fig 2.1 example of how rules of third is used
Environmental Grid is basically like having a blank canvas with
crucial lines, could be straight or curved and with that, start organizing
information in there with non-objective elements to create texture and
visual stimuli.
Fig 2.2 example of how environmental grid is used
- compare your work to others, evaluate yourself to improve more effectively
- interlace letters with background
Week 4 :
- Mr Vinod gave us a talk on selecting our specialisations in the near future and that we should be more cautious with our choices, do some research about it.
- We were introduced to the site https://www.pentagram.com/
INSTRUCTIONS
EXERCISES
Exercise 1 (typographic systems)
We were to come up with one (arial) typographic system layout in class
and this was my first try on the axial system
Fig 3.1 first attempt on axial system 1/9/2023
I felt like it was too simple and the content doesn't look harmonious as
one. So, I tried improving it
Fig 3.2 attempt 2 on axial system 4/9/2023
The space was used up more wisely and I also changed the typeface so it
looks better overall.
Fig 4.1 axial typographic system progress 10/9/2023
Fig 4.2 radial typographic system progress 10/9/2023
Fig 4.3 random typographic system progress 10/9/2023
Fig 4.4 grid typographic system progress 10/9/2023
Fig 4.5 transitional typographic system progress 10/9/2023
Fig 4.6 dilatational typographic system progress 11/9/2023
Fig 4.7 modular typographic system progress 11/9/2023
Fig 4.8 bilateral typographic system progress 11/9/2023
After the feedback session in class, I was told that my modular and
bilateral typographic system was incorrect so I tried doing a little
more research to study about it.
Fig 5.1 modular typographic system progress 13/9/2023
this was my attempt after however, I feel like it's still kind of
off as it didn't look balanced.
Fig 5.2 modular typographic system final 14/9/2023
Submission:
Fig 6.1 axial typographic system (JPEG)
Fig 6.2 radial typographic system (JPEG)
Fig 6.3 random typographic system (JPEG)
Fig 6.4 grid typographic system (JPEG)
Fig 6.5 bilateral typographic system (JPEG)
Fig 6.6 modular typographic system (JPEG)
Fig 6.7 dilatational typographic system (JPEG)
Fig 6.8 transitional typographic system (JPEG)
Fig 6.91 typographic system with guides (PDF)
Fig 6.92 typographic systems (PDF)
Exercise 2 (Type and play)
For exercise 2, we were to find a picture of a subject, could be from
nature or man-made and with that, create letterforms with the extracted
elements from the image.
Fig 7.1 photo picked (gecko pattern)
Fig 7.2 letterform tracing 1/9/2023
Fig 7.3 letterforms extracted 1/9/2023
Fig 7.4 refining letters according to height 1/9/2023
After identifying my letterforms, I decided to look for a
reference font to guide me in. the process of refining it. It was
hard to look for one that it similar to the look I was aiming to
go for as my letterforms were fairly irregular on it's sides. I
came across the font "Chicle" and felt it was similar to
what I was looking for.
Fig 7.5 Chicle font
Fig 7.6 First-stage of refinement 5/9/2023
Fig 7.7 process of refinement with reference font 13/9/2023
After the feedback session, I was suggested that perhaps I could
try adding the circular details on my letterforms, however I
didn't quite like the look of it.
Fig 7.8 attempt of adding circular details 13/9/2023
Poster process:
With the letterforms we have created, we were to create a movie poster.
Fig 8.1 first attempt 14/9/2023
According to feedback, I was told that the main focus was on the gecko, not on the font.
After feedback, I tried to look for more pictures on pinterest, hoping to find a more suitable background image. I also tried other colours for example red, and also different shades of it.
Fig 8.2 poster design process 19/9/2023
Fig 8.3 poster design process #2 20/9/2023
I figured that the background was too light and it didn't look that readable so I lowered down the brightness. Mr Vinod also suggested to add shadows to my font to make it pop out more and look more united with the background.
Submission:
Fig 9.2 type and play (PDF)
FEEDBACK
Week 2 :
General feedback:
For transitional make sure the flow is smooth For dilatational, make sure the line of the circle and text are not touching as it affects the readability If text is big already, don't need to add underline
Specific feedback:
For axial leading too tight, font size too big
For radial black circle is too distracting
For grid font size too big
For bilateral have to redo
For modular use columns
Week 3 :
General feedback:
Take note of the consistency consider if it really reflect the nature of the object
Specific feedback:
try to reintroduce some of the bumps from the scale, some of the scales are hexagonal, creates a way better look
Week 4 :
General feedback:
be prepared to explain the story of your logo design
readability is crucial
visual association has to be controlled
form must follow function
Specific feedback:
spacing of the letters could be wider for better readability
REFLECTION
Experience:
Moving from typography to advanced typography was indeed a rollercoaster ride. Typography was already extremely challenging to me however, I know that advanced typography will be a lot more for me. Even though it will be more stressful, but this also means that I will be learning more of the typography world. From having no interest at all, now I find myself observing typography of items in my everyday life. I am looking forward to learn how to improve my typographic skills.
Observation:
I observed how important content being arranged is as it affects the readability and focus points. It can create hierarchy in a subtle manner. As for exercise 2, a lot of observation was needed. From having to analyze the elements of the object and putting it in my letterforms, to refining it but still having to keep the elements, it was challenging as the possibility of losing the element that makes your font special is high during the refining stage.
Findings:
I found that I was a big fan of Univers and Futura fonts as it looked really neat. It's simple, but could also grab reader's attention. I also found out about adding shadows to your letterforms thanks to Mr Vinod. It really helped blending the letterform with the background.
FUTHER READING
FUTHER READING
Russian Constructivism and Graphic Design
In this article, I studied how the artists' use the typographic systems to arrange their content. It was interesting to see how it was neatly organised, but still fun to read.
This is my personal favourite:
Fig 10.1 Movie poster for the experimental, avant-garde film Man with A Movie Camera, Vladimir and Georgii Stenberg, 1929.
As seen in Fig, dilatational typographic system was used here. I liked how the arranged the parts of a human, buildings and text in such a harmonious manner.
Finding Type: A Novel Typographic Exercise
In this article, it was explained to us on the thorough process of what a
designer has to go through in order to produce a fascinating font. The six
crucial steps are:
1. Finding an image
- not something with too many elements, as it would be hard to focus on one
2. Deconstructing an image
- outlining the identified shapes from the image
3. Identifying letterforms
- although letter might look a little off from it's original shape, it is
still acceptable as we will soon move on to refining it
4. Extracting letterforms
- letterforms being extracted from the image and placed on the baseline to
study its characteristics
5. Identifying a reference typeface
- guide to overall aesthetic
- determines which strokes are thin or thick in a letterform
6. Refining letterforms
- remain at least some characteristic from the image in the letterforms
example of refining stage
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