Advanced Typography - Task 1: Exercises

31/8/2022 - 7/10/2022 (Week 1 - Week 6)

Afif Shukri / 0354429

Advanced Typography / Bachelor of (Design) in Creative Media / GCD60104

Task 1: Exercises

LECTURES

Lecture 1 - Typography Systems

Week 1 class was canceled due to a public holiday. Therefore, Mr. Vinod assigned us to watch a video of a lecture to help us better understand what to do for exercise 1. In this lecture, we were informed of the 8 major typographic systems.

Axial
Radial
Dilatational
Random
Grid
Modular
Transitional
Bilateral

Lecture 2 - Typography Composition

Principles of Design Composition:

Emphasis, Isolation Repetition, Symmetry & Asymmetry, Alignment, and Perspective.

Fig 1.1 - Examples of using Emphasis

Rule of Thirds:

A photographic guide to composition. It's a frame that can be divided into 3 columns and 3 rows hence the name Rule of "Thirds". The lines intersecting are used for guidance on where to place the points of interest.

Fig 1.2 - Examples of using Rule of Thirds

Typographic System:

Typographic System is the most used system out of all the 8 systems.

Fig 1.3 - Examples of using Typographic System

Environmental Grid:

Environmental Grid is based on the exploration of an existing structure or numerous structures combined. An Extraction of crucial lines both curved and straight is formed when using an Environmental Grid.

A designer organizes his information around this super-structure. This includes non-objective elements to create a unique and exciting mixture of texture and visual stimuli.

Fig 1.4 - Examples of using Environmental Grid

Form and Movement:

This system is based on the exploration of existing Grid Systems. It was developed to get students to explore the multitude of options the grid offers, this includes dispelling the seriousness surrounding the application of the grid system and seeing the pages turning in a book as a slowed-down animation in the form that constitutes the placement of image, text, and color.

Fig 1.5 - Examples of using Form and Movement

Lecture 3 - Context and Creativity

Handwriting:

Why do we study handwriting?

We study handwriting because it was the first mechanically produced letterform designed to directly imitate handwriting.

Handwriting would become the basis or standard for form, spacing, and conventions mechanical type would try and mimic.

The shape and line of hand-drawn letterforms are influenced by the tools and materials used to make them.

Sharpened bones, Charcoal Sticks, Plant Stems, Brushes, Feathers, and Steel Pans all contributed to the unique characteristics of the letterforms.

Fig 1.6 - Examples of Handwriting

Cuneiform:

The earliest system of actual writing.

Used in a number of languages between the 34BC B.C.E. through the 1st century C.E.
Distinctive wedge form, a result of pressing the blunt end of a reed stylus into wet clay tablets.

Fig 1.7 - An example of Cuneiform

Hieroglyphics:

Hieroglyphics is an Egyptian writing system that is fused with the art of relief carving.

A mixture of rebus and phonetic characters (the first link to a future alphabetic system)
As ideograms to represent the things they actually depict.
Phonograms to represent sounds that "spell out" individual words.

Fig 1.8 - An example of Hieroglyphics

Early Greek:

Built on the Egyptian logo-consonantal system, the Phoenicians developed a phonetic alphabet consisting of 22 letters.

Fig 1.9 - An example of Early Greek

Roman Uncials:

Roman letters were becoming more rounded, and the curved form allowed for fewer strokes and could be written faster.

Fig 2.0 - An example of Roman Uncials

English Half Uncials:

In England, the uncial evolved into a more slanted and condensed form.

While the English and Irish uncials evolved. The writing on the European continent devolved considerably and needed a reformer.

Fig 2.1 - English Half Uncials

Carolingian Minuscule:

During Charlemagne's patronage book production increased and language was standardized. Pronunciation and spelling as well as writing conventions.

Capital at the starting sentence
Spaces between words
Punctuations

Fig 2.2 - Example of Carolingian Minuscule

Black Letter:

Characterised by tight spacing and condensed lettering.
Evenly spaced verticals dominated the letterform.
Condensing line spacing and letter spacing reduce the number of costly materials in book production.

Fig 2.3 - Example of Black Letter

The Italian Renaissance:

The renaissance embraced the ancient Greek and Roman culture and spurred a creative wave through:

Italian Art
Architecture
Literature
Letter Form Design

Fig 2.4 - Example of The Italian Renaissance

Movable Type:

Printing had already been practiced in China, Korea, and Japan.

China had attempted to use movable type for printing but was unsuccessful due in part to a number of characters and the material used is clay.

Fig 2.5 - Example of Movable Type

The oldest writing system present in Southeast Asia was Indian Scripts. There were few but the most important would be Pallava. A south Indian script originally used for writing Sanskrit and Tamil.

Lecture 4 - Designing Type

Why design another typeface?

Type design carries a social responsibility so one must continue to improve its legibility.
Type design is a form of artistic expression.

General Process of Type Design

Research:

Understanding the type history, type anatomy, and type conventions.
Knowing terminologies, side-bearing, metrics, hinting, and many more.
To determine the type's purpose or what it would be used for
Examine different fonts for inspiration/ideas/reference/context/usage pattern and many more.

Fig 2.6 - Researching

Sketching:

Some designers sketch their typeface using traditional toolsets like (brushes/pens, ink, and paper) and then scan them for the purpose of digitalization.

Although, some designers use digital toolsets such as Wacom directly into font design software. As a result, It is quicker, persistent, and consistent. However, it can sometimes impede the natural movement of hand strokes.

Fig 2.7 - Sketching

Digitalization:

Digitalization is usually done with professional software such as FontLab & Glyphs App.

Fig 2.8 - Fontlab & Glyph

There are designers that use Adobe Illustrator to design or craft the letterforms and then introduce them into specialized font apps. This however is frowned upon by the purist.

Testing

Testing is a crucial component in the design thinking process. The result of the testing is part of the process of refining and correcting aspects of the typeface.

Depending on the typeface category, the readability and legibility of the typeface become an important consideration.

Fig 2.9 - An example of testing

Deploy

Deploying a completed typeface there are always teething problems that did not come to the fore during the prototyping and testing phase. Thus the task of revision doesn't end upon deployment.

Fig 3.0 - Example of a prototype number plate

Typeface Construction

Roman Capital: The grid consists of a square and inside it a circle that just touches the lines of the square in four places. Within the square, there is also a rectangle.

As a result, using grids can facilitate the construction of letterforms and is a possible method to build/create/design your letterform.

Fig 3.1 - Construction grid for the Roman Capital using 8 x 8 cells

Construction and Consideration

Fig 3.2 - Construction and Consideration

Depending on their form and construction, the 26 characters of the alphabet can be arranged into groups, whereby a distinction is made between a group of capitals and a group of lowercase letters.

There are many different forms and constructions that must be taken into account when designing a new type. An important visual correction is the extrusion of curved forms past the baseline and cap line.

The consideration when creating a new typeface cannot be covered in its entirety in a single lecture or in a couple of slides.

Fig 3.3 - Examples

Most Typefaces come about due to a need or demand. The need motivation can be intrinsic and extrinsic.

Intrinsic can be summed up by the designer that has an inexplicable need driven by an interest to design a typeface and seeks out a form that comes close to fulfilling a desire.

Extrinsic can be summed up by the designer that has been commissioned or the student-designer has a task to complete that involves designing a typeface.

Conclusion

For a design to be successful the designer needs to be invested in the idea and understand the requirements/limitations/use/stakeholders. Designing a typeface is a labor of love.

Lecture 5 - Perception and Organisation

Perception is the way in which something is regarded, understood or interpreted.

Contrast to make a design pop out and it's meaning.

- Size

- Weight

- Contrast of Form

- Contrast of Structure

- Contrast of Texture

- Contrast of Colour

- Contrast of Direction

Form refers to the overall look and feel of the elements that make up for the typographic composition.

- A good form in Typography tends to be visually intriguing to the eye.

Gestalt is the way a thing has been interpreted. It's also an attempt to understand the laws behind the ability to acquire and maintain meaningful perceptions.

INSTRUCTIONS

TASK

Task 1 - Exercise 1: Typographic Systems & Type & Play

For our first task, we are to explore the 8 typographic systems which are Axial, Radial, Dilatational, Random, Grid, Transitional, Modular and Bilateral. The contents given in the MIB that needed to be included are:

- Size: 200 x 200 mm

- Colours: Black + additional colour

- Minor graphic elements (dots, lines, etc)

Since I came quite late into the module I missed the Task 1 Exercise 1 classes. However, I did catch up with the youtube videos provided by Mr Vinod and managed to finish my Task 1 Exercise 1 task.

1) Axial System

After watching the lecture provided by Mr Vinod on Youtube. I figured how to the layout for the 8 different systems. Due to not getting feedback from Mr Vinod. I had only one draft and this was my final outcome.

Fig 3.4 - Axial System Draft

Fig 3.5 - Final Draft of Axial System

Fonts:

Adobe Caslon (Regular & Bold)

Futura STD (Medium, Bold & Extra bold)

2) Radial System

Fig 3.6 - Radial System Draft

Fig 3.7 - Final Draft of Radial System

Fonts:

Adobe Caslon (Regular & Bold)

Futura STD (Medium, Bold & Extra bold)

3) Dilatational System

Fig 3.8 - Dilatational System Draft

Fig 3.9 - Final Draft of Dilatational System

Fonts:

Adobe Caslon (Regular & Bold)

Futura STD (Medium, Bold & Extra bold)

4) Random System

Fig 4.0 - Random System Draft

Fig 4.1 - Final Draft of Random System

Fonts:

Bodoni STD (Poster)

Gill Sans MT (Medium, Bold & Extra bold)

Adobe Caslon Pro (Regular)

Futura STD (Book, Medium & Extra Bold)

5) Grid System

Fig 4.2 - Grid System Draft

Fig 4.3 - Final Draft of Grid System

Fonts:

Adobe Caslon (Regular & Bold)

Futura STD (Medium, Bold & Extra bold)

6) Transitional System

Fig 4.4 - Transitional System Draft

Fig 4.5 - Final Draft of Transitional System

Fonts:

Adobe Caslon (Regular & Bold)

Futura STD (Medium, Bold & Extra bold)

7) Modular System

Fig 4.6 - Modular System Draft

Fig 4.7 - Final Draft of Modular System

Fonts:

Adobe Caslon (Regular & Bold)

Futura STD (Medium, Bold & Extra bold)

8) Bilateral System

Fig 4.8 - Bilateral System Draft

Fig 4.9 - Final Draft of Bilateral System

Fonts:

Adobe Caslon (Regular & Bold)

Futura STD (Medium, Bold & Extra bold)

Final Submission of Task 1: Exercise 1 - Typographic Systems

JPG:

Fig 5.0 - Final Submission of Axial System

Fig 5.1 - Final Submission of Radial System

Fig 5.2 - Final Submission of Random System

Fig 5.3 - Final Submission of Bilateral System

Fig 5.4 - Final Submission of Grid System

Fig 5.5 - Final Submission of Modular System

Fig 5.6 - Final Submission of Transitional System

Fig 5.7 - Final Submission of Dilatational System

PDF with Grids:

Fig 5.8 - Final Submission of Task 1 Exercise 1 in PDF

PDF without Grids:

Fig 5.9 - Final Submission of Task 1 Exercise 1 in PDF

Task 2 - Exercise 2: Type and Play

For our second task, we were told to select images between Man-Made Objects, Structures, or Nature. From the selected image, we were to dissect and identify potential letterforms within the image. The letter forms then will be explored and digitalized.

Selected Image

Fig 6.0 - Selected image

I chose this image of a close-up view of a leaf because it looked very complex and I thought that it would be a challenge for me to try and dissect it. From the first glance, I can see many different potential letterforms that could be dissected within the leaf's veins. Some of the letters that I could potentially see are W, X, and Y.

Fig 6.1 - Extracting letterforms from image

At first, looking at the leaf was very overwhelming, especially with all the veins. Nonetheless, I have managed to dissect some letterforms using the pen and curvature tool to trace out some letterforms.

Here are the extracted letterforms in their original form:

Fig 6.2 - Extracted letterforms

Mr. Vinod also mentioned that we had to have a reference typeface from the 11 typefaces he provided from semester 1. I chose Futura STD Medium to be my reference.

Reference:

Fig 6.3 - Typeface reference (Futura STD Medium)

Digitalization Progress:

Fig 6.4 - Original letterforms before developed

In these extracted letterforms, my first step would be to straighten all the letters and try to make them all aligned before actually trying to reconstruct them.

Fig 6.5 - Straightening the letterforms

After I was done straightening the letters. I found out that the thickness of these letters was not consistent, so I figured for them to be consistent I would have to match all their thicknesses. In this case, I have decided to have all the letters have a similar thickness to the letter B as It kinda correlates with the reference typeface.

After thickened:

Fig 6.6 - Letterforms after thickened

After I was done adjusting the thickness. It was time to actually reconstruct the letterforms.

Fig 6.7 - Letterforms before and after

I tried mimicking the style of the branches and what I did was I used the direct selection tool and the pen tool to straighten most of the letterforms.

Fig 6.8 - Before & After of letter A

Fig 6.9 - Before & After of Letter W

These are the before and after of the letter A and W. I have made it straighter and created outlines to make it thicker. I also tried to keep the concept of the jagged lines to give a hint of the branches from the leaves. For the letter A, I adjusted the lines slightly and made it a bit longer.

Final Letterform

Fig 7.0 - Final edited letterform

After finishing the edited letterform, Mr. Vinod told us to place an image that would best resemble the letterforms. As a result, I chose the picture of a leaf so that it relates back to the main topic.

Fig 7.1 - Final letterform with image

Final Submission of Task 1: Exercise 2

JPEG:

Fig 7.2 - Final submission of task 1 exercise 2 in JPEG

PDF:

Fig 7.3 - Final submission of task 1 exercise 2 in PDF

Task 3 - HONOR Wallpaper

For this task 3, we were assigned a competition-based assignment that is HONOR. We had to combine an image with a word that is provided. There are 2 choices word that is Renewal of Life or Cultural Prosperity. I chose renewal and this is the image that I came up with. The final design needs to be in a theme of a phone wallpaper, phone case, PC wallpaper, watchband, or watch face. I chose a picture of leaves because I thought that it would resemble the Renewal of life in nature.

Chosen Image:

Fig 7.4 - Chosen image

Process:

Fig 7.5 - Gradient Process

For the letters, I used a gradient to make a camouflaged effect hence the letters and the image have similar effects. In order to get the similarity of the colors what I did was I used the Eyedropper tool to get the exact colors from the leaves.

Moreover, I used the pen tool to draw an outline of the leaves. With the combination of the shape builder tool I have used the outline of the leaves to embed it with the letter, as a result, I get this kind of jagged lines:

Fig 7.6 - Letter N embedded with the leaves

Fig 7.7 - Letter E embedded with the leaves

Final Digitalized:

Fig 7.8 - Final Digitalized Work

I have designed this artwork to camouflage the image. What I did was put a gradient on the letters with matching colors so that it becomes camouflage.

Final Submission

JPEG:

Fig 7.9 - Final Submission of Task 1 Exercise 3 in JPG

PDF:

Fig 8.0 - Final Submission of Task 1 Exercise 3 in PDF

FEEDBACK

Week 3 (Task 1 - Exercise 2: Type & Play Part 1)

Inconsistency in the thickness level. After making some amendments, Mr. Vinod told me that my letterform was good to go. Just keep in mind that the letterforms need to have a sense of the leaf. In this case, I got the jagged lines to represent the veins of the leaves.

Week 4 (Task 1 - Exercise 3: Type & Play Part 2 HONOR)

The feedback I received from Mr. Vinod was very good. He really liked my work even though it was very minimal and simple but the message was there. He also like the fact that I made the letters camouflaged with the image.

Week 5 (Task 1 - Exercise 3)

The feedback I received from Mr. Vinod was to have all my monogram reworked because it didn't have a meaning behind it.

REFLECTION

Experience

My experience with the first 2 exercises of Advanced Typography was alright. Although it was overwhelming at first due to me missing the first 2 weeks of class as I had problems with my OMR and my MSP. However, I have managed to catch up with my work as I binged watched some lectures and it helped me progress my work a lot quicker.

Observation

I have observed that missing even 1 class can set you back miles. As a result, I have tried to be more aware of my time management and able to delegate my task accordingly, especially with more challenging tasks that need to be done in Advanced Typography.

Finding

In general, I have found out that time management is very important. Moreover, tasks wise I have managed to extract letterforms from an image. It was very confusing at first as some images can be very crowded thus trying to extract letterforms can be a challenge.

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Muhammad Afif Safwan Hj Akzam Shukri (0354429)