ADVANCED TYPOGRAPHY PROJECT 1
30 September 2019 - October 2019 ( week 6 - week )
Ahmed Baahy Suhail (0333925)
Advanced Typography
Project 1
LECTURES
Lecture 06: Typographic Composition
30 September 2019
This week, my classmates presented on Typographic Composition. Starting with Environmental composition, we learnt that this is the implementation of text onto architectural surfaces. Next was Environmental grids which is the use of shapes and lines from an image to create guidelines. Thi, in a sense is essentially like grids but you simplify objects into their most basic from and work with that as a guideline. The lecture ended with alternative methods which were just a portrayal of more com-positional options. It highlighted on spontaneity and how it can help designers and also touched on different alignments.
Lecture 07: Typography in Different Mediums
7 October 2019
We learnt about Typography in different mediums. Static typography consists of forms such as screen type and kinetic type. We also were taught about the application of motion and fluid in type and how it is used to catch the eye and grab the readers visual. In fluid, non typographical shapes can be formed as the text transforms into shapes. Lastly, we learnt about morphing where there's the standard and then there's complex morphing. This involves accelerated typography animation.
INSTRUCTIONS
EXERCISES
Idea 1- Banksy
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| Fig 1.1: Draft 1 |
Idea 2- Dobermann
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| Fig 1.2: Draft 2 |
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| Fig 1.3: Draft 3 |
Idea 2- Cactus
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| Fig 1.4: Draft 4 |
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| Fig 1.5: Draft 5 |
Idea 4- Fly
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| Fig 1.6: Draft 6 |
Development of Idea 2 ( Cactus)
Mr Vinod liked the direction I was heading with the cactus and suggested that I can create a cactus grenade. The grenade is to show explosive change while the cactus holds the message that change hurts.
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| Fig 1.7: Cactus Grenade concept process |
After creating the cactus grenade, I added some more symbolic elements. The safety pin of the grenade is replaced with a ring to symbolize commitment (values of a troublemaker/ commitment to changing design) I also added simple shapes to represent design. I thought of putting a baby's hand to hold the grenade because I wanted to symbolize birth ( birth of a new design/ revolution )
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| Fig 1.8: Cactus grenade concept process |
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| Fig 1.9: Cactus Grenade concept process |
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| Fig 2.0: Cactus Grenade concept process |
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| Fig 2.1: Cactus Grenade concept final draft |
After receiving feedback on this, I decided to scrap this whole idea as it just was not working and start fresh.
I wanted to work with crows as I found out that it the bird symbolizes a new phase which is representative to a new movement of design. Here is my process.
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| Fig 2.2: Introduction of new crow concept |
New Idea- Crow
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| Fig 2.3: Progression of crow concept |
Mr Vinod said this idea holds much more promise than the previous one and that I have to tweak the design since this does not reflect the messages in my explanation. The message is not so understandable at first glance so made the symbolic elements much more pronounced by enlarging them and replacing the eyes with a much more impactful one. I also infused a face within the wings so the message becomes more evident and created a ripple like effect with geometric lines as Mr Vinod suggested to use geometric lines to portray the ripples.
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| Fig 2.4: Progression of crow concept |
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| Fig 2.5: Progression of crow concept |
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| Fig 2.6: Face detail |
I added a motion blur so the ripple effect has more visual appeal.
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| Fig 2.7: Progression of crow concept |
I felt as though there was too much going on so made it much more simplified.
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| Fig 2.8: Final draft of crow concept |
Mr Vinod approved of this but suggested that I should introduced the fundamental shapes of design rather than just have circles.
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| Fig 2.9: Feedback from Mr Vinod |
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| Fig 3.0: Amendments made |
After artwork was created, I went on to exploring ways to place my text.
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| Fig 3.1: Exploring layout |
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| Fig 3.2: Exploring layout |
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| Fig 3.3: Exploring layout |
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| Fig 3.4: Exploring layout |
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| Fig 3.5: Exploring layout |
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| Fig 3.6: Exploring layout |
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| Fig 3.7: Exploring layout |
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Fig 3.8: Exploring layout
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| Fig 4.0: Approved Layouts by Mr Vinod |
I picked this from the two that Mr Vinod approved as I felt that this text has more impact than the other. I slightly decreased the size of the eyes since my teacher said it was too disturbing.
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| Fig 4.1: Project 1 Final Key Artwork |
Final Embedded Project 1 Key Artwork
FEEDBACK
Week 06: Specific Feedback: Fly idea: He didn't say anything he just said to move on to next one Dog bite idea: No comment
Cactus idea: He told me it is interesting and gave me the idea of having the cactus in the shape of a grenade because change does hurt to some extent. He said I could even extend beyond this and portray the fundamental aspects of design such as the basic shapes in the form of a cactus. Thought process is correct but you need the element of design to it.
Banksy idea: Can't use because I added Banksy's artwork Near the end of class I showed Mr Vinod my cactus grenade and he said there is no implication to design yet so to work on that and get artwork confirmed asap.
Online feedback: Doesn’t work...in this visual. The typo does not really work well with the visual. I’m trying to understand what is the relationship with the kiddish look in the typo and the visual?!? Let me put it this way re: key artwork ...It’s not a visual I’d get framed and hung on a wall. It isn’t exciting enough. It lacks sophistication and elegance in idea. You compare this work to the example I provided in the brief... where does yours stand? There’s your answer. General Feedback: Don't use lightbulbs. We must understand the full meaning behind manifesto first. He then showed us the process in creating mindmaps and how useful it can be to break down words into branches and mix and match. He also inspired the class a bit and told us that even he questioned himself in his path to becoming who he is now and told us how he did not give up no matter how down he felt. He just kept trying and was patient because you can't come up with good design in a short amount of time and you won't get an idea thats perfect right from the get go. He said that we will have to go through a number of ideas to identify which is the best one. He also encouraged us to ask for feedback not from classmates but from someone who has chemistry with you.
Week 07: Specific Feedback: When I presented my new and improve idea, my teacher said:" The visual looks a lot better. The explanation says much, but not all are visible, understandable or immediately apparent. That said, this shows more promise, tweaking is necessary. Try using geometric lines (plain lines) for the ripple, should look better. "the crow is a symbol for transformation and one that represents a new phase" I have never heard of that being said of a crow..." I then replied and said that even I myself have never heard that about a crow until I researched on it and found it to be everywhere. After making the proposed changes I sent Mr Vinod the corrected version to which he suggested to include fundamental shapes in the background rather than the current circles so I fixed that and finally for the artwork improved. In class, we had to show our drafts of the final artwork with the troublemakers phrase and for mine, my teacher's said that I have not done a very good job in making use of the space and that so far, the text just isn't working. I was encouraged to keep experimenting and Mr Vinod suggested putting the text at the back so I created several layouts. I finally got two approved and the final change suggested was to figure out a way to make the eyes less disturbing.
Please ensure your typesize in your eportfolio is consistent.
General Feedback: Ensure that everything is visible in your blogs by browsing in incognito mode. Also, all the lectures need to be embedded and summarized. Make sure blogs are up to date as a lot of the class is falling behind.
REFLECTION
EXPERIENCE:
Week 06: It was quite stressful as I did not manage to figure out a way to implement the cactus grenade after receiving my feedback. It was really frustrating as I could not create a visually appealing layout by the end of the class so was not very satisfied with myself. I enjoyed Mr Vinod's story. It definitely helped motivate me when I was doubting myself.
Week 07: Throughout the course of this week I was just working on getting a key artwork approved and went through multiple changes. In class, I was still finding it difficult to make the amendments necessary in terms of the text in class however afterwards, worked very hard and eventually got to of my layouts approved and I felt very relieved.
OBSERVATIONS:
Week 06: I observed that I am still very slow at working as I did not manage to make the most use of my time in class.
Week 07: I observed that I am still not up to the level of some of my peers in terms of mastering layouts in design.
FINDINGS:
Week 06: Even if you think your idea is good, you will have to go through multiple other ideas to understand if it is the best or not. Trial and error is necessary to pinpoint the one with most potential.
Week 07: Learning all the shortcuts to Photoshop can really effect time management.
FURTHER READING
20 Design Rules You Should Never Break: Mary Stribley
https://www.canva.com/learn/design-rules/
Week 6-7
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| Fig 4.2: 20 Design rules you should never break |
I did not manage to find a book for this week hence I searched online for tips that could come useful for my project 1 and stumbled across this article. Before diving into project 1, I wanted to go back to the basics and refresh my mind on the do's and don'ts of typography. There are 20 different rules in this article such as mentioning about the importance of kerning, keeping contrast high in designs to get the most out of it and having purposeful hierarchy. This is especially relevant during the placements of text in project 1 where we implement hierarchy. This article also touched on the importance of alignment, using grinds and having adequate word spacing. These simple rules really make a difference in design. It also stated to always refer to a brief and understand who you are designing for. In this case, it is for troublemakers manifesto and hence we need to represent that and the design has to speak visually to the people in question.
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