Advanced Typography - Task 1 / Exercises: Typographic Systems & Type & Play

22/04/2024 - ?/04/2024 (Week 01 - Week 03)
Nadhrah Binti Abdul Razak / 0359620
Typography / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Task 1 - Exercises: Typographic Systems & Type & Play

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A. LECTURES

1. Typographic Systems

Eight major variations with an infinite number of permutations:
- Axial
- Radial
- Dilatational 
- Random
- Grid
- Modular
- Transitional
- Bilateral

Typographical organisation is complex due to the elements being dependent on communication in order to function. Additional criteria that comes to play; hierarchy, order of reading, legibility, and contrast.

The typographic systems are akin to the term 'shape grammars' given by architectures. A shape grammar is a set of shape rules that apply in a step-by-step way to generate a set, or language, of designs.

- Axial: text is on the left or right of the axis, the axis can be a straight line or bent line

Fig 1.1a

- Radial: text is extended from a point or multiple points of focus

Fig 1.2a

- Dilatational: text extended from a center point in a circular form

Fig 1.3a

- Random: text has no specific pattern or relationship

Fig 1.4a

- Grid: a system of vertical and horizontal divisions

Fig 1.5a

- Modular: non-objective text that is made in as standardized units

Fig 1.6a

- Transitional: informal system of layered branding

Fig 1.7a

- Bilateral: text is arranged symmetrically on one axis

Fig 1.8a

2. Typographic Composition

Principles Of Design Composition:

Consists of design principles like emphasis, isolation, repetition , symmetry and asymmetry , alignment and perspectives. However, when it comes to using them on typographic layouts, they will seem more relevant to imagery than complex unit of information. 

Using these on real life contents such as text information, images and colors on a page or screen can be disparate but repetition and perspective is even harder to translate onto typographic systems.

Fig 2.1a

Rule of thirds:
It is a photogenic principle guide to composition, it suggests that a frame can be divided into 3 columns and 3 rows. The intersecting lines is used as a guide to place the points of interest, within the given space.

Fig 2.2a

Other model/systems

Environmental Grid:
Exploration of an existing structure and numerous structures combined.

Form & Movement:
Exploration of existing Grid systems to create something unique by dispelling the serious surroundings of the application of grid systems

Fig 2.3a

3. Context & Creativity

Handwriting:
- The first mechanically hand produced letterforms that were designed to directly imitate handwriting. 
- The shape and line of hand drawn letterforms are influenced by the tools and materials used to make them.

Fig 3.1a

Fig 3.2a

Fig 3.3a

Fig 3.4a

Development of Western Handwriting (in sequence):

- Cuneiform
-Hieroglyphics
- Early Greek
- Roman Uncials 

- English Half Uncials
- Emperor Charlemange
- Blackletter
- The Italian Renaissance
- Movable Type 

- Movable type was introduced in 1000-1100CE and China tried to use it for printing but it was unsuccessful due to the characters and the clay material used. In late 14C, Koreans discovered a way to cast movable type in bronze which allows the resetting of text.

Fig 3.5a

Development of Eastern Handwriting:

- The digital revolution of the western handwriting resulted in the selling of them through type industries.
- Historical handwriting is being recognized around which is a great factor but colonization between the east and the west leads to a decrease in cultural heritage, practices, literature and arts. 

The oldest writing found in Indian is called Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) Script in 3500 - 2000 BCE. 

Fig 3.6a

Fig 3.7a

Fig 3.8a

Cunieform (c. 3000 B.C.E.) : The earliest writing system

Its distinctive wedge form was the result of pressing the blunt end of a reed stylus into a wet clay tablets. This was read left to right 

Fig 3.9a

Hieroglyphics (2613-2160 B.C.E)

The Egyptian writing system is fused with the art of relief carving. The system is a mixture of both rebus and phonetic characters. 

Fig 3.10a

Early Greek 

Built on the Egyptian Logo-Consonantal System, the Phoenicians developed a phonetic alphabet consisting of 22 letters. 

Fig 3.11a

Roman Uncials 

By the 4th Century Roman letters were becoming more rounded, the curve form allowed for less strokes ad could be written faster. 

Fig 3.12a

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B. INSTRUCTIONS


 EXERCISE 1: TYPOGRAPHIC SYSTEMS
For our first exercise, we are required to come up with 8 designs based on the typographic systems using the 10 fonts given by our lecturer.

Process
Most of my artworks I have referenced and areapplied from the lectures given by Mr Vinod. From there, I started sketching for a few of the system. (axial, radial, dilatational & grid system)

Adobe InDesign

Axial System
When executing the first design using axial system, I decided to use the Univers fonts.

For the heading, I used the 85 Extra Black Univers Lt Std font in the colour white with the size being 32pt.

For the subheadings (dates), I used 75 Black Oblique Univers LT Std font in the colour black with 11 pt being the font size. For the body, I used 65 Bold Univers LT Std font with the size being 11 pt as well.

Grid System

Heading
Font: Futura Std, Bold
Size: 33pts
Style: Underline

Heading 2
Font: Futura Std, Book Oblique
Size: 28 pts

Subheading (Dates)
Font: Futura Std, Heavy Oblique
Size: 12 pts

Body:
Font: Futura Std, Medium
Size: 12 pts

1. Axial System

Fig 1.1c

2. Radial System

Fig 1.2c

3. Dilatational System

Fig 1.3c

4. Random System

Fig 1.4c

5. Grid System

Fig 1.5c

6. Modular System

Fig 1.6c

7. Transitional System

Fig 1.7c

8. Bilateral System

Fig 1.8c



Fig 1.9, PDF Final Outcome Exercise 1 without grids


Fig 1.10, Final Outcome Exercise 1 with grids

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EXERCISE 2: TYPE & PLAY (FINDING TYPE)
For our second exercise, we are required to choose an image that is either man-made, nature or a structure that does not contain multiple elements in it. Furthermore, we have to analyze, identify as well as dissect potential letterforms from the picture.

Process:
For this exercise, I decided to go on Pinterest to research for pictures. I searched up manmade however the picture that I came across was a nature picture. 

Fig 2.1c, brain coral

After choosing the picture that I want to analyze (Fig 2.1c), I began to dissect potential letterforms from the image. 

Fig 2.2c, letterforms dissection

The letters that I have dissected from the image are S, U, W, O, D. After dissecting, I began sketching the letters on my iPad to be able to vision my extraction better.

Fig 2.3c, sketch

When sketching my letters, I wanted it to have an underwater feeling to it as brain corals, or corals in general grow underwater. After sketching, I move on to extracting the letters on Adobe Illustrator.

Fig 2.4, first attempt

For my first attempt, I decided to have an underwater background as my picture. After getting a general feedback in class from Mr Vinod, I decided to scrap this idea as my picture is not related to coral reef and I didn't really like the outcome of my letterforms.

fig 2.5, picture chosen

fig 2.6, letterforms

When designing my letterforms, I wanted a 3D feeling to it, hence, I used the 3D inflate under the effects tab.

fig 2.7, poster reference

FINAL OUTCOME

Fig 2.8, Final Outcome JPEG


Fig 2.9, Final Outcome PDF

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C. FEEDBACKS

Specific feedback: Update your lectures as it is incomplete

General feedback: E-portfolio must be updated weekly, the picture does not correlate to the letterforms

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D.  REFLECTION

Experience
Working on Typographic Systems and Type & Play assignments has been interesting and difficult. At first, it seemed impossible to comprehend and use complex typographic principles. However, I developed a greater understanding of how type can be both useful and expressive through practical exercises and experimentation. Creating and modifying numerous typographic layouts, investigating the connections between various types, and experimenting with imaginative, entertaining typographic applications were all part of the process.

Findings
These assignments have shown us how important typographic systems are to clear communication. Readability and user experience are greatly improved by the systematic approach of typographic systems, such as grid layouts and hierarchical arrangement. Furthermore, the Type & Play assignment's exploration of the integration of fun components into typography showed how type design inventiveness may enhance the readability and retention of material. The contrast between inventiveness and structure demonstrated typography's adaptability to both formal and casual settings.

Observations
These projects taught me that a good typographic system creates a balance between use and visual appeal. While there is a lot of space for creativity and individual expression, typographic systems do include rules and principles that are necessary for clarity and coherence. The Type & Play assignment demonstrated how breaking traditional typographic conventions can provide vibrant and lively designs that strengthen an audience connection. All things considered, the amalgamation of methodical techniques and imaginative investigation has shown to be a potent strategy in the creation of efficient and aesthetically pleasing typographic solutions.

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E. FURTHER READING

A type primer, John Kane

John Kane's A Type Primer is a basic introduction to the principles of typography. It provides an extensive synopsis of type design, its background, and useful applications, which makes it a vital tool for beginners and those wishing to brush up on their typographic expertise.

- From early hand lettering to the creation of moveable type and digital fonts, the book charts the development of typography. It highlights the ways in which typographic techniques of today are shaped by historical events.

- Typefaces, fonts, x-height, leading, kerning, and tracking are just a few of the important terms and concepts that Kane explains. It is essential to comprehend these terminology in order to discuss and manipulate type in an effective manner.

- Serif, sans-serif, script, and display types are among the main typeface classifications that are covered in the primer. It helps readers select the appropriate type for different design purposes by outlining the traits and suitable applications of each group.