ADVANCED TYPOGRAPHY- EXERCISE
14/4/20
Yeoh Wen Jun ( 0334234 )
Advanced Typography Exercises
LECTURES
Week 1 (14/4/2020) Briefing and Introduction to Advanced Typography
Due to MCO, we will need to conduct our class online. We start our first lecture on Facebook by using live streaming, hold by Mr.Vinod, and Mr.Shamsul. Firstly, Mr.Vinod brief us about what are we going to do in this 14 weeks through MIB. Then, we were given a lecture on the topic of "Typographical System". We learned about 8 types of interesting systems (Axial, Radial, Dilatational, Random, Grid, Transitional, Modular, and Bilateral).
Here is the article which make me more understand about the systems:
https://type365.com/blog/2017/02/21/7-typographic-layout-systems/
For Axial System, the element should either left or right of a line.
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| Fg.1.1 Axial System |
To create a radial design, focus point(s) are needed and place all the content so that it radiates out from that point.
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| Fg.1.2 Radial System |
To create a dilatational design, create circle(s) and type along the path.
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| Fg.1.3 Dilatational System |
For grid system, all the text and graphics fit neatly into columns and rows.
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| Fg.1.4 Grid System |
The transitional system looks like the cross-section earth–with layers of sediment and stone.
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| Fg.1.5 Transitional System |
For the bilateral system, all the text(s) should be arranged symmetrically on a single axis.
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| Fg.1.6 Bilateral System |
To create a modular design, we need to put all the text in the boxes with same size. It should be able to switch to another boxes.
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| Fg.1.7 Modular System |
Week 2 (21/4/2020) Type and Play
For this week's lecture, Mr.Vinod brief us on our second exercise which called "Type and Play". This exercise is separated into two-part, we will start the second part next week. We were required to identify and dissect letterforms in an image. Then, he showed us some examples and seniors' work.
Week 3 (28/4/2020) Type and Play 2
This week, Mr.Vinod started the class by giving us a brief on Type and Play exercise part 2. In this exercise, we will need to play the words or quote with an image. The objective is to enhance the interplay between the letter, word or sentence, and the selected image. After that, we were given a lecture by group 3 with the topic of Typographic Perception and Organization. The content is separated into three parts which are form & content gestalt psychology & layout and creating visual hierarchy. Below is the slide created by group 3 members:
Week 4 (5/5/2020) Context and Creativity
For this week's lecture, the topic was context and creativity. Mr.Vinod provided a video on YouTube as our lecture. ( https://youtu.be/q5Zk3hbrSS0 ) To start the class, Mr.Vinod went through our previous exercise and give us feedback group by group on Zoom.
During the lecture, Mr.Vinod talked about why is handwriting important in the study of typography. We also went through the evolution of the Latin Alphabet. A diagram was shown on the slide which allows us to see the evolution clearly. I would say that this week's lecture is like a History of Typography lecture as most of the content is related to history (especially Rome, Egypt, Greek, and so on). The good thing is, there are many images that were shown during the lecture which makes it interesting and not that boring.
At the end of the lecture Mr.Vinod gave a quote:
Looking behind gives you context. Looking forward gives you opportunities. — Vinod J. Nair
INSTRUCTION
EXERCISES
Week 1
For our first exercise, we were asked to create 16 design by exploring 8 different types of Typographical Systems which we learned this morning. (Axial, Radial, Dilatational, Random, Grid, Transitional, Modular, and Bilateral). We were given 3 different titles, but only chose 1 for all 16 designs. The tittle that I chose is "All Ripped Up: Punk Influences On Design". Before I started my work on Adobe InDesign, I visited some seniors' e-portfolio and some websites to search for some references.
REFERENCES:
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| Fg.1.0 Axial System References |
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| Fg.1.2 Radial System Reference |
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| Fg.1.3 Dilatational System Reference |
Fg.1.3 shows my reference of dilatational system, it is not a good example but I think I can play with it.
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| Fg1.4 Bilateral System |
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| Fg.1.5 Modular System |
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| Fg.1.6. Transitional System |
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| Fg.1.7 Grid System |
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| Fg.1.8 Random System |
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| Fg.1.9 Axial System |
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| Fg.1.10 Dilatational System |
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| Fg.1.12 Radial System |
Week 2
We were given feedback on our exercise 1 followed by the group after the lecturer. After I got my feedback, I started to redesign some of my work or slightly change a bit by following the feedback given by Mr.Vinod. According to the lecturers, the biggest problem of my work is applying too much of non-objective elements. And also, I'm too focused on playing with non-objective elements, which is not what the lecturer wants. So I decided to redesign some of it. Hence, I removed some non-objective elements from the selected work.
Edited and Redesigned work:
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| Fg.1.13 Modular System edited |
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| Fg.1.14 Transitional System edited and redesign |
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| Fg.1.14 Grid System edited |
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| Fg.1.15 Axial System edited and redesign |
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| Fg.1.16 Dilatational System edited |
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| Fg.1.17 Bilateral System redesign |
My Final work for Exercise 1
After finish editing and redesign my work for exercise 1, I started to search for some photos for exercise 2, Type, and Play. We need to get a photo and try to find some alphabets from it. At first, I took a photo of mango tree leaves beside my house. I spend almost 1 hour getting some alphabet from it but I only get a few which is not enough. So, I decided to get a new photo to conduct this exercise. I was looking for a photo of dust on google but I found a pencil dust picture which is more interesting.
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| Fg.2.1 Photo of pencil dust from Google |
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| Fg.2.2 Photo of pencil dust from Google (Black and White) |
After that, I started to get some alphabets in the photo shown on Fg.2.2. I got a total of 8 alphabets ( u, e, w, g, v, x, y, o, b), also I found two types of w. Both of it look interesting but in the end, I only choose 6 alphabets to conduct this exercise. (w, e, v, x, b, g)
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| Fg.2.3 Alphabets from the photo (u, e, w, g, v, x, y, o, b) |
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| Fg.2.4 First attempt |
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| Fg.2.5 First and Second attempt |
Week 3
We were asked to show our work for exercise 2 in this week's tutorial. Again we were given feedback one by one on Zoom. It will benefits for us to collect feedback on Zoom as we can just record the screen while the lecturer is giving feedback. Mr.Vinod says that I need to standardize my font as some of them having
"sharp bump" details but some do not have. So I started my third attempt.
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| Fg.2.6 First, Second and Third attempt |
After that, I start to work on exercise 3 which is Type and Play. To start this exercise, I will need some photos and quotes. I decided to start looking for photo first then only think about the quote. I get info from my friends about where they get the photo. So, they say that they found their photo from Unsplash. Hence I found a photo that makes me think of "work hard, play harder". Life is full of stress, sometimes we just have to chill.
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| Fg. 3.1 Photo from Unsplash |
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| Fg.3.2 My first attempt |
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| Fg.3.3 Photo from Unsplash |
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| Fg.3.4 My second attempt |
Week 4
Before the lecturers check our work for Type and Play exercise, they look back to our previous work and try to give us more feedback. The structure of v is too straight and the hook of g should change to the detail like the other alphabets. For type and play exercise, both of my work made the mistake that most of the students made. The words do not interact well with the element in the photo.
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| Fg.2.7.1 alphabet g before edit |
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| Fg.2.7.2 alphabet g after edit |
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| Fg.2.7.3 alphabet v before edit |
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| Fg.2.7.4 alphabet v after edit |
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Fg.2.8 My work vs Futura Std
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| Fg.2.9 Exercise 2A FINAL |
Exercise 2A FINAL PDF version:
After exercise 2A, I continue with exercise 2B which is Type and Play. I feel like the previous photo that I use is a bit hard for me to continue, so I decided to get a new photo. Hence, I went through Unsplash again and the photo below (Fg.3.5) is the photo that I choose. This photo reminds me of Chinese culture and I decided to type "Never forget our culture".
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| Fg.3.5 Photo from Unsplash |
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| Fg.3.6 Work progression on Adobe Photoshop |
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| Fg.3.7 third attempt |
FEEDBACK
Week 1
General Feedback:
We should update our blog weekly. Pay attention while the lectures giving feedback on classmates' work. We were encouraged to compare our own work to the mentioned students' work so that we can learn from them.
Specific Feedback:
Most of my work applied too much of non-objective elements (too many boxes). My two designs for Bilateral are basically the same but only play with non-objective elements, which is not good. I was encouraged to work more on that. For Grid system first design, and do work on lettering space. My first design for Axial incorrect should do some corrections on it. My Dilatational first design is ok but for the second design, the text below spacing is a bit awkward.
Week 2
Specific Feedback:
My font has a nice characteristic, (v,e,x) looking good. But I need to standardize the letter as some of the letters have "sharp bump" details but some do not have.
Week 3
Specific Feedback:
The structure of "v" is roo straight, should be curvier like "w". The hook of the "g" should change to the details that other alphabets having to have consistency. The 2 work that I made for Type and Play exercise part 2 is not working as the words do not interact with the object in the image.
Week 4
Specific Feedback:
My work for Type and Play part 2, the image is stronger than the words.
REFLECTION
Week 1
Observation:
I feel fresh and interesting to have an online class at home. The lecturer did record the lecture or even tutorial for us so that we can watch them back when we need to. Also, by doing that students are not able to say that they don't know what to do for the next class even they didn't attend the last class.
Finding:
I was really excited for online class as this will be my first time to have a class at home. At the same time, I was quite worried about my internet connection as I'm living in a village. Luckily everything goes well this week.
Week 2
Observation:
I was really nervous when we were asked to open mic to received feedback from the lecturer one by one. Some of the students' laptop doesn't have the mic or camera function which is a problem for them. I was really shy to speak for the first time on Zoom.
Finding:
I found that Zoom is really helpful for us to conduct class as the lecturers are able to control our screen even though we are really far. The feedback given was quite clear and I think there is not much difference to conduct the class online or physical.
Week 3
Observation:
It is good to listen to the feedback given by the lecturer to all of us. We are able to catch the mistake that we made easier. Some feedback given to the others might apply to my work too.
Finding:
I feel like I started to lose control of my time management as I started to feel bored and lazy. I did my work last minute and it doesn't look well. I need to control myself to have better time management.
Week 4
Observation:
I started to feel stress when I saw my classmates work, they have done a really good job. I feel like my work is nothing compare to theirs.
Finding:
I think I need to put more effort into my work even though it is just exercise. Also, I need to learn about it before I started to do something.
FURTHER READING
Choosing a typeface
for reading by Rob Waller April 2011
This article discussed the choice of typeface for text that is
designed for continuous reading. The author stated that typeface for continuous reading must be comfortable to read for longer periods of time. After the author stated the purpose of this article, he compared Serif and San Serif typeface. Unfortunately, the research does not come out with an answer to which typeface is easier to read. The author suggests the use of sans serif type to people with dyslexia. The author also stated some key issues for typeface choice such as confusing letters, how typeface relates to type size, and also what readers prefer.
In the article, the author says that "Unfortunately, typefaces are not sold like
Lego, with all the parts you need to make the thing. In typography, you have to assemble the parts for yourself and work out what will
fit with what." This impressed me and guide me a lot. For me, this article is informative enough and easy to read and understand. I did learn something here.
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