Typography - Task 1 / Exercises

23/9/2024-21/10/2024 Week 1-Week 4

Christopher Jayson Tan / 0378500

Typography / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University

Task 1 : Exercises 1


TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.LECTURES

2.INSTRUCTION

3.FEEDBACK

4.REFLECTIONS

5.FURTHER READING


LECTURES

Week 1 Introduction & Briefing

Lecture 0: Introduction

Typography plays a major role in design, shaping how we communicate across different fields. To truly master it, I need to focus on the little details that could help me improve my skills and make me more keen. Some key points i would like to mention :

  1. Paying attention to detail is crucial for effective and good typography
  2. Understanding the history of typography could give me the context to make informed design choices
  3. Consistent practice and iteration are essential to refining my work


Lecture 1: Development


Typography has evolved and changed over the last 500 years, but it’s largely shaped and affected by Western perspectives, which calls for more inclusive research and representation. Key milestones like Charlemagne’s script standardization and Gutenberg’s printing press have shaped modern typography, yet diverse voices remain underrepresented. Changes were made to the tools used for typography; it tremendously influences how the words are formed. Much of typography’s history is mostly Western-centric, which means broader research is needed.

Week 2 

Lecture 3: Text P1

There is a terminology in typography called kerning. Kerning means the spacing between specific letters, it could affect the visual significantly and because of that it needs a high level of attention.  





Figure 1.1 Example of kerning, Week 2 (02/10/2024)


Successful typography can be achieved if the word is creative and readable. A legible word could be reached if the spacing between characters are effective and has proper alignment. Typeface also matters because it needs to be very specific to convey different messages, this means that designers should determine the context of the text so that may evoke emotions of the reader in a more effective way. Type size, leading and line strength are also essential in making a readable text, a very general rule is to keep the line strength between 55-65 to ensure readability.

Week 3 :

Lecture 4: Text P2

A Pilcrow can be used to indicate a new paragraph.

Differences between leading space and line spacing is that leading space refers to the space that we see between sentences while line spacing is the amount of vertical space between lines of text in a paragraph.

Cross alignment is essential to make a good typography, this is why leading and paragraph spacing has to have an equal value.



Figure 1.2 Example of cross alignment, Week 3 (09/10/2024)


Widow means a short line of type left alone at the end of a column of a text while Orphan refers to a short line of type left alone at the of a new column.


Figure 1.3 Example of widow and orphan, Week 3 (09/10/2024)

There are ways to highlight a text for example by using Italics, increase the boldness or weight and by printing colors of the text (black, cyan, and magenta).

Primes are used to indicate ft and inches.

A head is a clear break between a section, B head indicates a new supporting argument or example for the topic at hand, C head usually uncommon, highlights specific facets of material within B head




Figure 1.4 Example of A head, B head, C head, Week 3 (09/10/2024)



Week 4 :

Lecture 5: Typo_2_Basics





Figure 1.5 Terminologies, Week 4 (16/10/2024)




Figure 1.6 Terminologies, Week 4 (16/10/2024)


We have to make sure to work with full fonts containing :
  • Uppercase
  • Lowercase
  • Small capitals
  • Uppercase & lowercase numerals
  • Italic
  • Punctuation, miscellaneous characters
  • Ornaments

Figure 1.7 Describing typefaces, Week 4 (16/10/2024)






Figure 1.8 10 essential typefaces, Week 4 (16/10/2024)


Each of the typefaces have its own weight, x-height, width and so on, each of them have their own uses and this is why it is important to choose the right typefaces.


INSTRUCTION

<iframe src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/18SM-OQfAcEHXfEJVHcGalcfA2elgP39E/preview" width="640" height="480" allow="autoplay"></iframe>


Task 1: Type Expression


Research (reference)


Chop reference :


Figure 2.1 Chop reference, Week 2 (2/10/2024)


Pull reference :


Figure 2.2 Pull reference, Week 2 (2/10/2024)

Rush reference :

Figure 2.3 Rush reference, Week 2 (02/10/2024)


Wind reference :

Figure 2.4 Wind reference, Week 2 (02/10/2024)


First task, we were instructed by Mr. Vinod on making words with certain types of expression. We were encouraged to explore on our own, which made it a very exhilarating learning experience. These words are what I was able to come up with.



Figure 2.5 Design sketches, Week 1 (24/09/2024)
 
WIND 


left sketch : The idea was to make it as if it was pushed away in one direction and there are some "windy" effects to go along with it.

right sketch : The sketch is designed as if the wind came from random directions and scattered the letters randomly.

CHOP 

left sketch : The cut effect to the letters is to resemble a sharp knife chop hence why it's clean.

right sketch : The letters look as if they are being chopped roughly by an axe, giving it a rougher cut effect.

RUSH 

left sketch : The idea of the sketch was to make it look like it is moving really fast in one direction which is why the letters are slightly slanted to the right and why effects were given.

right sketch : "Wind" Effects were given to the letters to simulate an object moving.

PULL 

left sketch : The letters were given a stretched look as if its being pulled upwards.

right sketch : Letter were arranged as if its being pulled and stretch to the right.


Digitalization 


PULL



Figure 2.6 Pull digitalization before and after the change, Week 2 (02/10/2024)


After receiving feedback, the pull was too basic and because of that i decided to make a small change. The word "pull" would go out of frame to make it more interesting.


CHOP



Figure 2.7 Chop digitalization before and after the change, Week 2 (02/10/2024)


part of the letter that are falling looks to flat, it doesn't look like its being chopped and because of that, i decided to make the chopped pieces rougher


Wind



Figure 2.8 Wind digitalization before and after the change, Week 2 (03/10/2024)

I decided to completely overhaul the wind design because it was too flat. The second design resembles signs during a heavy storm/hurricane, some of them fly away and some them stay planted on the ground.


RUSH



Figure 2.9 Rush digitalization before and after the change, Week 2 (03/10/2024)

The first design has too many effects and because of that i decided to tone it down. I changed the font and also made it as if the word is rushing to the right by making the letter "H" out of frame



Figure 2.10 Final results of the digitalization, Week 2 (03/10/2024)

Final Type Expression PDF






ANIMATION


Figure 2.11 Animation frames in adobe illustrator, Week 3 (10/10/2024)


The process began in illustrator, i made 22 frames to make sure so that the animation isn't too choppy.



Figure 2.12 Animation frames in adobe photoshop, Week 3 (10/10/2024)


After making the frames, i moved it to photoshop to arrange it and then exported it as a GIF.




Figure 2.13 Animation result, Week 3 (10/10/2024)

Task 1 : Exercise 2 - Text Formatting


For the second task, we were instructed by Mr. Vinod to create a final layout that involves kerning, tracking, paragraph spacing and so on.

Lecture 1/4: Kerning and tracking

For this exercise we were tasked to experiment with the kerning and tracking for different fonts.


Figure 2.14 Letters without kerning & tracking, Week 4 (15/10/2024)





Figure 2.15 Letters with kerning & tracking, Week 4 (15/10/2024)

Lecture 2/4: Text Formatting

For this exercise i manage learn a couple of things that are related to using Indesign. I also learn that the characters font size should be 8-12 points and that leading should be 2-3 points larger than the font size.



Figure 2.16 Text formatting, Week 4 (16/10/2024)


Lecture 3/4: Type Formatting

The next exercise, i learn how to fix ragging and make the paragraph smoother, how to insert images and fit it and text alignment.



Figure 2.17 Type formatting, Week 4 (16/10/2024)

Lecture 4/4: Final Layout

For the final exercise, we made the page layout, i made 3 versions and i am most satisfied with the third version. For the first layout i put the headline and the picture on the left.




Figure 2.18 First layout trial (16/10/2024)


For the second layout attempt, i made a small difference where i put the headline on the right and the picture slightly moved downward.


Figure 2.19 Second layout trial (16/10/2024)

For the third and final attempt i moved the picture to the right as well like the headline, and the shorter passage of text in the right is moved the bottom instead of the top.


Figure 2.20 Final Layout, Week 4 (16/10/2024)


Final Layout PDF




HEAD LINE
Typeface: Bembo Std

Font/s: Bembo Std Bold Italic
Type Size/s: 17 pt
Leading: 20 pt
Paragraph spacing: 0

 

BODY
Typeface: Univers LT Std

Font/s: Univers LT Std 57 Condensed
Type Size/s: 10 pt
Leading: 12 pt
Paragraph spacing: 12 pt
Characters per-line: 61
Alignment: left justified

Margins: 12.7 mm top, 12.7 mm left , 12.7 mm right , 50 mm bottom
Columns: 4
Gutter: 5 mm

 Back up


FEEDBACK HERE


Week 2

Specific feedback : The words "wind" and "rush" has unnecessary effects, it needs to be minimal so that it enhances readability. The words "pull" and "chop" can work, it just depends on the execution.
General feedback : The design of the words needs to be legible to the eye so that it doesn't confuse the viewers, minimal and effective designs are the keys to success in typography


Week 3

Specific feedback : The pull is very basic and uninteresting, the rush has too many effects, the chop particle distortion effect looks like confetti, and the wind is too linear.
General feedback : Never screen grab and always use jpeg. Do not add effects or try not to add it.


Week 4

Specific feedback : The animation should be continued, it shouldn't stop halfway. The letters should go out of frame for a finished look
General feedback : The frames should have a stop so that it doesn't look to confusing because of the constant repeat, this means that a freeze frame should be added


Week 5
Specific feedback : There is nothing wrong with the page layout, its already decent, the spacing is already sufficient. 
General feedback : The words and letter spacing shouldn't be cramped and have that much space, it needs to be enough, the headline shouldn't be that close to the text, and we should use images that doesn't contain that much words so that it doesn't clash with the overall content of the page.


REFLECTIONS

Experience : 
This is my first time ever learning about typography, at first i thought it was gonna be really simple but after spending some time learning about it, i realized that there is so much more to it. On the surface typography may look easy but when i dive into it further, apparently typography has its own complexity that needs to be understood for further improvements.

Observations :
I realized that we need to look very carefully when it comes to typography, we really need to pay attention to detail for example when choosing fonts, we need to know the main context before using it.

Findings :
During my time in typography, i have received multiple feedbacks and it has helped me tremendously in improving my skills, i manage to learn about the usages of multiple fonts, importance of kerning, and how to make a better layout so that readers have an easier time reading.



FURTHER READING

Week 1 :


Figure 5.1 The Complete Typographer by Will Hill (25/09/2024)


From what I have read, the 2 terms legibility and readability are present in typography. Legibility is a term in typography; it's how one distinguishes one letter from another in a particular or specific typeface. Readability, on the other hand, refers to how easy it is for the reader to process the words so that they may understand the information quicker without any hassle. This means that readability and legibility are interdependent but distinct; both are equally essential in typography.

Week 2 :

Many documents require a number of text setting style for the differentiation of distinct types of information or in some cases, just for visual variety, such as between different features in a magazine. This might introduce variations in type color, column width, and the size, weight, or typeface.


Week 3 :
 
The design of the page involves both composition of the columns and margins that form the page grid and decisions that governs the size, weight, and leading of the text, subheads, and titling. Page design usually involves both practical considerations, such as the amount of text on the page, its legibility and ease of use, and aesthetic or expressive factors like impact, differentiation, and visual appeal.


Week 4 :

Display typography refers to forms of typographic work that involve the use of fewer words at a larger scale, and to distinguish this work from editorial typography and the setting of continuous text. Some of the examples are corporate identity, book jackets, packaging, fascias, and motion graphics.


Week 5 :

Environmental typography means designs and the use of typography in physical spaces, the usage of it is to enhance the overall experience of the space or to convey messages. Environmental typography is commonly seen in urban areas and public spaces where they blend in with the space. The design must be legible and effective so that people can understand them easily.




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