Exercises

August 25, 2019

Exercises

26 Aug 2019 - 23 Sept 2019(week 01-week 05)
Soo Wen Yi (0334653)
Advanced Typography _ Exercises

LECTURES_

Lecture 01 _
26 Aug 2019 (week 01)
Today we were welcomed back for this semester by Mr Vinod and Mr Shamsul again, we were briefed about our upcoming weeks and the exercise that we'll be starting with. And since the few upcoming Mondays will be public holidays, Mr Vinod decided to let us do the lecture today. We were separated into 4 groups and each group to present 2 of the given typographic system. Our group had grid and modular system, here's the compiled slides:

No lecture
Week 02

No lecture
Week 03
No lecture
Week 04

INSTRUCTIONS_

EXERCISES_

Week 01
Exercise 01

For our first exercise we are required to do 2 layouts for each of the 8 typographic systems so we will end up with a total of 16 facing pages of 200mm x 200mm art board in Adobe InDesign. We can use minimal non-objective elements and one colour (excluding black, white and greys that are created by the transparent layers. And this is the passage that we have to use:

The Design School,
Taylor’s University
All ripped up: Punk Influences on Design
or
The ABCs of: The Bauhaus and Design Theory

Open Public Lectures:

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

November 25, 2019
Muthu Neduraman, 9AM-10AM
Fahmi Reza, 10AM-11AM
Fahmi Fadzil, 11AM-12PM

Lecture Theatre 12

I chose the title "All ripped up: Punk Influences on Design" and started with sketching down the thumbnails.


Fig. 1.1: Axial system sketches

Fig. 1.2: Radial system sketches

Fig. 1.3: Dilatational system sketches

Fig. 1.4: Random system sketches

Fig. 1.5: Grid system sketches

Fig. 1.6: Modular system sketches

Fig. 1.7: Transitional system sketches

Fig. 1.8: Bilateral system sketches

After the sketches were done, I moved onto digitising the sketches on InDesign. I decided not to add any colour or nonobjective elements first until all the designs are approved and finalised.

Fig. 1.9: Axial system spread

Fig. 1.10: Radial system spread

Fig. 1.11: Dilatational system spread

Fig. 1.12: Random system spread

Fig. 1.13: Grid system spread

Fig. 1.14: Modular system spread

Fig. 1.15: Transitional system spread

Fig. 1.16: Bilateral system spread

Week 02
Continue exercise 01
After getting feedback in class this are the improved spreads.

Fig. 1.17: Axial system spread improved

Fig. 1.18: Radial system spread improved

Fig. 1.19: Dilatational system spread improved

Fig.1.20: Random system spread improved

Fig. 1.21: Grid system spread improved

Fig. 1.22: Modular system spread improved

Fig. 1.23: Transitional system spread improved

Fig. 1.24: Bilateral system spread improved

After asking Mr Vinod for feedback on the improved spreads, he commented on the bilateral system spread's non objective elements are too strong.

Fig. 1.25: feedback from Mr Vinod

So I removed and changed it to this.

Fig. 1.26: Bilateral system spread improved 2.0

Here's the final version of the spreads.

Fig. 1.27: Axial system spread final

Fig. 1.28: Radial system spread final

Fig. 1.29: Dilatational system spread final

Fig. 1.30: Random system spread final

Fig. 1.31: Grid system spread final

Fig. 1.32: Modular system spread final

Fig. 1.33: Transitional system spread final

Fig. 1.34: Bilateral system spread final

Here's the PDF version of exercise 1.

Exercise 02 pt 1
Moving on after the feedback given in class, we were briefed about the next exercise: Type &Play part 1. After thinking where I want to dissect and extract the type from, I've chose cracks and shattered glass. I ended up choosing a shattered glass as it has more details.

Fig. 2.1: cracked ground

Fig. 2.2: shattered glass 1

Fig. 2.3: shattered glass 2

I chose Fig. 2.3 as my image to dissect, first I zoomed in and cropped out the outside as there was too much lines for me to dissect.

Fig. 2.4: B&W version and cropped of the shattered glass image

Fig. 2.5: process of finishing dissecting

Fig. 2.6: dissected shattered glass vector

Fig. 2.7: letter "A"

Fig. 2.8: letter "A"

Fig. 2.9: letter "B"

Fig. 2.10: letter "B"

Fig. 2.11: letter "F"

Fig. 2.12: letter "F"

Fig. 2.13: letter "G"

Fig. 2.14: letter "G"

Fig. 2.15: letter "H"

Fig. 2.16: letter "H"

After extracting the 5 letters I searched for a typeface to refer to. I chose Universe LT Std,

Fig. 2.17: screen grab of process

Fig. 2.18: I used mesh to warp the extracted letters with the reference of the Universe LT Std letters

Here is the first refined letters.

Fig. 2.19: first refined letter "A"

Fig. 2.20: first refined letter "B"

Fig. 2.21: first refined letter "F"

Fig. 2.22: first refined letter "G"

Fig. 2.23: first refined letter "H"

Here is a comparison between the extracted letters and first refined letters.

Fig. 2.24: 1st row - extracted letters, 2nd row - first refined letters

After this I wanted to make the letters seem more cohesive by making them about the same width.

Fig. 2.25: second refined letter "A"

Fig. 2.26: second refined letter "B"

Fig. 2.27: second refined letter "F"

Fig. 2.28: second refined letter "G"

Fig. 2.29: second refined letter "H"

Here's a comparison between the first and second refined letters.

Fig. 2.30: 1st row - first refined letters, 2nd row - second refined letters

Week 03
Continue exercise 02 pt 1
After getting feedback in class, I tried to do another extract from the same image according to my understanding of what Mr Vinod said for the rest of the remaining time in class.

Fig. 2.31: tracing of second extract

Fig. 2.32: second extract "A"

Fig. 2.33: second extract "B"

Fig. 2.34: second extract "F"

Fig. 2.35: second extract "G"

Fig. 2.36: second extract "H"

I then showed Mr Vinod when I finished the second extract at the end of the class and I got my feedback again. After a while he said to forget my second extracts and showed me an example with my original second refined "H".

Fig. 2.37: example of letter "H" by Mr Vinod

After that I spent the rest of the day refining the letters based on the example he made and the feedback he gave.

Fig. 2.38: third refined letter "A"

Fig. 2.39: third refined letter "B"

Fig. 2.40: third refined letter "F"

Fig. 2.41: third refined letter "G"

Fig. 2.42: third refined letter "H"

I decided to do further refine the letters, this time by make the letters more like fragments.

Fig. 2.43: fourth refined letter "A"

Fig. 2.44: fourth refined letter "B"

Fig. 2.45: fourth refined letter "F"

Fig. 2.46: fourth refined letter "G"

Fig. 2.47: fourth refined letter "H"

I asked Mr Vinod for feedback on the refinement that I did, then i gave some thought into it and looked at the example he posted on Facebook again and I decide to use my third refined letters to continue refining.

Fig. 2.48: fifth refined letter "A"

Fig. 2.49: fifth refined letter "B"

Fig. 2.50: fifth refined letter "F"

Fig. 2.51: fifth refined letter "G"

Fig. 2.52: fifth refined letter "H"

Here's the comparison between the third and fifth refined letters.

Fig. 2.53: 1st row - third refined letters, 2nd row - fifth refined letters

Further refinement again by reducing the edges and angles.

Fig. 2.54: sixth refined letter "A"

Fig. 2.55: sixth refined letter "B"

Fig. 2.56: sixth refined letter "F"

Fig. 2.57: sixth refined letter "G"

Fig. 2.58: sixth refined letter "H"

Here's a comparison between the fifth and sixth refined letters.

Fig. 2.59: 1st row - fifth refined letters, 2nd row - sixth refined letters

For further refining again I reduced all the edges on the outside of the letters.

Fig. 2.60: final refined letter "A"

Fig. 2.61: final refined letter "B"

Fig. 2.62: final refined letter "F"

Fig. 2.63: final refined letter "G"

Fig. 2.64: final refined letter "H"

Here's a comparison between the sixth and final refined letters.

Fig. 2.65: 1st row - sixth refined letters, 2nd row - final refined letters

Fig. 2.66: screenshot of every stage of refinement

Fig. 2.67: 1st row - extracted letters, 2nd row - final refined letters

The final refined letters are based off of Univers LT Std, 47 Light Condensed. Here's the pdf version of exercise 2 part 1.

Exercise 2 pt 2
We were also briefed for the second part of exercise 2. For this we are to choose an image and place a headline in the image. We have to understand the energy/movement in the image, and create the relationship/intimacy between the text and the image. I started by looking for examples from movie posters.

Fig. 3.1: movie poster examples

So I went on https://pixabay.com to search for stock images, this is the first one that I chose.


Fig. 3.2: stock image from https://pixabay.com/photos/people-man-singing-singer-rock-2569551/

I choose the line "scream your heart out" for this image.

Fig. 3.3: I feathered out of line to not have such a harsh line between the finger and the text

Fig. 3.4: I also feathered out all of the texts

After that the texts "your heart" is not really noticeable since the background is a white spotlight, i decided to put a gradient on the texts and this is the first outcome.

Fig.3.5: first attempt

After getting the feedback I chose another image to work with from the same stock image website.

Fig. 3.6: stock image from https://pixabay.com/photos/water-underwater-nightmare-air-2725337/

I used the line "take a deep breath" for this.

Fig. 3.7: screenshot of process

Fig. 3.8: screenshot of process

It looks better when the text is a bit more transparent, so I changed the blending mode to overlay as seen in Fig. 3.8. In order to make it appear to be more in water I warped the texts.

Fig. 3.9: screenshot of process

After getting feedback from Mr Vinod, I tried to refine it further.

Fig. 3.10: screenshot of process

I didn't really like how it came out so I changed the composition of the texts.

Fig. 3.11: screenshot of process

Fig. 3.12: draft 1

The word "breath" needed more emphasis so I duplicated the layer with the same blending mode and turn the opacity down to 50%.

Fig. 3.13: draft 2

After getting the feedback from Mr Vinod, I removed the "deep" and I also blurred out the part where the E and T is cut off from the sides of the face so it looks nicer.

Fig. 3.14: screenshot of process

Fig. 3.13: final outcome

FEEDBACK_

Week 02
General feedback
We should add an outline to the spread so its visible against the background of the blog, Mr Vinod reminded us about the modular system again and that the body text should be 8 - 12 pts for printing.

Specific feedback
1st Axial "Open Public Lectures:" is too close to the body text and the font size is a bit too big. I had sized up the dates and made them bold, but Mr Vinod said that if its already bold don't need to size it up. 1st random there's too much surrounding space, need to fix it. I did both modular system in an unregimented layout, Mr Vinod said its fine but he would advice me to change it and use a ragimented layout. Need more work on both bilateral system. Other than that, the others are all fine. After improving the layouts, I asked Mr Vinod on facebook for feedback this is what is given: "Non objective element here is too strong. I hope you are focusing on the second exercise. That’s requires a lot of focus."

Week 03
General feedback
For exercise 2 pt.1 refer to existing typeface to help and head towards what we want to achieve. Mr Vinod mentioned that the level of effort will reflect the marks/if there's no challenge, there's no growth, but also don't chase grades, chase learning.

Specific feedback
during first feedback Mr Vinod said to retained the shapes aspects (sharp corners/angles) and explore by looking at the overall shape with cracks in between rather than just looking at the crack lines. After showing Mr Vinod my second extract, he said it is something like that but not quite. As he went on to explaining, I understood what he wanted. Make sure the lines are varied in thickness (refer to the original image) and containing some fragments but don't add too many. After asking Mr Vinod on facebook for feedback on the third refined letters, this is the given feedback "It's looking good. What do you think? Could it get better?" I also asked Mr Vinod about my first attempt on exercise 2 pt 2 this is the feedback "Portrait. I think it needs more work. The intimacy of type and image (as seen in examples given) isn’t up to the mark yet. Keep at it."

Week 04
Specific feedback
(Exercise 2 pt 1)After I added the white spaces to make the letters look more cracked, I asked Mr Vinod on facebook for feedback and this is what I got: "What do you think? I think the bottom one has become to fragmented. I also think, you can use the time to refine it some more, and in doing so you might loose a lot of the intricacies... however if you retain the core features, you may just be able to retain the cracked glass. Now you will understand what I mean if you take a look again at the example I uploaded to the FB group. You will notice towards the end... last two cycles there is a dramatic shift only one element was left of the basket... in the type created. Do you have the reference of your typeface that you are heading to? Now of course this is up to you... you can choose to stop here... and it’ll be fine, or you can try what I am suggesting... but it may not work... or it could... it’s taking a chance... So, if you do take a chance and refine it Further... think of it this way, look at the typeface and see what core element you can take from the font you have refined, and inject it into a univers like type... this will help you determine refining direction." After refining the letters and I asked Mr Vinod on facebook again "Good." then I asked if I need to refine it further he answered "At this point I’ll leave up to your good judgement."

(Exercise 2 pt 2)After I've chosen another image to do, I asked Mr Vinod for feedback on facebook. "It’s ok, but I think it could be larger (text) and therefore hopefully the interactivity would be more pronounced." After showing Mr Vinod my second draft this is the feedback I got: "It’s take a deep breath. Maybe you should drop the deep word. Take a breath is acceptable grammatically, whereas “take a breath deep” isn’t.

REFLECTION_

EXPERIENCES

Week 01

It was as expected that we would start to carry out our exercises even though it was the first class. But the unexpected thing was when Mr Vinod told us to do a group presentation on the first day of class.

Week 02
Even though it was a public holiday, most of us came to class. The class was short and straight to the point which is reviewing our exercise 1 and briefing exercise 2. It took me quite some time to trace the shattered glass, it was very tedious to trace all of the lines.

Week 03
Another public holiday spent in the class and the rest of the day on refining the letters. I spent the whole class doing the second extract which I didn't need to use. But its fine since I also understood what Mr Vinod wanted and didn't scrap my original refined letters.

Week 04
This week we didn't have class, so all the feedback asked and given on facebook which I'm thankful because it kept motivating me to asking for more feedback and keep on refining my exercises.

OBSERVATIONS

Week 01

We were not panicking as much after being told about the group presentation, I was a bit confused about some of the typographic system after the presentation.

Week 02
Feedback for exercise 1 was given and exercise 2 was quickly briefed.

Week 03
Feedback at the end of the class was given to me clearly.

Week 04
I was constantly switching to work between exercise 2 part 1 and 2.

FINDINGS

Week 01

I think it was because we were used to the work pace and get to working on the presentation straight away. After the class I went to the library and found the book that was used in class, slowly reading that cleared my confusion.

Week 02
It was important to balance my time for finish exercise 1 with the given feedback and start exercise 2 at the same time.

Week 03
Because I understood the feedback, I had the motivation and went to continue on refining the letters right after having lunch.

Week 04
I was better at focusing at one exercise at a time, so if I get feedback for exercise 2 part 1 I will work on that right away. And if I'm waiting for exercise 2 part 1 feedback, I'll switch to work on part 2.

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