Advance Typography - Task 1 - Exercise 1 n 2 - Lectures

Advance Typography - Task 01 Exercise 1 n 2

22.4.2024 - 00.7.2024 (Week 1 - Week 14)

Aidi Rafiq | 0353422 | Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media

ADVANCE TYPOGRAPHY

LECTURER

Week 1 - Lecture 1

Typographic System

"Typographical organization is complex due to the element are dependent on communication in order to function.
  • Hierarchy 
  • Order of reading
  • Legibility
  • Contrast

Typographic systems are similar with the systems that has a set of rules that provides sense of purpose that focuses and direct the decision making" (Elam, 2007)


fig 1.0 example of Axial System 

All the elements are organized to the left
or right of a single axis


fig 1.1 example of Radial System

All the elements are extended 
from a point of focus


fig 1.2 example of Dilatational System

All the elements expand from a central
point in a circular fashion



fig 1.3 example of Random System

All the elements appear to have no
specific or relationship


fig 1.4 example of Grid System

a system of vertical and horizontal 
divisions


fig 1.5 example of Transitional System

an informal system of layered branding


fig 1.6 example of Modular System

a series of non-objective elements
that are constructed in as a standardized
units



fig 1.7 example of Bilateral System

all text is arranged symmetrically on
a single axis


Week 2 - Lecture 2

Typographic Composition

Regularly, composition is about dominant principles underpinning design composition. For example, emphasis, isolation, repetition, symmetry and asymmetry, alignment, perspective to name a few. Typographic composition are more relevant to imagery than complex units of information that consist different elements.




fig 1.8 rule of thirds

The rule of thirds is a photographic guide for placing the subject in compositions. A frame can be divided into 3 columns and 3 rows. The lines are used as a guide to place the points of interest.


Typographic System

There are 8 systems in the typographic system. From there are mostly used system which is the Grid System, it derived from the gridded compositional structure of Letter Press printing. 


fig 1.9 example of the Grid System

Legibility and readability were relegated to the back seat however the bests examples is to combine the two seamlessly. Order was replaced with apparent chaos but current chaos was exciting and 'new; for a generation that was being exposed to Punk anti-establishment though and music.

fig 1.10 example of the chaos posters (random system)


Environmental Grid

This system is based on the exploration of an existing structure or numerous structures combined. Designer organizes their information around the super-structure, which includes non-objective elements to create a unique and exciting mixture of texture and visual stimuli.

fig 1.11 example from lecturer Brenda McMannus


Form and Movement

This system is based on the exploration of an existing Grid System. The placement of a form on a page, over many pages creates movement. Whether the page is paper or screen is irrelevant. 


fig 1.12 example of static version of the form placed on spread

fig 1.13 example of the level of complexity increases as newer elements are introduced



Week 3 - Lecture 3

Context & Creativity

Handwriting

We all need to study handwriting is because its mechanically produced letterforms were designed to directly imitate handwriting. The shape and line of hand drawn letterforms are influenced by the tools and materials used to make them.

For example:
  • Sharpened bones
  • Charcoal sticks
  • Plant stems
  • Brushes
  • Feather
  • Steel pens

fig 1.14 Evolution of the Latin Alphabet

fig 1.15 Ancient Egypt Hieroglyphics Chart


The reason we are studying about Greek influence on Rome, but not Egyptian or Near Eastern influence on Greece is because in the 19th century, it became out of styles to credit Africans with anything of value and therefore Greece and Rome were elevated over much older. 

fig 1.16 Evolution of Middle Eastern alphabets and Chinese script.


In Malaysia, spear-headed by programmer and typographer Muthu Nedumaran. The programming language needed to encode the different types of vernacular writing systems was cracked by Muthu.

A local group of graphic design called "Huruf" interested in the localized lettering of Latin and vernacular letters painted. The movement in South East Asia lacks enough self-organization and coordination's. However, with greater awareness and guidance from more a bigger neighbors such as India, has a larger talent pool and resources, techniques and tactics employed are becoming more accessible.




Week 4 - Lecture 4

Designing Type

"Adrian Frutiger is a renowned twentieth century Swiss graphic designer. He is the responsible for the advancement of typography into digital typography. He contributed to typography include the typefaces; Univers and Frutiger."

fig 1.17 Adrian Frutiger contributed typefaces

his goals for this new typeface was to create a clean, distinctive and legible typeface that is easy to see from both close up and far away.


fig 1.18 Frutiger being used in Arabic form in signage



fig 1.19 Matthew Carter's font

"Matthew Carter is the son of Harry Carter, Royal Designer for industry, contemporary British type designer and ultimate craftsman. They are responsible for Crosfield's typographic program in the early 1960s. Mergenthaler Linotype's house designer 1965-1981."


The purpose of this font was tuned to be extremely legible even at the very small sizes on the screen due in part to the popularity of the internet and electronic devices.

fig 1.20 Example of font: Verdana being used


Edward Johnston is the creator of the hugely influential London "Underground" typeface, which would later come to be known as "Johnston Sans"

The purpose of this font is because London's Underground railway request a new typeface for its posters and signage from the calligrapher Edward Johnston. He handed over details and examples of letter shapes that would set the tone for printed text.


fig 1.21 Johnston Sans being used

fig 1.21.1 Johnston Sans being used


General Process of Type Design:

1. Research

When creating a typeface, we should understand the type history, anatomy and conventions.

 - Should examin the existing font that are presently being used for inspirations

2. Sketching

The traditional way is to hand sketch them to the paper then scan for the purpose of digitization.

 - This will improve on the controls when holding the pen

3. Digitization

Designers would mainly use a professional software like Font lab, Glyphs etc.

Mostly would use Adobe illustrator to craft the letterforms then paste it to the font app

4. Testing

Testing is a very important stage for design process that lead to an important feedback

- Readability
- Legibility 

5. Deploy

There would still be a problem that did not appear in the testing phase.

The rigour of testing is important so that there wont be any minor issue.


Typeface Construction:

The grid consist of a square, and inside it a circle that just touches the lines of the square in four places.

Within the square, there also a rectangle which is a three quarters the size of the square and is positioned in the center of the square.

fig 1.22 Typeface Construction

fig 1.23 Construction and considerations


fig 1.24 baseline, cap line

It is important visual correction is the extrusion of curved forms past the baseline and cap line.
This applies to vertical alignment between curved and straight forms.




Week 5 - Lecture 5

Perception n Organisation

Perception 

Perception is "the way in which something is regarded, understood, or interpreted".
In typography, perception deals with the visual navigation and interpretation of the reader via contrast, form and organisation of the content 

fig 1.25 Contrast in font

fig 1.26 Contrast and size

fig 1.27 Contrast and weight

fig 1.28 Contrast and Structure

fig 1.29 Contrast and Texture

fig 1.30 Contrast and Direction

fig 1.31 Contrast and Colour

Form

For refer to the overall look and feel the elements that make up the typographic composition. Its a form in typography tends to be visually intriguing to the eye; it leads the eye from point to point.


fig 1.32 Example of Form being used


Typography means to write in accordance with form. They can be seen as having two functions:
  1. to represent a concept
  2. to do so in a visual form
fig 1.33 Example of Form in typography

fig 1.33.1 Example of Form in typography

Organisation / Gestalt

Gestalt is a German word meaning the way a thing has been "placed", they are an attempt to understand the laws behind the agility to acquire and maintain meaning full perceptions. 

Instead of breaking down thoughts and behavior to their smallest elements, the gestalt psychologist believed that you must look at the whole of experience.

fig 1.34 Gestalt: Perceptual Organisation

fig 1.34.1 The Law of Similarity and Proximity

fig 1.34.2 The Law of Closure and Continuation

fig 1.34.3 The Law of Symmetry


INSTRUCTIONS
 

 TASK 1 - EXERCISE 1 - TYPOGRAPHIC SYSTEM


Week 1, we have to explore different types of typographic system for example: Axial, Radial, Dilatational, Random, Grid, Modular, Transitional and Bilateral. Understanding this topic for the designer to use a more fluid means to create typographic messages through the eight system of typographic organization. 



WEEK 1 - ATTEMPTING

fig 2.0 attempt of Axial System (22/04/24)

The axial system is simple as it sounds but need the creativity to make the simplicity into an impact layout is a difficult. I got used to create formal and neat poster but the second axial attempt was uncomfortable to produce.

Font used:
Left - Adobe Caslon Pro
Right - Univers LT Std


fig 2.1 attempt of Radial and Dilatational System (22/04/24)

The Radial system was simple because I just need to rotate the words to focus from a point.

Attempting the Dilatational system was really difficult for me, especially I've never use InDesign. I have so much difficult dealing with the circle text due to its only can write it outside the circle.

Font used:
Left - Futura Std
Middle - Futura Std
Right - Futura Std



fig 2.2 attempt of Random System (22/04/24)

Random system is very easy to make one because of you can place them an any sort of direction with no relationships. I like the idea of messy look because it brings the attention quickly of how chaotic it looks.

Font used:
Left - Univers LT Std
Middle - Bembo Std
Right - Gill Sans Std


fig 2.3 attempt of Grid System (22/04/24)

The Grid system is very similar with the Modular system. I feel like I could do better but the creativity from my head is limited me with the simplicity of the layout that the system give. The Grid system is also very nice because of how formal and neat the layout is but the composition of the words can still be universally.


Font used:
Left - Adobe Caslon Pro
Right - Univers LT Std





fig 2.4 attempt of Transitional System (22/04/24)


Transitional system reminds me of the painting "The Starry Night" by Van Gogh because of the movement that reminds me of the painting. Transitional system is very new to me because I've never heard of this system before and when I found out how to create it is surprisingly simple.


Font used:
Bembo Std






fig 2.5 attempt of Modular System (22/04/24)

This is very identical with Grid system which confuses me a lot, even though the example shows the variations. The thought process behind this attempt is that I want fill every space that in each grid and therefore I use the shape as to fill the negative space.


Font used:
Univers LT Std





fig 2.6 attempt of Bilateral System (22/04/24)

This is very similar to Axial system but I made this as simple as it can be and formal. I also create a hierarchy by placing which comes first and last according to people's eyes. Purposely making the main title bigger and bold compare to others which is to attract the audiences eyes

Font used:
Univers LT Std


 fig 2.7 Final Task 1 - Exercise 1 - Typographic System - Week 1 (25/04/24)




 fig 2.8 Final Task 1 - Exercise 1 - Typographic System - Guides - Week 1 (25/04/24)





 TASK 1 - EXERCISE 2 - TYPOGRAPHIC SYSTEM


fig 3.0 chosen subject - jellyfish, Week 3 (08/05/24)


fig 3.1 traced letters - M A L E, Week 3 (09/05/24)


fig 3.2 extracted letterform - M A L E, Week 3 (09/05/24)


fig 3.3 reference font - ITC New Baskerville Std


fig 3.4 simplified letterform - M A L E, Week 3 (11/05/24)


In fig 3.2 noticed how complex the body and irregular with the size and the positions. I use ITC New Baskerville Std as a reference because the E and A has the same feature as the reference font.

fig 3.5 FINAL (maybe)  letterform - M A L E, Week 3 (11/05/24)

I made the M less sharp with the top bit because in fig 3.4, it looks like a crown or a shoulder armor so there fore I made it round and soft to represent the head of the jellyfish. 


fig 3.6  (12/05/24)

Feedback:

Can be improve on the letterforms a bit
with the overlapping and movement

Integration with the poster and title
because of the white color font and white color background

+ additional
for the poster, have the title mix with water since its an underwater related.


fig 3.7 FINAL (16/05/24)

I start to integrated with my title and the jellyfish. Therefore you can see the overlapping with the body and some parts of the letterforms.



REFLECTION

Experience

This task brough me back sem 1, from learning the composition in InDesign. Especially extracting a letter from an image to produce a font and as a result, I am sort of happy with the poster. 


Observation

For this task I notice that I need to understand on when producing a font coming from a certain object, the small detail in the letterform is important because that's what makes the font has its character.


Findings

Learned different type of typographic system because I usually just simply put the shapes into a certain composition. 

When digitalize a font from dissecting it from an image, it is important to focus on the details of the typeface to relate the front and the theme.



FURTHER READING

Typographic System
- Kimberly Elam

This book is about exploring the eight major structural system of the grid. For example, random, radial, modular, and bilateral systems.

Knowing the essential visual organization systems, the designer can fluidly organize words or image within the variation of a structure.


This book benefits me a lot because instead of huge paragraph talking about the system, it shows an example with pictures so that we have a clear vision of the certain topics.




LINK TO OTHER TASK




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