Typography - Task 2: Typographic Exploration & Communication

October 27, 2024

Typography - Task 2: Typographic Exploration & Communication

28.10.2024 - 15.11.2024 / Week 6 - Week 8
Aw Wen Chia / 0368828
Typography / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media
Task 2: Exercise 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Lectures
2. Instructions
3. Exercise
4. Feedback
5. Reflection
6. Further Reading

1. LECTURES

Week 5:

Typography: Letters / Understanding letterforms

The uppercase letterform looks symmetrical, but it is not. The are 2 different weight strokes and arcs.

Fig 1.39, Capital "A" Letterform

There are also differences between 2 typefaces, despite them looking similar at first glance.

For example, the typefaces Helvetica and Univers.

Fig 1.40, Typefaces Helvetica and Univers

X-height: The size of lowercase letterforms, all letters should maintain the same height. However, in the case of a curve, the letterform should extend out of the x-height to make it look cohesive.

Fig 1.41, X-height

There are also many different variations and combinations of letterforms to use.

Fig 1.42, Variations & Combinations of Letterforms

The majority of the pictures and information were taken from Typo_5_Understanding.

Week 6:

Typography: Different Medium

In the past, typography was viewed as living when it reached paper. Today, typography exists not only on paper but on a multitude of screens.

Print Type vs Screen Type

Type for Print

Primarily, type was designed intended for reading from print before we read from screen. A designer's job is to ensure the text is smooth, flowing, and pleasant to read.

Caslon, Garamond and Baskerville are the most common typefaces used to print due to their characteristics which are elegant, intellectual and highly readable.

Fig 1.43, Print Type vs Screen Type

Type for Screen

Modified to enhance readability
A variety of digital environments
Includes taller x-height
Wider letterforms
More open counters
Heavier thin strokes & serifs
Reduced stroke contrast
Modified curves & angles (in some designs)

Hyperactive Link / Hyperlink

A word, phrase, or image that can be clicked to jump to a new document or section within the current document.

Font Size for Screen

16-pixel = Size for text in printed books or magazines

System Fonts for Screen / Web Safe Fonts

Open Sans, Lato, Arial, Helvetica, Times New Roman, Times, Courier New, Courier, Verdana, Georgia, Palatino, Garamond.

Font Size for Screen

Fig 1.44, Screen vs Print

Pixel Differential Between Devices

Screens for our PCs, tablets, phones and TVs are different sizes and text are different proportion too. Many variations are present even within a single device class.

Fig 1.45, Table of Screen Sizes

Static vs Motion

Static Typography

Minimal & Tradisional Characteristic
Bold & Italic
Used in billboards, posters, magazines & fliers
Used for informational, promotion, formal or aspirational design pieces.
Emotional connection with viewers

Motion Typography

Dramatize letterforms to become fluid & kinetic
Woolman & Bellantoni
Used in film title credits & advertisements
Usually accompanied by music
Made by using animation
Express content & brand values
Invoke certain moods

The majority of the pictures and information were taken from Typo_6_Screen&Print.

back to the top

2. INSTRUCTIONS

back to the top

3. EXERCISE

TASK 2 - Typographic Exploration & Communication

Use the materials learnt from the first 2 tasks and make a 2-page editorial spread (200mm x 200mm per page.

I first chose the text I wanted to edit. I choose "The Role of Bauhaus thought on modern culture" and started with research.

Fig 3.1, Bauhaus according to Google

Fig 3.2, Bauhaus according to Pinterest

I concluded that the meaning of Bauhaus is associated with architecture and bold shapes, especially squares. I then started with the initial sketches.

Sketches:

Fig 3.3, Sketches (16.11.2024)

I thought of 3 layouts, trying to make it simple yet convey the message of bold shapes. I then started digitizing 3 of them, to varying degrees of success.

Fig 3.4, Digitized Layout (16.11.2024)

I liked the bottom one (3rd sketch) the best as I could not fit the first one like how I envisioned and the second one looked wrong. However, my tutor said the words fell in the gutter and I was unsatisfied with the result.

So as the third as a base, I started back on the sketch.

Fig 3.5, Sketch (16.11.2024)

I sketched this with a little more attention to detail. I made the lines hanging from the top look like a minimalist drawing of a cityscape, and the text is staircases, as Bauhaus is used in architecture.

After I was satisfied with the sketch, I started digitizing it.

Fig 3.6, Process of Digitizing (16.11.2024)

I changed the lettertype for Bauhaus as it was easier to edit and looked somewhat nicer. However, after editing I felt that the top was too heavy and added the line to the bottom of the page as well.

Fig 3.7, Process of Digitizing (16.11.2024)

After that, I was finally satisfied with the end result.

FINAL EDITORIAL SPREAD:

Margins: 43.87 mm top, 24.9mm bottom, 10mm left + right

Gutter: 10 mm

HEAD

Font: Gill Sans Std Bold Condensed, Gill Sans Std Bold Condensed, Gill Sans Std Bold

BODY

Font: Gill Sans Std Regular

Type Size: 12 pt

Leading: 12 pt

Paragraph spacing: 12 pt

Characters per-line: 47

Alignment: left justified

Fig 3.8, Final Editorial Spread (16.11.2024)

Fig 3.9, Final Editorial Spread (PDF) (16.11.2024)

Fig 3.10, Final Editorial Spread with Grids (16.11.2024)

Fig 3.11, Final Editorial Spread with Grids (PDF) (16.11.2024)

back to the top

4. FEEDBACK

Week 6:

General Feedback: There were some problems with my work that were similar to task 1.

Specific Feedback: The title was on the gutter line causing inconsistency, there was also problems with the reliability of the text and the line spacing was off, but other than that it was mostly alright.

Week 7:

General Feedback: The situation of my work did not improve.

Specific Feedback: My words lacked emphasis, especially on the word "Bauhaus" and the structure was messy, the paragraph spacing and gutter were also wrong. I had a lot to fix.

back to the top

5. REFLECTIONS

Experience

This task was hard for me, as I had a lot to fix and work on. Also adding on the fact that my Indesign somewhat crashed, causing my work to not be right. I also bit off more than I could chew for some of the sketches, causing my work to be unfinished in areas where I could not find a way. I was also extremely unmotivated, however, I pulled through.

Observations

The task had us doing what we learnt from task 1, however, combining the 2 elements was a challenge. Probably due to the artboard size I was not used to. But looking at my other coursemates' and friends work gave me the ideas and motivation for my work.

Findings

Task 2 made me realize that combining text with illustration was not as easy as it seems, and there are countless rules to follow when trying to make a good body of text readable, while also making it attractive with the minor illustrations we were allowed.

back to the top

6. FURTHER READINGS