ADVANCED TYPOGRAPHY - EXERCISES

02/04/19-  (Week 1)
Dk Nur Reem Rashah Pg Mohammad Apri (0336605)
Advanced Typography
Exercises
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LECTURE NOTES:

Lecture 1: Introduction to Advanced Typography + Module Briefing
(02/04/19) Week 1

Firstly, we were introduced to the module through a briefing where we go through the Module Information Booklet (MIB). Compared to our previous Typography module, Mr. Vinod informed us that we would be conducting lectures instead. This will be done by groups with certain topics assigned to each allocated group.

From the lecture, we were introduced to the idea of subjectivity within design. As designers, we are taught to analyse, evaluate and synthesis design and incorporate this in our own design process. Moreover, the idea of intimacy within design was brought up as we discuss a certain concept; 'Typosexual'. Mr Vinod mentioned that it is important to consider a conceptual and literal approach to our works. He also mentioned that including intellectual appeal and a shock factor within our design can help us make a memorable message. Other than that, originality was also stated to be important and this can be achieved by going back to our roots which provides individuality.

Lecture 2: Typographic systems
(09/04/19)  Week 2

From this lecture, we were allocated into groups to present the 8 different typographic systems; axial, radial, dilatational, random, grid, modular, transitional, and bilateral. Each system has their own traits. 

• Axial - Dividing elements by an axis.
• Radial - A central focal point where content radiates out.
• Dilatational - Circular paths where text forms curves around a point instead of radiating 0ut.
• Random - Content and text presented randomly
• Grid - Using grid layouts.
• Modular - Content organised through repeated shapes (squares, circles, etc.)
• Transitional - Free form 'sediment' lines that transitions text 'naturally'.
• Bilateral - Content and text centred and symmetrical.

Presentations slides:

Lecture 3: -

(16/04/19)  Week 3

There was no lecture for this week as we continued on finishing our layouts based on the 8 typographic systems. 
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INSTRUCTIONS:

Update in MIB content:

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EXERCISES

Exercise 1: Typographic Systems & Finding Type, Type and Play
Week 1 

For the first exercise, we were instructed to design layouts based on the 8 different typographic systems; axial, radial, dilatational, bilateral, random, modular, grid and transitional. 

These will be done with minimal graphical elements as well as a limited colour scheme where we can only use black and one other colour.

The text below will be the content that will be used to present within our layout design:

'The Design School,
Taylors University

The Troublemakers Manifesto: A Design Colloquium 

Open Public Lectures:

November 24, 2019 
Lew Pik Svonn, 9AM - 10AM
Ezrena Mohd., 10AM - 11AM
Suzy Sulaiman, 11AM - 12PM

November 25, 2019 
Dr. Clarissa Ai Ling Li, 9AM - 10AM
Professor John Sabraw, 10AM - 11AM

Dr. Liyanna Khairuddin, 11AM - 12PM

Lecture Theatre 12'

In addition, we were instructed to design two layouts for each typographic system.

Fig 1.0 Initial composition for 'Axis'

Fig 1.1 Initial composition for 'Radial'

Fig 1.3 Initial composition for 'Dilatational'

Fig 1.4 Initial composition for 'Grid'

Fig 1.5 Initial composition for 'Random'

Fig 1.6 Initial composition for 'Bilateral'

Fig 1.7 Initial composition for 'Modular'

Fig 1.8 Initial composition for 'Transitional'

After receiving feedback, revisions were made in order for me to progress to my final composition. 

Final composition:

Fig 1.9 Final composition for 'Axial'

Fig 2.0 Final composition for 'Radial'

Fig 2.1 Final composition for 'Dilatational'

Fig 2.2 Final composition for 'Grid'

Fig 2.3 Final composition for 'Random'

Fig 2.4 Final composition for 'Bilateral'

Fig 2.5 Final composition for 'Modular'

Fig 2.6 Final composition for 'Transitional'

Exercise 2: Type & Play - Finding type
Week 3 

For the second part of this type & play exercise, we were instructed to find an image between man-made objects, structures or nature. With the chosen image, we had to trace the outlines of the subjects within the image and derive letterforms from it. 

I decided to choose a picture that was taken by my group during intercultural design last short semester. This is a close-up on the intricate designs of a Taoist temple's rooftop. Personally, I thought it would be interesting to derive letterforms from these designs.

Fig 2.7 Chosen image

Fig 2.8 Process of tracing image 

Fig 2.9 Process of tracing image 

Fig 3.0 Attempt on full alphabet 

Fig 3.1 Letter A

Fig 3.2 Letter J

Fig 3.3 Letter P

Fig 3.4 Letter Y

Fig 3.5 Letter V

Fig 3.6 Compilation of final letterforms

Exercise 3: Type & Play - Part 2

For this exercise, we were instructed to do choose an image to express using type in aims to combine a piece of text with the chosen image. The main objective is to enhance the interplay between the text in relation to the image. 

Fig 3.7 Draft

Fig 3.8 (Progress)

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FEEDBACK:

Week 2:

General Feedback: In response to our presentations, Mr. Vinod gave us feedback in terms of presentation skills; to manage eye contact to ensure that your presentation is engaging, support your statements with visual evidence on the slides, ensure to have address/introduce the group members involved in the presentation during the introduction.

Specific Feedback: Mr Vinod advised that I shouldn't prioritised on a colour scheme first. One of the ways that I can make sure I get a good layout design is to use black and white first and then finalise the form, afterwards I can think of injecting colour into my layout design.

Week 3:

General Feedback: Mr. Vinod advised us to use the leading and spacing techniques we learnt from last semester to help us with our designs.

Specific Feedback: Mr Shamsul said to me that I need to re-do my modular design because it needs to be more organised.

Week 4:

Specific feedback: Mr Vinod told me not let graphical elements overpower my design. I was also told to change one of my bilateral design as it was not symmetrical. Moreover, I needed to change the lines of the graphic elements to 0.5 -1 pt. Other than that, I need to update my blog.

Week 5:

General feedback: Mr. Vinod advised us that it would be helpful to us iof we referred to an existing typeface when we start to refine our letterforms. For the poster exercise, Mr. Vinod told us that we should try to express the image through type by thinking of a phrase or words that resonate with our chosen image.

Specific feedback: Both Mr. Vinod and Mr. Shamsul told me to change the words that I use in my poster in order to help me increase my type expression within the poster.

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REFLECTIONS:

Week 1: 

During the first week, lots of information was delivered in terms of the module content and the upcoming assignments. Other than that, Mr Vinod's lecture about originality and how it has a correlation to one's culture gave an incredible amount of insight. Personally, the notion that western influence was becoming too overpowering in the design world was not that noticeable. Now that I reflected on Mr. Vinod's words, I realise that going back to our roots can be very helpful towards providing design inspirations and improving our designs. 

Week 2:

The second week was quite overwhelming in terms of designing the 8 different layouts as I was still unsure about what really defines each of the typographic systems and how to visually represent each one of them. Because of this, I noticed that I was very hesitant towards my designs and it really shows as I was using very little amount of expression within my work.

Week 3:

This week I felt very anxious towards receiving feedback for my work as I knew that I was very uncertain about my designs so far. I was specifically not certain about my design on modular and radial typographic systems.

Week 4:

I noticed that once I revised my first draft, I made little changes as I was very unsure of how I should express these systems as I felt very restricted due to the rules of the assignment where we should not rely on graphical elements as well a limited colour scheme.

Week 5:

For this week, I felt less overwhelmed with the exercise given as I felt that it was an interesting exercise to do. I was looking forward to using one of the images that my group took in Kuching during the Intercultural Design trip. Although I am not from Kuching, I wanted to implement my design based on the cultures found near us.

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OBSERVATIONS:

Week 1: 
During the first week, I perceived that most of us in class looking forward to what the module has to offer for this semester compared to the last Typography module.

Week 2: 
For this second week, I noticed that most of us were interacting a lot in terms of asking each other questions and having discussions after each group's presentation. A lot of insight was given from each person who provided their perspectives.

Week 3: 
This week, I noticed that there are other people who were also uncertain about modular as a typographic system. Hence, there was a lot of interaction happening as we relied on each other for information and inspiration.

Week 4: 
I observed that most people did include a certain amount of graphical elements and was able to express their layouts in a creative way. 

Week 5: 
For this fifth week, I perceived that a lot of us was able to come up with interesting outcomes for this exercise. It was very interesting to see how different and unique each outcome was due to the different sources used.
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FINDINGS:

Week 1: 
I found myself feeling quite anxious towards how I will perform for this module when we discuss about the module content and the upcoming assignments. 

Week 2: 
For the second week, I found that when I attempted to create my designs, I was very reluctant to do an expressive piece and ended up doing very simple designs as I was uncertain about how to execute the layouts.

Week 3: 
I was very worried about my designs for this exercise and found that it was starting to create a creative block for me to progress with the exercise.


Week 4: 
I realised my revised version were very similar to the first draft and I was very uncertain on how to make more changes.


Week 5: 
While doing this exercise, I found that I was quite enjoyed finding and creating letterforms from an image as the outcomes were very unexpected.
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FURTHER READING:

'Texts on Type' by Philip B. Meggs and Steven Heller (2001)

Synopsis:

'Texts on Type' is an anthology of essays written to inform designers about type designs created within the 21st century and addressing certain design characteristics found that starts to reflect this contemporary world. Hence, this book does touch upon topics like history - how and what type design have evolved to, as well as the aesthetic values that current type design carries.

'An A-Z of Type Designers' by Neil Macmillan (2005)

Synopsis:
'An A-Z of Type Designers' contains a range of visual samples of type designers' work that is alphabetically arranged from A-Z. This book provides a large amount of references for design inspiration.