Advanced Typography / Task 1: Exercises 1 & 2

2024.04.24-2024.05.15 Week 1 - Week 4

Teh Ming En/0364908

Advanced Typography-Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media--Taylors University

Task 1: Exercises 1 & 2

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Lectures

Week 1: Typographic Systems

Typographic Systems are akin to what architects term shape grammars. The system has a set of unique rules and provides a sense of purpose that focuses and directs the decision-making.

Shape grammar is a set of rules that apply in a step-by-step way to generate a set, or language, of designs.

Fig 1.1 Axial System

Axial System: All elements are organised to the left or right of a single axis.

Fig 1.2 Radial System

Radial System: All elements are expanded from a point of focus.

Fig 1.3 Dilatational System

Dilatational System: All elements expand from a central point in a circular fashion.

Fig 1.4 Random System

Random System: Elements appear to have no specific pattern or relationship.

Fig 1.5 Grid System

Grid System: A system of vertical and horizontal divisions.

Fig 1.6 Transitional System

Transitional System: An informal system of layered banding.

Fig 1.7 Modular System

Modular System: A series of non-objective elements that are constructed in as a standardised unit.

Fig 1.8 Bilateral System

Bilateral System: All text is arranged symmetrically on a single axis.

Week 2: Typographic Composition

Principles of Design Composition:

• Emphasis
• Isolation
• Repetition
• Symmetry and Asymmetry
• Alignment
• Perspective

Fig 1.9 The Rule Of Thirds

The Rule of Thirds: A photographic guide to composition, it basically suggests a frame (space) can be divided into 3 columns and 3 rows. The intersecting lines are used as a guide to place the points of interest, within the given space.

Other Models/ Systems- Environmental Grid:

This system is based on the exploration of an existing structure or numerous structures combined. An extraction of crucial lines bothcurved and straight are formed.

Fig 1.10 Environmental Grid

Form and Movement: This system is based on the exploration of an existing Grid System. It is recommend students to explore this system to dispel the seriousness surrounding the application of the grid system and see the turning of pages in a book as a slowdown animation in the form that constitutes the placement of image, text, and color.

Fig 1.11 Form and Movement

Week 3: Context and Creativity

Study handwriting is important because the first mechanically produced letterforms were designed to directly imitate handwriting. Handwriting would become the basis or standard for form, spacing and conventions of mechanical type would try and mimic. 

Fig 1.12 Cuneiform c. 3000 B.C.E.

Cuneiform is the earliest system of actual writing. It was used in a number of languages between the 34C.B.C.E. through the 1st century C.E.

Fig 1.13 Hieroglyphics 2613-2610 B.C.E.

Hieroglyphics is the Egyptian writing system. It fused with the art of relief carving. The system is a mixture of both rebus and phonetic characters - the first link to a future alphabetic system. 

Hieroglyphics images has a potential to be used in ideograms, determinatives, and phonograms.

Fig 1.14 Early Greek, 5th C. B.C.E.

The Early Greek letters were drwan freehand,  not constructed with compasses and rules, and they had no serifs. In time the strokes of these letters grew thicker, the aperture lessened, and serifs appeared.

Fig 1.15 Roman Uncials

By the 4th century Roman letters were becoming more rounded, the curved form allowed for less strokes and could be written faster.

Fig 1.16 English Half Uncials, 8th C.

In England, the uncial evolved into a more slanted and condensed form. While English and Irish uncials evolved, the European continent devolved considerably and needed a reformer.It came in the Carolingian Handwriting Reform.

Fig 1.17 Carolingian Minuscule

Fig 1.18 Carolingian Minuscule

The Carolingian minuscule is used for all legal and literary works to unify communication between various regions of the European empire. This style has became the pattern for the Humanistic writing of the fifteenth century. It was the basis of our lower-case Roman type.

Fig 1.19 Black Letter, 12-15 C. CE

Gothic was the culminating artistic expression of the middle ages, occurring roughly from 1200-1500. It originated with the Italians who used it to refer to rude or barbaric cultures north of the Italian Alps. 

Blackletter is characterized by tight spacing and condensed lettering. Evenly spaced verticals dominated the letterform. Condensing line spacing and letter spacing reduced the amount of costly materials in book production

Fig 1.20 The Italian Renaissance - Antica 

The renaissance analysis of form that was being applied to art and architecture was directed toward letterform - resulting in a more perfect or rationalised letter.

Fig 1.21 Movable Type, 11 C. - 14 C.

Printing on wood blocks has already been practiced in China, Korea and Japan. The earliest known printed book (AD 868) is Diamond Sutra, with the world’s first printed illustration. The Koreans established a foundry to cast movable type in bronze, allowed the dismantling and resetting of text.

Fig 1.22 Middle Eastern Alphabets

Evolution of Middle Eastern Alphabets: It is important to note that while the Phoenician letter marks a turning point in written language - used of sound represented in letters - the script itself has been possibly influenced by the Egyptian Hieroglyphics and Hieratic Scripts.

Fig 1.23 Evolution of the Chinese Script

 The evolution of the Chinese script from the Oracle bone to Seal Script to Clerical Script, Traditional and Simplified scripts.

Fig 1.24 Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) Script (3500-2000 BCE)

The oldest writing found in the ‘Indian’ subcontinent the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) script (3500-2000 BCE), is as yet undeciphered and seems to have been somewhat logo-syllabic in nature. 

Fig 1.25 The Brahmi Script (450-350 BCE)

It is the earliest writing system developed in India after the Indus script. It is one of the most influential writing systems; all modern Indian scripts and several hundred scripts found in Southeast and East Asia are derived from Brahmi.

Fig 1.26 Other Writing Systems From Southeast Asia

Fig 1.27 Baloo

Baloo is an affable display typeface by Ek Type. A multi-script typeface, it is available in nine Indian scripts along with a Latin counterpart. The family is Unicode compliant and libre licensed.

Week 4: Designing Type

General Process of Type Design:

1.Research

When creating a type, it is improtant to understand type history, type anatomy and type conventions. Besides that, it is also important to determine the type's purpose, what it would be used for, and what different applications it will be used in. We should existing fonts that are presently used for inspiration/context/usage patterns/ideas/etc.

2.Sketching

 We can sketch our typeface using traditional or digital tool sets. Both methods have their positives and negatives.

3.Digitization

The professional software used in digitization are  Fontlab and Glyph Apps. Some of the designers also used Adobe Illustrator. Attention should not only be given to the whole form at this stage but also to the counter form. The readability of the typeface is heavily dependent on it.

4.Testing

Testing is a part of the refining and correcting aspects of the typeface. Prototyping is part of the testing process and leads to important feedback.

5.Deploy

Even after deploying a completed typeface there are always teething problems that did not come out. The rigour of testing is important in so that the teething issue remain minor.

Fig 1.28 Construction Grid for Roman Capitals using 8 x 8 cells

Using grids (with circular forms) can facilitate the construction of letterforms and is a possible method to build/create/design your letterform.

Fig 1.29 Classification According To Form And Construction

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

Many different forms and constructions must be taken into account when designing a new type. An important visual correction is the extrusion of curved (and protruding) forms past the baseline and cap line (overshoot). This also applies to vertical alignment between curved and straight forms.

A visual correction is also needed for the distance between letters. The letters must be altered to a uniform 'visual' white space. This is called 'fitting' the type.

Fig 1.30  Humanistic Typeface And Didone Typeface

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Instructions

Task 1: Exercise 1- Typographic Systems

In this exercise, we are required to create eight typographic systems using Adobe InDesign. We need to choose one of three topics for creation. The topic that I chose was 'The ABCs of Bauhaus Design Theory'.

Requirements:

-size: 200mm x 200mm

-Colours: Black and one additional colour

-Graphical elements

The topics: 

1. All Ripped Up: Punk Influences on Design
2. The ABCs of Bauhaus Design Theory
3. Russian Constructivism and Graphic Design

   
   

InDesign Digitization Progress

Fig 2.1 Axial, Dilatational, Bilateral and Modular Systems Progress (Grids and Guides), Week 1-Week2 (27/04/-04/05/2024)

These are my digitization process of part of the systems. I chose the red and black as the primary colours and the red colour also fits the topic that I chose. I try to find the suitable typeface for every layouts. It wasn't easy so I tried almost all fonts among the 10 fonts.

All of the body text are between 12pt to 16pt and the title size vary.

Week 1 Attempts:

Axial System

Fig 3.1 Axial - Attempt, Week 1 (27/04/2024)

Fig 3.2 Axial - Attempt, Week 1 (27/04/2024)

Radial System

Fig 3.3 Radial - Attempt, Week 1 (27/04/2024)

Fig 3.4 Radial - Attempt, Week 1 (27/04/2024)

For Fig 3.3, I chose to use an ellipse with red color to make it as the focal point and the message can be easily conveyed. 

Random System

Fig 3.5 Random - Attempt, Week 1 (27/04/2024)

Fig 3.6 Random - Attempt, Week 1 (27/04/2024)

Modular System

Fig 3.7 Modular - Attempt, Week 1 (27/04/2024)

Fig 3.8 Modular - Attempt, Week 1 (27/04/2024)

Grid System

Fig 3.9 Grid - Attempt, Week 1 (28/04/2024)

Fig 3.10 Grid - Attempt, Week 1 (28/04/2024)

Dilatational System

Fig 3.11 Dilatational - Attempt, Week 1 (28/04/2024)

Fig 3.12 Dilatational - Attempt, Week 1 (28/04/2024)

Transitional System

Fig 3.13 Transitional - Attempt, Week 1 (28/04/2024)

I was unsure about the transitional system, so I only created one during the first week.

Bilateral System

Fig 3.14 Bilateral - Attempt, Week 1 (28/04/2024)

Fig 3.15 Bilateral - Attempt, Week 1 (30/04/2024)

I had created two types of the bilateral system, but the first work (Fig 3.14) was wrong.

Week 2 Attempts:

Dilatational System

Fig 4.3 Dilatational - Attempt, Week 2 (01/05/2024)

According to Mr. Vinod's suggestion, I added more text to the bottom left and top right to the system to make it better.

Modular System

Fig 4.4 Modular - Attempt, Week 2 (02/05/2024)

Fig 4.5 Modular - Attempt, Week 2 (02/05/2024)

I reworked the modular system during week 2 because I was not satisfied with the first attempt.

Transitional System

Fig 4.6 Transitional - Attempt, Week 2 (02/05/2024)

Grid System

Fig 4.7 Grid - Attempt, Week 2 (02/05/2024)

In this system, I just modified the leading of the content.

Bilateral System

Fig 4.8 Bilateral - Attempt, Week 2 (02/05/2024)

Same with modular system, I was not satisfied with the first attempt of bilateral system so I reworked it. In this work, I used red for part of text to highlight them.

Final Exercise 1: Typographic Systems

Fig 5.1 Final Axial System JPEG, Week 2 (03/05/2024)

Fig 5.2 Final Radial System JPEG, Week 2 (03/05/2024)

Fig 5.3 Final Dilatational System JPEG, Week 2 (03/05/2024)

Fig 5.4 Final Modular System JPEG, Week 2 (03/05/2024)

Fig 5.5 Final Random System JPEG, Week 2 (03/05/2024)

Fig 5.6 Final Transitional System JPEG, Week 2 (03/05/2024)

Fig 5.7 Final Bilateral System JPEG, Week 2 (03/05/2024)

Fig 5.8 Final Grid System JPEG, Week 2 (03/05/2024)

Fig 5.9 Final Exercise 1: Typographic Systems - PDF, Week 2 (03/05/2024)

Fig 5.10 Final Exercise 1: Typographic Systems with Grids and Guides- PDF, Week 2 (03/05/2024)

Task 2: Exercise 2- Type and Play- Finding Type

For exercise 2, we are required to select an image of a man-made object (chair, glass, etc.) or structures (buildings), or something from nature (Human, landscape, leaf, plant, bush, clouds, hill, river, etc). We should ensure that the image does not contain many different elements. We need to analyse, dissect and identify potential letterforms (4-5 letters) within the dissected image. 

1. Selected Image

Fig 6.1 Image Selected- Cloud In The Sky, Week 3 (05/05/2024)

2. Extract the letters

Fig 6.2 Traced The Letters,Week 3 (07/05/2024)

Fig 6.3 Traced The Letters,Week 3 (07/05/2024)

I used Pen tool to trace the shapes of cloud in Adobe Illustrator. It was fun when sketch them out.

Fig 6.4 Sketching The Letters, Week 3 (07/05/2024)

I tried to sketch them on the paper, and keep part of the details of them.

Fig 6.5 Extracted Letters, Week 3 (07/05/2024)

Fig 6.6 Extracted Letters, Week 3 (07/05/2024)

3. Reference

Fig 6.7 Typeface Reference

I chose to use Futura Std, Extra Bold as my reference because my letters were similar to it. 

4. Digitization

Fig 6.8 Digitization Process, Week 3 (07/05/2024)

The third row is my first attempt. In the first attempt, I kept most of the font as it was and adjusted some of the lines to be curved based on the reference futura font. According to Mr. Vinod's suggestion, I try to make the letters more fluffy and cloudy.

Fig 6.9 Digitization Process, Week 3 (08/05/2024)

Fig 6.10 Digitization Process, Week 3 (08/05/2024)

Fig 6.11 Digitization Process, Week 3 (08/05/2024)

In this part, I created a lot of ellipses to make the edges look like cloud shapes. I also added some small sharp corners to enhance the character of the letters, to make them look cloudy.

Final Exercise 2: Type & Play-Finding Type

Fig 7.1 Image and Extracted Letterforms, Week 3 (08/05/2024)

Fig 7.2 Reference Typeface, Week 3 (08/05/2024)

Fig 7.3 Final Letterforms, Week 3 (08/05/2024)

Fig 7.4 Extracted Letterforms and Final Letterforms, Week 3 (08/05/2024)

Fig 7.5 Final Letter 'C', Week 3 (08/05/2024)

Fig 7.6 Final Letter 'E', Week 3 (08/05/2024)

Fig 7.7 Final Letter 'F', Week 3 (08/05/2024)

Fig 7.8 Final Letter 'U', Week 3 (08/05/2024)

Task 1: Exercise 2- Type and Play- Type and Image

In this part, we have to choose an image and combine it with the final extracted letterforms. The size must be 1024 x 1024 px and the resolution in 300 dpi. The theme is movie poster.

Fig 8.1 The Image I chose, Week 4 (13/05/2024)

I found some pictures on pinterest about the sky and clouds, and finally I chose this one as the background because it has an empty middle part, which is suitable for placing words there.

Fig 8.2 Placing Final Letterforms, Week 4 (13/05/2024)

Fig 8.3 Typing Sentences, Week 4 (13/05/2024)

First, I placed the letterforms on the image and changed the letters colour. I copied the letters and placed them behind the white letters and made them blue to make the letters stand out. After that, I typed some sentences into the poster.

Fig 8.4 First Attempt, Week 4 (13/05/2024)

Fig 8.5 Modifying Poster, Week 4 (13/05/2024)

I changed the color of the first letters layer to gray and added a Radial Blur effect. Next, I duplicated the two layers of letters and made them as black and white gradient. After that, I placed them behind the gray letters to create the feeling of clouds.

Fig 8.6 Adding Details, Week 4 (13/05/2024)

Moving on, I added the film production company to the poster. I also aligned the sentences in the poster in the center.

Final Exercise 2: Type & Play- Type and Image

Fig 9.1 Final Type And Image, Week 4 (13/05/2024)

Fig 9.2 Final PDF, Week 4 (13/05/2024)

Feedback

Week 2

General Feedback:  Focus on the system hierarchy, black and red colours does not work on it. 

Specific Feedback: Need to redo Modular, Transitional (not leadable) & Bilateral Systems.

Modify: Dilatational system needs more space and Grid system (leading too tight)

Week 3

General Feedback: We have to understand the structure of the objects before start the work.

Specific Feedback:  The letters don't have the feel of cloud, I need to look at how the edges of the other cloud break, it needs to be introduced in the flat shape over the letters

Week 4

General Feedback: Our letters and poster need to be integrated.

Specific Feedback: The poster was appropriate but needed to modify some details.

1. The text should be placed in the middle of the poster.

2. The letters can be more cloudy because they lack integration with the poster and need to blend better.

Reflection

Experience

The first exercise was quite challenging for me because we had just been introduced to the eight systems and  we have to create them. This wasn't easy, as we must fully understand the eight systems before being able to create them. This needs to effort a lot of time to come out with a satisfy work. The second exercise was relatively easier. It made me pay more attention to the details in everyday life, such as observing the stems and leaves of plants, looking up at the clouds in the sky, and observing the food I was eating. I must say it was quite interesting. Identifying letters from image also tested my patience, as it need to observe them carefully and pay attention to find the shapes of the letters in the image.

Observations

I have observed that the use of white space is important in exercise 1. The work will look bad if the white space is not used well. The leading and alignments also need to be adjusted carefully because they affect the layout of the work. Besides that, the choice of typefaces affects the viewer's vision. Different layouts require different typefaces, and selecting the appropriate fonts is essential for creating good designs.

Findings

For exercie 1, I found that even with different layouts, they all can convey messages to people; it's just that the methods are different. Some may appear chaotic but are actually quite clear, which is refreshing to me. In exercise 2, I discovered that fonts can evoke certain feelings. Different typefaces can evoke different sensations; they can appear strong, soft, or light. It's quite fascinating.

Further Reading

Typography Systems Book

This book was written by a designer, Kimberly Elam. I have read this book since I was in typography class and I'm going to continue reading.

Introduction Of Random System

The random system consists of various elements that are arranged without a defined aim, pattern, direction, rule, method, or purpose. It is deceptively simple because the viewer imposes organization on compositions even when it is unintentional. Random placement often yields a very dynamic and spontaneous result that, although difficult to read, is visually satisfying.

Random System, Thumbnail Variations

Texture variations also help to create random compositions. It is valuable in this system to make the composition abstract by regarding the line of text as texture only, and not as elements of communication. The lines of text become important because of the shape and negative space they create.

Random System, Non-Objectives Elements

The non-objective elements can enhance random compositions through diversity of shape. These elements need to appear as unconstrained as the text in their form and placement. A non-objective element can modify a word or line and improve communication in a chaotic environment.