ADVANCE TYPOGRAPHY TASK 1 - EXERCISES: TYPOGRAPHIC SYSTEMS & TYPE AND PLAY
21.04.2025 - 12.05.2025 / Week 1 - Week 4
Christopher Jayson Tan/ 0378500
Advanced Typography / Bachelors of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University
Task 1 - Exercises: Typographic Systems & Type and Play
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.LECTURES
3.TASK
4.FEEDBACK
LECTURES
Lecture 1: Typographic Systems
Shape grammar a set of shape rules that apply in a step by step way to generate a set, language, of designs
8 major variations of typographic system :
1. Axial System all elements are organized to the left or right of a single axis.
2. Radial System all elements are extended from a point of focus.
3. Dilatational System all elements expand from a central point in a circular fashion contains information on either side can be placed in a hierarchy manner.
4. Random System have no specific pattern or relationship.
5. Grid System a system of vertical and horizontal divisions.
6. Modular System a series of non objective elements that are constructed in as a standardised unit.
7. Transitional System an informal system of layered banding.
8. Bilateral System all text are arranged symmetrically on a single axis.
Lecture 2: Typographic Compositions
Figure 1.2 Typographic compositions (04/05/2025)
Principles of design composition :
1. Emphasis
2. Contrast
3. Rule of thirds
4. Alignment
5. Perspective
6. Rhythm
7. Balance
8. Repetition
9. Isolation
Environmental Grid is the exploration of an existing structure or numerous structures combined.
Form and movement is the exploration of an existing grid system.
Lecture 3 :
Handwriting is foundational to all mechanically produced letterforms.
The Latin alphabet evolved from ancient scripts like Phoenician and Greek.
Cuneiform and hieroglyphics represent some of the earliest writing systems.
The evolution of writing reflects cross cultural influences across regions.
Context and historical analysis are vital for understanding typography developments.
The digitization of indigenous scripts is necessary to preserve cultural heritage.
Designers are encouraged to explore local histories for inspiration and originality.
The importance of handwriting lies in the fact that it was the earliest form that typography tried to replicate. This shows a clear link between physical writing and the way type design developed over time. Many typographic styles that exist today actually have their roots in the forms created by hand.
When looking at historical development, the shift from pictographs to phonetic scripts was a major turning point in how people communicated through writing. One of the most influential examples of this change is the Phoenician alphabet, which had a big impact on later systems such as Greek and Latin.
Cultural exchange also played a key role in how language and writing systems grew. For instance, Egyptian hieroglyphics left a mark on other writing systems, showing that early civilizations were connected and no writing system appeared completely on its own.
Digitalization challenge we face is the need to digitize and protect indigenous writing systems. Doing this is important because it helps preserve cultural identity in a world that is becoming more globalized.
Technology has also created new possibilities by making different writing systems more accessible. Through software and digital tools, it is now easier to create typefaces that support multiple scripts, which helps people communicate in their native languages more smoothly.
Students and designers are encouraged to explore their own local histories to inspire fresh typographic designs. By engaging with cultural heritage, designers can produce work that feels more meaningful and original, while also connecting with today’s audiences.
Another point emphasized is the idea of moving beyond Western influences. Non-Western designers are encouraged to revisit and embrace their own cultural narratives instead of leaning too much on Western aesthetics. This approach can help bring out more authentic and creative designs that are grounded in their own traditions.
INSTRUCTIONS
TASK
Advance Typography: Task 1 Exercises
Week 1 :
For the first exercise we were tasked on exploring the 8 typographic system which is axial, radial, dilatational, random, grid, modular, transitional and bilateral.
Axial System
For the first attempt, i used the "Russian Constructivism and Graphic Design" title but it fell short so i changed it to "The ABCs of Bauhaus Design Theory" and made simple designs with it, incorporating blue navy color as well.
Radial System
I tried making funky looking designs for the radial system. I tried to imitate the earth and the moon for the first design and made it using a white and black background to gain more insight on which one is better but it still looks quite off so going with the theme of "planets", i tried imitating the solar system look for the final design.
Dilatational System
This system is very tricky to pull off in my opinion because the circular shapes get very confusing so my very first attempt is quite terrible and so in the second one i changed most of the design, prominently the inner part where i made a point of focus for the whole design using a blue navy circle and making the words circulating around it.
Random System
The very first attempt of this Random system looks more like a grid because its too tidy from my perspective and so i made it messier in the second attempt by making some of the paragraph diagonal and some overlapped with each other
Figure 3.4 Random attempt, week 1 (27/04/2025)
Grid System
I made a simple grid system design by making the title very big and place it on the top left side so that it is prominent. I explored further by adding lines that intersect with each other to emphasize it further and added navy blue to the middle part of the title because i wanted there to be a different color.
Figure 3.5 Grid attempt, week 1 (27/04/2025)
Modular System
For the modular design, i explored further with the placement of my text and rectangle shapes because i wanted to see which one fits best in my eyes. I wanted to create a sort of asymmetrical balance to it and so that is my goal in the creation of this typographic system.
Bilateral System
This system is relatively simple because i only needed to find the proper font for the title (mainly) and the contents. I maintained a simple design throughout and explored different layout and try to incorporate elements such as a line and a circle as "break" between the title and the main content.
Figure 3.10 Revised dilatational, week 2 (30/04/2025)
Transitional :
It already look transitional, but it could be improved in terms of spacing to emphasize it more and so that's what i did, the change is only little.
Figure 3.11 Revised transitional, week 2 (30/04/2025)
Bilateral :
The leading and spacing was really awkward in the design and so i made a few adjustments to it so that it looks more balance and appealing to the eye.
Exercise 1 Final Submission
Axial
5.jpg)
Radial
8.jpg)
Figure 3.14 Radial system, week 2 (30/04/2025)
Dilatational
Figure 3.15 Dilatational system, week 2 (30/04/2025)
Random
6.jpg)
Grid
7.jpg)
Figure 3.17 Grid system, week 2 (30/04/2025)
Modular
.jpg)
Figure 3.18 Modular system, week 2 (30/04/2025)
Transitional
3.jpg)
Figure 3.19 Transitional system, week 2 (30/04/2025)
Bilateral
4.jpg)
Figure 3.21 8 typographic system without grids PDF, week 2 (30/04/2025)
8 Typographic System with Grids
Figure 3.22 8 typographic system with grids PDF, week 2 (30/04/2025)
Exercise 2: Type & Play
We were instructed to find an image that has potential letterforms in it. Later, we transform it into a typeface while maintaining it's original characteristics. I use an image of a desert that has some rocks in it and used the Narock and Univers Condensed Bold as my font reference because i want a rocky rigid look.
Figure 3.23 Reference and chosen picture, week 2 (04/05/2025)
Figure 3.24 Process, week 2 (04/05/2025)
Figure 3.25 Compiled work and process, week 2 (04/05/2025)
Revisions
I added some sand like effects to the edge of the letters so it looks more sandy.
Figure 3.26 Adding sand effect, week 3 (07/05/2025)
Final Outcome
Figure 3.27 Final Outcome, week 3 (07/05/2025)
Mock Movie Poster
References
Digitalization
I started this process by finding the appropriate image and so i want to pinterest, did some digging and found this.
Figure 3.29 Background image, week 3 (10/05/2025)
After i found the image, i moved to photoshop and did some gradient effects to the title so that it looks like its fading.
Figure 3.30 Adding gradient, week 3 (10/05/2025)
Next, i made the film information (production team) that is usually present in real movie posters. I used the Univers font in white color because it looks very fitting. I also placed logos such as Dolby and A24.
Figure 3.31 Adding information, week 3 (10/05/2025)
Exercise 2 Final Submission
Figure 3.34 Extracted letterforms, week 4 (05/14/2025)
Figure 3.38 Exercise 2 part 1 PDF compilation , week 4 (05/14/2025)
Figure 3.39 Final poster, week 4 (05/14/2025)
Figure 3.40 Final poster PDF, week 4 (05/14/2025)
FEEDBACK
Week 1
General feedback : -
Specific feedback : -
Week 2
General feedback : We need to avoid extreme angle when making a design because it can divide the page in half, the main objective is to convey information to the reader
Specific feedback : Good attempt on axial, excellent radial design but needs margin space, dilatational looks like an island, random is good, grid is good, modular is good because its balance and bold, transitional has some transition but needs work in spacing, fix the leading in the bilateral because it looks awkward.
Week 3
General feedback : We can add slight changes so that the letter doesn't look to consistent or boring if it is necessary.
Specific feedback : Already looks okay but can add a fine sand effect to the edges of the letter.
Week 4
General feedback : The words inside the poster needs to be functional.
Specific feedback : No problem, the sand fading effect is good, good job.
REFLECTION
Experience :
Surprisingly more enjoyable than the first semester of typography. This module started off quite well because the assignments were less dull than the first semester's typography. The assignments require more creative and critical thinking, which made them very interesting. The first task is very tough, though, substantially harder than the second task because it was very time-consuming, and we had to do it in Adobe InDesign, which is quite complicated in my opinion because I haven't opened it since the first semester. Mr. Vinod also frequently joked around and made really funny and memorable lines that made the class really fun and entertaining. Overall, it is off to a great start, and I am eager to see what future classes have in store for us.
Observation :
During class I did some observing and never realized how important it is to control the sizing and color choices of the letters on a movie poster. Legibility is very important in general, but it is sometimes overlooked by movie poster designers because I frequently see movie posters containing words that you can barely read, or you can read them, but you have to get really close to see them. The information needs to be functional, as it is not present just as a decoration but to give credit to the crew that majorly participated in making the movie.
Findings :
It was surprising when I found out that Adobe InDesign has a feature where you can control the angles of the type path on a circle. To do this, you can just drag a vertical bar that is usually present on the outer line of the circle, but it is very confusing because when you drag these vertical lines, they are very vague, which makes it tedious to work with, especially when you have to make a bunch of these circle-type paths.
FURTHER READING
Typographic Systems by Kimberly Elam
Week 1 :
Each of the systems have their own distinct aesthetic and visual language, they are not made for long messages but they can be made to communicate with dynamic energy.
Nonobjective elements such as the circle, lines and etc, sharpens and can articulate the composition. Nonobjective elements can become functional guides when they are used in typography properly by guiding the viewers or directing it.
Week 2 :
The axial system can help designers to develop a keen awareness of grouping, word space, letter space, leading, and composition.
Narrow columns with short line lengths provide the most variability in the position of the axis.
Asymmetric compositions can be created by moving the axis and text to the left or right.
Week 3 :
Nonobjective work only begins after the designer has experimented with composition using only one size and one weight of type.
Nonobjective elements can expand to create a background that shapes the space.
Week 4 :
Strong diagonal direction inherent in radial compositions, they are visually active and dynamic but radial compositions are quite difficult to read and is mor appropriate for visual messages with limited amounts of text.
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