Task 1 / EXERCISES - TYPOGRAPHIC SYSTEMS & TYPE

 Task 1 / Exercise : Typographic System & Type 

Week 1 - Week 4 / 30.8.23 - 20.9.23

Advanced Typography / Exercise

Tong Min Xuan / 0362744

Bachelor of Design in Creative Media / Advance Typography

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LECTURES

Week 1 - Typographic Systems 

Typographic systems are an essential aspect of design.  There are various typographic systems, each with its own unique characteristics and applications. 

Here are some examples:

Grid System: 

Vertical/horizontal divisions.

Transitional System:

Informal layered bands.

Modular System: 

Standardized non-objective units.

Bilateral System: 

Symmetrical text on one axis.

Axial System: 

Elements align left/right along one axis.

Radial System: 

Elements extend from a focus point.

Dilatational System:

 Elements expand from center in a circle.

Random System:

 Elements lack specific pattern.

Fig 1.1 Typographic systems 

Week 2 - Typographic Composition

The Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds is a compositional guideline used in various visual arts, including typographic composition.  The resulting grid consists of four intersection points and four lines that divide the image into thirds both horizontally and vertically.

-Placement of elements: Important compositional elements should be placed along the lines or their intersections

-Creating visual interest: Aligning a subject with the grid's points of intersection can create more tension, energy, and interest in the composition compared to centering the subject.

-Subject positioning: When photographing or filming people, aligning their body or eyes with the grid lines can help create a balanced and unified image

Fig 1.2 The Rule of Thirds

Typographic Systems-

At the core of typography is the critical task of setting type in grids. A grid brings order and hierarchy to a page—it lives at the center of any piece of design. It can influence every aspect of the design, like image ratios, measure, order of information, and the remainder of the layout. Grids are an essential part of a designer’s arsenal, creating a neatly-crafted, equal system for arranging content in the space of a screen.

Grid systems started as helper lines for written books. Artists used grid systems to layout the content – text and images – in a manner that makes reading and absorption easier. Newspapers, books, magazines, and classifieds, etc., all use different grid systems that make the optimum use of space for better reading and presentation.

Fig 1.3  Grid System

Fig 1.4 Grid System

Other models / Systems :

Environmental Grid

-Straight and curved lines that are essential are extracted.

-This system investigates current or merged structures.

-It gives the forms that are used in designs context.

-These lines serve as a superstructure used by designers to organise information and produce a distinctive texture.

Form and Movement 

 

-Take away the solemnity that grids frequently evoke.

-The examination of an existing grid system served as the foundation for this system.

-Imagine page-turning as a slow-motion animation with colour, text, and image elements.

-Draw attention to how the animation's components are positioned.

Fig 1.5 Form and Movement

Fig 1.6 Form and Movement

There are twelve basic principles of design :

-contrast

-balance

-emphasis

-proportion

-hierarchy

-repetition

-rhythm

-pattern

-white space

-movement

-variety

-unity

Week 3 - Context & Creativity

-Handwriting is important in typography since the first machine produced letterforms were modelled after it, influencing its form, spacing, and traditions. This evolved become the benchmark that mechanical type attempted to match.

-Western cultures started digitising their historical works during the digital revolution, and type foundries produced, sold, and licenced them.

- Originality and creativity frequently go hand in hand. We must consider our own histories, civilizations, cultures, and communities if we are to cultivate these attributes. As a result, we can build on our cultural history rather than appropriating ideas and innovations without understanding their context, meaning, or relatability.

Letter forms :

Early Greek 

-This refers to the ancient Greek civilization that spanned from the 8th century BC to the 6th century AD. The early Greek culture was influential in many fields, such as philosophy, art, literature, science, mathematics, and politics. The early Greek alphabet was derived from the Phoenician script and consisted of 24 letters. 

Black Letter 

-This is a type of script that was used in Western Europe from the 12th to the 17th century. It is also known as Gothic script, Gothic minuscule, or Textura. It developed from Carolingian minuscule as a faster and more compact way of writing. Black letter has a dark and angular appearance, with sharp curves and broken strokes. It was used for printing books, especially religious works, until it was replaced by Roman type. Some of the examples of black letter typefaces are Fraktur, Schwabacher, and Rotunda.

The Italian Renaissance 

- This was a period of cultural rebirth that occurred in Italy from the 14th to the 16th century. It marked the transition from the medieval to the modern era in Europe. The Italian Renaissance was characterized by a revival of classical learning, art, literature, and science. It also saw the development of humanism, a philosophical movement that emphasized the dignity and potential of human beings. 

Hieroglyphics

-This is a system of writing that was used by the ancient Egyptians from around 3200 BC to the 4th century AD. It consists of pictorial symbols that represent words or sounds. Hieroglyphics were written on stone, papyrus, wood, or metal. They were used for religious, administrative, and historical purposes. 

Roman letter

-This is a type of script that is based on the classical Roman capital letters. It is also known as Roman type or Antiqua. It emerged in the 15th century as a contrast to black letter. Roman letter has a clear and elegant appearance, with round and straight strokes. It was influenced by the humanist handwriting of the Italian Renaissance. Roman letter became the dominant typeface in Western printing and is still widely used today. Some of the examples of Roman typefaces are Garamond, Times New Roman, Helvetica, and Arial .

Carolingian Minuscule

-This is a type of script that was developed in the late 8th century under the patronage of Charlemagne, the king of the Franks and later emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. It is also known as Caroline minuscule or Carolingian script. It was based on the classical Roman half-uncial and uncial scripts. Carolingian minuscule has a uniform and legible appearance, with round and curved strokes. It was used for copying books and documents throughout Europe until it was superseded by Gothic script. 

Movable Type 

-This is a system of printing that uses individual pieces of metal or wood that have letters or symbols carved on them. These pieces can be arranged in a frame to form words or sentences and then inked and pressed onto paper or other materials. Movable type was invented independently in China around the 11th century and in Europe around the 15th century by Johannes Gutenberg. 

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INSTRUCTIONS

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Task 1 : 

Exercise 1 /  Typographic systems

In this task , we need to produce eight different type of typographic systems which is Axial, Radial, Dilatational, Random, Grid, Modular, Transitional, and Bilateral using in design . Three colours are the most we may utilise, including white and black.

I looked over other typographic systems examples to get more inspirations on my working process.

Fig 1.7 Research on Typographic system 

                                                            Fig 1.8 Progress of axial system

Fig 1.9 Progress of Radial System

Submission:

Fig 2.0 axial typography system (JPEG)

Fig 2.1 radial typographic system (JPEG)

Fig 2.2 random typographic system (JPEG)

Fig 2.3 grid typographic system (JPEG)

Fig 2.4 bilateral typographic system (JPEG)

Fig 2.5 modular typographic system (JPEG)

Fig 2.6 dilatational typographic system (JPEG)

Fig 2.7 transitional typographic system (JPEG)

   

                                                   Fig 2.8 typographic system with guides (PDF)

    

                                                          Fig 2.9 typographic system (PDF)

Exercise 2 ( Type and Play )

In order to complete this exercise , we must select an image , construction, or something from nature that doesn't have a lot of diverse aspects. The deconstructed image will next need to be examined, broken down, and potential letterforms found within it identified.

I went to the website and searched for some photo of textures and then finally decided to use the texture of wood to complete my exercise.

Fig 3.0 Photo picked

Fig 3.1 Letterform Tracing 

I drew and extracted some letters roughly based on the grain on the wood

Fig 3.2 Univers LT STD 67 Bold Condensed Oblique

After finalizing my letterforms, I decided to look for a reference font to guide me in perfecting it. However, it wasn't that easy to find a font that was similar to the look I was going for because my letterform shapes are of the more irregular type whereas most of the other fonts are more regular fonts. I chose this font although it's not very similar to mine, but I feel that the shape of the main question is consistent except for the regularity.

Poster Process :

Fig 3.3  first attempt

I used this image as a background but I think the background colour is too heavy and hard to bring out my fonts and headlines, and the overall look is not harmonious so i change to another background

Fig 3.4 Poster Process

Submission:

Fig 3.5 Type and Play (JPEG)

   

                                                            Fig 3.4 Type and Play (PDF)

Feedback

Week 1

General feedback Mr vinod showed us how to edit the eportfolio and indesign and let us

start with the first exercise.

Week 2

General feedback

In this class, Mr vinod looked at our work and gave us feedback and suggestions. Colour harmony is crucial in the design, and there shouldn't be too many design elements. It is important to distinguish between the modular pattern and the tabular pattern in the layout mode. Strike a balance between images and text using language, and avoid using too many frills. Random system in advanced typography should be not so regular. Therefore ,Mr vinod also have briefing for the next task. Week 3

General Feedback Don't limit yourself by the extracted letters' format; let your imagination lead you in the direction it desires. Make sure your letterforms accurately convey your brand.

Specific Feedback

Try to represent it in a different way so that the viewer can see and know what you associate with the typeface.

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FURTHER READING

Why Fonts Matter: Exploring the Power of Typography," delves into the fascinating realm of fonts and their profound impact on design, communication, and culture.

In an era saturated with images and digital media, one might be tempted to overlook the importance of fonts. However, as you will soon discover, fonts are not mere visual elements; they possess a unique ability to shape emotions, evoke memories, and influence our interpretation of written content.

This book is a journey through the multifaceted aspects of typography, where we explore the fundamental reasons why fonts matter. We will unravel the intricacies of font selection, examining how various typefaces communicate distinct messages and establish visual identities. We will also delve into the historical and cultural significance of fonts, uncovering the legacy of different typographic styles and their enduring impact on design.