Typography - Task 2 :Typographic Exploration & Communication

30.10.2023 - 17.11.2023 ( Week 6 - Week 7  )
Angel Tan Xin Kei / 0356117 / Bachelor of Design in Creative Media
Typography / GCD60104
TASK 2 

Table of Contents 

• Lectures
• Instructions
• Task 2: Typographic Exploration & Communication
• Feedback
• Reflection
• Further Reading

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LECTURES

Week 6 Principles of Graphic Design

Typo_5_Understanding

• Comparison of letterform
• easy to see the different stroke weights of the Baskerville stroke form (below)
• each bracket connecting the serif to the stem has a unique arc

  

  Fig 1.1.1 Letterform in Grid

  
  

• Both Univers and Baskervilles the width of the left slope is thinner than the right stroke



Fig 1.1.2 Differences in Stroke




• the lowercase ‘a’ of Helvetica and Univers which two seemingly similar sans-serif typeface demonstrated the differences in how the stems of the letterforms begin and finish



Fig 1.1.3 Different of typefaces in stems

• Maintaining the x-height
•  curved strokes, such as ‘s’, must rise above the median to be the same size as the vertical and horizontal strokes they adjoin.

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  Fig 1.1.4 Height of S in median line

• Form / Counterform
• when the balance between form and counter is achieved to be seen as a palpable sense of the letterform’s unique characteristics the most obvious examples are "s" and "g"



Fig 1.1.5 Letter G and S in detail

• Contrast in various variations: small+organic / large+machined

Fig 1.1.1. Contrast in Text

Week 7 Working with Type

Typo_6_Understanding

• Unlike earlier times, typography is present not only on paper but now on a wide range of displays. Because the way a page is rendered alters its appearance, this has an impact on how we perceive typography

Print Format

• Due to their exceptional readability at small font sizes, print-Caslon, Garamond, and Baskerville are the most widely used types for printing.

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  Figure 1.3.1 Typography in Print Type

  
  

  
  

  
  

    

Figure 1.3.2 Typography in Different Medium

Screen Type

• Typefaces intended for use on the web are often modified to enhance readability, this can include a taller x-height, wider letterforms, more open counters, heavier thin strokes and serifs, reduced stroke contrast, as well as modified curves and angles for some designs. Another essential adjustment – especially for typefaces intended for smaller sizes – is more open spacing.
• Font Size for Screen :
•  16-pixel text on a screen is about the same size as text printed in a book or magazine; this accounts for reading distance.
• Web Safe Fonts :
•  Open Sans, Lato, Arial, Helvetica, Times New Roman, Times, Courier New, Courier, Verdana, Georgia, Palatino, Garamond
• Static vs Motion
• Static is minimal characteristics when comes to expressing words. Temporal media offer typographers opportunities to “dramatize” type, for letterforms to become “fluid” and “kinetic”. 

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INSTRUCTIONS

Task 2 Text Formatting & Expression ( 20% ) - Individual Assignment

Exercise : 

1. Type Expression
2. Text Formatting

Marking Criteria : 

• The typographic expression has been explored in great variety and creatively. The expression conceptually and typographically communicates the meaning being conveyed. The textual information is extremely well formatted (font size, line length, leading, alignment, cross alignment, reading rhythm, information hierarchy, widows and orphans). The layout and composition are suitable, impactful, memorable, and engaging.

Learning Goals : 

• To demonstrate the use of Grids, layouts, and page flow
• To apply the necessary skills and sensibilities for effective typographic communication and achieve good reading rhythm with memorability.

Timeframe : 

• Week 6 – Week 7 (Deadline on Week 8)

Find out more info below...

<iframe src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ag6NhSDF7acm8IrbpptXZl1gdWf31tSa/preview" width="640" height="480" allow="autoplay"></iframe>

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Task 2 / Text Formatting and Expression

1. Research 

Looking at different visual references of editorial spreads would help me develop my thoughts, so I did that first before beginning my task. I searched Pinterest for images of "layout expressions" to seek some idea inspiration and gain some visual research.

Fig 1.2.1  Examples of  Page Layout for Visual Reference Week 6 ( 1/11/2023)

2. Sketches

After conducting visual research, I utilized Adobe Illustrator to draft several layouts in order to conceptualize my idea. I opted to start with Illustrator to experiment with various ways to present the layout because I find that I work most effectively through a process of trial and error.

Fig 1.2.2  Few Quick Layout Week 6 ( 1/11/2023)

Once I was satisfied with the results of my initial design explorations, I proceeded to work on the text formatting. My first focus was on the body text, where I experimented with different typefaces, kerning, tracking, and achieving precise alignment. I performed these adjustments across multiple layouts to provide myself with a range of options and make an informed choice regarding the most suitable approach which is justified as usual.

Fig 1.2.3  Kerning and Tracking the Justified Text, Week 6 ( 2/11/2023)

Fig 1.2.4  Kerning and Tracking the Title, Week 6 ( 2/11/2023)

3. Headings Expression Explorations

#1                                                                                    #2

#3                                                                                    #4

Once I tried out several types of styles for the head with some shadow effects and illustrations as the unite and world symbolize round thus I have input circular element in it.

4. Layout 

Fig 1.2.5  Trial of Different Layout, Week 6 ( 2/11/2023)

Fig 1.2.6  Trial of Different Layout (Blocks), Week 6 ( 2/11/2023)

5. Final Work

After listening to Ms. Low's advice, I improvised into a better version and she also liked it. 

Fig 1.2.7 My Final Outcome in JPG, Week 7 ( 8/11/2023)

Fig 1.2.8 My Final Outcome in JPG with baseline, Week 7 ( 8/11/2023)

Fig 1.2.9 My Final Outcome in PDF, Week 7 ( 8/11/2023)

Fig 1.2.7 My Final Outcome in PDF with Baseline, Week 7 ( 8/11/2023)

Margins: 10 mm ( Top; Left: Botton )

Gutter: 5 mm

Head

Font: Bodoni 72 Bold

Type Size: 10 pt

Leading: 12 pt

Paragraph spacing:  0pt

Sub-Head 

Font: ITC New Baskerville Std Italic

Type Size: 24 pt

Leading: 28.8 pt

Paragraph spacing:  0pt

Body

Font: Gill Sans Regular 

Type Size: 10 pt

Leading: 12 pt

Paragraph spacing:  5pt

Characters per line: 48 words

Alignment: left justified

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FEEDBACK

Week 6

General Feedback: Ms. Low said that it is vital to refrain from using Bodoni 72 font for body text as it is not really comfortable for the reader's eye.

Specific Feedback: I have come out with four types of layout and Ms Low would recommend the second one but it is actually optional to put variation font styles for one title. We can use the same font so it looks nice and clear.

Week 7

General Feedback: 

Ms. Low announced that it is significant to keep our posts updated. It is vital to keep the expression simple and minimalist. Try not to add too many pictorials or over-exaggerate.

Specific Feedback: The shadow effect is nice and creative, but maybe the globe picture can be eliminate and made it nice and simple

 

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REFLECTION

Observation

Upon reviewing my peers' work, I have come to the realization that a single text can be interpreted and presented in distinctive manners. I've also noticed that an individual's personality often shines through in their work. Furthermore, I've observed that we tend to unintentionally emulate designs we've encountered before. For instance, when I was initially brainstorming ideas and saw that the sample editorial spread used the subtitle text, I noticed a significant influence on my early concept ideas. This prompted my decision to choose a different text, aiming to bring a more unique perspective to my design.

Experience

I found the experience of creating the editorial spread to be quite enjoyable. In contrast to our previous assignment, which focused on text formatting layout, this time we had three text options to choose from and a more generous space to experiment with.

As I conducted my research, I noticed my enthusiasm growing as I came across various intriguing layouts. I was so engrossed in the process that I even contemplated designing some layouts of my own. However, the real challenge lay in crafting something distinct and unique because we were all working with the same three different texts.

Findings

Throughout the design process, I encountered several challenges. My font design, in particular, did not exhibit the same level of creativity and uniqueness as some of my peers' work, despite the considerable time and effort I invested. It became evident that we must exercise great care and attention when transitioning our designs into digital formats.

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FURTHER READING

Thinking with Type by Ellen Lupton

In fifteenth-century Italy, humanist writers and scholars rejected gothic scripts in favor of the lettera antica, a classical mode of handwriting with wider, more open forms. The preference for lettera antica was part of the Renaissance (rebirth) of classical art and literature, including the parts where they talk about how typography is used. They say stuff, and you're left wondering how any of it works or why it's significant. The author will tell you that some people use a certain grid system and show you a picture of said grid system. But they won't say why those people do it, or what the benefits and disadvantages are of that system compared to others. It's just like "Hey, this grid system exists, see look." This means there needs to be more practical information in the book.