Typography / Task 2

 Typography | Task 2

|| 28/10/2024 - 04/11/2024  (week 6 - week 7)

|| Leong Hui Xuan / 0365793 / Bachelor of design (Honours) in creative media

|| Typography

|| Task 2 : Typographic Expression and Communication

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Lectures

2. Instructions

3. Process Work

4. Feedback

5. Reflection

6. Further Reading

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LECTURES

Lecture 6 : Typo_5_Understanding

💫 This lecture was aimed at enhancing the understaning of typography in current work.

Figure 1.1, Nuances in typography

Symmetry: Many uppercase letter form have symmetrical, but they often have unique stroke weights that create illusion of symmetry.

Individuality: Each letter form is treated with individual care to ensuring harmony.

Nuances: Designers have to aware of optical adjustments for instance, curved strokes often exceed the median line to appear visually balanced.

Median Line: Representing the line above the baseline where lowercase letter sit.

Figure 1.2, Counterforms

Counterforms: The negative space around latter forms is essential for readability. (Proper handling of counters will affects how well the words hang together)

Figure1.3, Contrast in Typography

Contrast: Powerful dynamic in design and producing variations that can differentiate information. (Bold and condensed)

Tips

• Analyzing Existing Typerface: Analyze existing ones to understand conventions and nuances. Focus on how different designers approach similar letter to own design.
• Maintaining Consistency: Avoid overloading letter forms with evcessive decorative features. (Simplicity and consistency are key)

Lecture 7 : Typo_6_Screen and Print

In this lecture, we were been introduce about the different mediums in typography and focus on the evolving role of typography, particularly in the context-based platforms. 

Figure 1.4, Mediums of Typography

Mediums of Typography

Print vs. Screen 

Print: Primary typefaces were created specifically for readability in physical formats before screens became dominant.The designer's role is to ensure the text flows smoothly and remains pleasant to read, making print communication effective and accessible. 

Screen: Typefaces designed for screens are specifically optimized for digital environments to enhance readability and performance. Adjustments may include taller X-heights, reduced ascenders/descenders, wider letterforms, and more open counters.

Hyperactive Link / Hyperlink

Hyperlink is a word, phrase, or image that you can click to navigate to another document or section within the same document. It allows users to jump from one web page to another and is typically blue and underlined.

Font size for Screen

- 16-pixel text on screens is roughly equivalent in size to printed text in books or magazines, considering the typical reading distance for both. Printed text is often set at around 10 points when held close, while text for screens is commonly set at 16 pixels. (Can be even larger for better readability such as 20 pixels)

- Modern web design allows for consistent typography across different operating systems, aided by resources like Google Fonts.

Figure 1.5, Pixel different between devices

Static Vs. Motion

Static Typography:

While immobile,  static typography still offers some expressive potential. Traditional styles, like bold and italic, provide limited dynamism but can still convey tone. Static typography is commonly used across media, including billboards, posters, magazines, and flyers, with a wide variety of purposes

Motion Typography:

Temporal media provide typographers with the chance to dramatize type, making letterforms fluid and kinetic. This concept, known as kinetic typography, brings text to life through animation. ( Include film title credits and brand identities in film or television production)

INSTRUCTIONS

PROCESS WORK

Task 2 - Editorial - Text Options

In task 2, we need to design headings and the body text layout that we chose in the given paragraphs. First, we need to have sketches of the heading we've picked. After showing Mr. Max making adjustments based on his response, then we can use the box to represent the body text to see how the entire layout looks. I chose the topic "Unite to Visualise a Better World" as my task 2. Since the body text of this topic was something related to the UI/UX designer, I was thinking of designing this as an advertisement.

Sketches/ Draft:

To grab the viewer's attention and show that it is a heading, the hierarchy principle was used into of all 4 design.

Figure 2.0, Sketches of task 2

Figure 2.1, Draft with the box

Design 1: To express the idea of ​​"unity" and make the word larger than the other words, I connected the left and right sides of each of the letters. To show that Unite was the main word, I placed the other words in the topic below it and not longer than it. In addition, I decided to place the subtitle of the body text below the topic, but in the middle and at a smaller size, so that the topic and the subtitle create a hierarchy principle while also demonstrating balance.

Design 2: In design 2, I made the word "visualise" as the main headline text. I combined the vertical line of the letter "T" in the words "unite" and "better" and the letter "I" in the word "visualise" to create a long line that extended from T to the edge in order to illustrate the meaning of the words "unite" and "visualise." In addition, I extend the letter "I in the word "Visualise's  to the upper edge. In order emphasise the other words, I also made the words To and A smaller. To give the design a layered looks, I placed the subtitle under the topic and smaller the sizes.

Design 3: Similar to design 1, I used the word "Unite" as the main header. So, my idea was to make the letter "U" with the left sides longer than the right sides, and then place the letters "N,I,T,E" above the right sides of the letter "U". After consulting with Mr Max, I placed the other words in the topic next to the letter "U" and below the letters "I,T,E".

Design 4: I emphasise the word "visualise" as the header's main focus and give it a fish eyes perspective effect. Then, to give it a fresh look, I used Gill Sans Shadowed font for the words Unite and Better World.

Digitalise:

These were the final digitalise based on the sketches, for these digitalise I used two fonts to design each so its not look so messy and viariety of style. 

Figure 2.2 Design 1

Figure 2.3 Design 2

Figure 2.4 Design 3

Figure 2.5 Design 4

Final Outcome:

Final Text Formatting Layout:

HEAD LINE

Typeface: Gill Sans Std

Font/s: Shadowed

Type Size/s: 42 pt

Leading: 2 pt

Paragraph spacing: 0

Typeface: Futura Std

Font/s: Bold/ Medium

Type Size/s: 90 pt /16 pt

Leading: 2 pt

Paragraph spacing: 0

BODY

Typeface:Futura Std

Font/s: Bold

Type Size/s: 16 pt

Leading: 11 pt

Paragraph spacing: 0 pt

Characters per-line: 50-60

Alignment: left justified

Margins: 10 mm

Column: 2

Gutter: 5 mm

Figure 2.6, Final outcome without grid

Figure 2.7, Final outcome with grid

FEEDBACK

Week 6

General Feedback: Doing the 4 heading sketches for task 2.

Week 7

General Feedback: The 4 sketches were done and approved by Mr Max, need to digitalize in Adobe Illustration and InDesign.

Specific Feedback: For the sketch of design 2, don't make the seperate place or cut the place because the meaning of unity try to connect it. Besides, make the words readable easily.

Week 8

General Feedback: Task 2 was done, updating the e-blog.

REFLECTION

Experiences

In Task 2, I explored the principles of typography by desigining headings and body text layouts for the topic "Unite to Visualise a Better World." This task required us to sketch multiple ideas and chose the best options to the next steps. The process of designing these layouts was quite challenging for me, it need to think critically to make some words stand out and the design of the body text. However, I improved my ideas and received a better understanding of how to create a cohesive piece with Mr. Max's feedback.

Observation

The design emphasize different key terms, such as "Unite " and "Visualise " to create a clear hierarchy. Example, I combined the vertical strokes of letters "T" and "I" of the words to visually connect the words. Besides, I noticed that combinning two contrasting fonts improve the overall layout. I learnt that how even small adjustments could improve the overall design by experiments with typefaces, sizes and placement.

Finding

Before deciding a final design, it is crucial to explore with different options. Typography is not just about aesthetic, it also play an important part in delivering the message that the word. Overall, this task was a valuable learning, it increased my sensitivity for the subtlety of typography. I hope to improve my storytelling part of visual communication from typography more.

FURTHER READING 

  The Vignelli Canon by Massimo Vignelli

This book is about design principles that emphasizes simplicity and functionality in design. It separate into two parts: The Intangibles and The Tangibles.

The Intangibles

• Semantics: The importance of understanding the meaning of the design and its purpose.
• Syntactics: Consistency in design, focusing on structural elements
• Pragmatics: The need for clarity and understanding in communication through design.
• Discipline: The necesseity of attention to detail and adherence to design principles.
• Appropriateness: Designing solutions specific to the problem's context.
• Timelessness: Avoiding trends in favor of design principles.

The Tangibles

• The use of grids, margins and typefaces to create structed and effective design.
• Practical design such as paper sizes, color, texture and layout.
• The importance of whitespace.

Design Philosophy: Design as a discipline, not a style. 

Visual Power: Emphasizes the need for design to beauty of intellectual and avoid over-designed elements.

Ethics in Design: Advocates for a responsible approach to design.