30.3.2021 - 27.4.2021 (Week 1 - Week 5)
Aishath Lene Abdulla Amir (0333185)
Bachelors of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University
Exercise/ Task
LECTURESWeek 1 - Introduction
During the first lecture, we were given an introduction about typography. We were taught that typography in itself, is exceptionally broad and can be presented in many different ways. It is a very useful skill set that can be obtained by not only designers, but also beneficial for people in other fields. Our lecturer also talked about how reading about typography is so important because it can help us gain more knowledge as to have satisfactory progress in this broad subject. We were then, taught how to set up our E-portfolio on blogger. We downloaded the 10 different typefaces that would be used throughout the semester. Then we got an overview of our first task, type expressions, where we are supposed to select 4 words and express them with the use of the 10 different typefaces. For the first week, we only need to make some idea sketches and upload to our blog before week 2.
Week 2 - Development
Our week 2 lecture was about the history and how typography was developed to what it to date. The history of typography only comes from the Western point of view because the main focus was at them. Out lecturer talked about the earliest letterform development from Phoenician to Roman, hand scripts from 3rd to the 10th century C.E. and Black Letter to Gutenberg's type and all the ways in which all these methods were formed from the mediums used to standardization of the hand scripts with the use of punctuation. Then he talked about the different text types, their development and classifications. These developed text types are now the fonts that are used everyday.
Week 3 - Text - Part 1
The week 3 lecture is about the basics of the letter forms. First an introduction was given for out topic. Then we were taught about the baseline, median and x height which are really important when it comes to creating a typeface. I noticed there is a lot to think about when creating a typeface as, once you are able to identify parts of a letterform, it will be easier for you to identify the different typefaces. There are so many terms you need to remember for the different parts of a letterform. He also talked about the small capitals and why they were developed, the use of uppercase and lowercase numerals, romans and italics oblique. bold face, light, condense and extended etc.. The typefaces we were given can fit into any kind of situation, as they are subtle. They have remained in use for decades. It's also very important that when choosing a typeface that the one you choose, presents the message well.
Week 4 - Text - Part 2
This weeks lecture was on the second part of text. First he talked about indicating paragraphs and went into detail about how pilcrow and leading. He also talked about the difference between spacing and leading. Moreover how indentation was created for news papers in order to save space and also that it should alway be justified. Then he explained why widow or orphan should never occur in your design. Widows are ending words of a sentence that ends on a new line and orphans are the last part of the line moves to the next page. Although in some situations widows are pardoned, orphans should never be used. After this he talked about text highlighting, which can be used in italics, bold, color or in a box. The only colors that can be used include cyan, black or magenta. The last part of the lecture was about the three different types of headlines A heads, B heads and C heads. These headlines can be highlighted using italics, bold or using different typefaces.
Week 5 - Understanding Letterforms
On this week's lecture our topic was on letters and understanding letterforms. First he talks about understanding the complexity of the letter forms. One thing is that uppercase letter forms may present in a way that it is completely symmetrical, though they aren't as there aren't, If you inspect this up close, there are slight and specific proportions that aren't symmetrical. Then there is comparing letters of different typefaces, showing us where we can find the different strokes and curves of the letters. We also touched up on maintaining height where x-height is generally represented by the lowercase letters, though the curved letters such as "s" or "o" must rise above the median or sink below the baseline. The lecture also touches up on counterforms where the best way to understand it to examine the letterform in close detail, this will also give you a glimpse of what goes into letter making. Lastly, there is contrast between typefaces, where comparisons are made between typefaces to understand where the contrast occurs .
INSTRUCTIONS
Figure 1. 0 - Module Information Booklet - 30/03/2021
Exercises
Week 1
Type Expressions - Sketch
For the first part of this exercise, we were asked to choose any 4 words from the 6 that were selected from the Facebook poll to express. For this week, we only need to sketch out the ideas that we have for each word. The words that i chose for type expression are point, slice, scream and wave.
Figure 1.1 - Rough sketch/ idea - 31/03/2021
Week 2
Type Expression - Digital
Looking back to the first weeks sketches, I felt that I needed to make some minor changes to my ideas regarding Mr.Vinod's feedback. I tried my best to express the words without distorting the type face too much.
Figure 1.2 - Digitized Type Expressions - 11/04/2021
After Mr. Vinod's feedback I brought little changes to the words "scream" and "punch", as they give more emphasis.
Figure 1.3 - Final Digitized Type Expressions - 13/04/2021
Week 3 Type Expression - Animation
For this exercise first we had to choose the word we wanted to animate from the final digitized type expressions. next i created art board frames on illustrator of the word "punch" for my animated gif.
Figure 1.4 - Frames - 18/04/2021
Then i aligned all my frames in order in photoshop to create the animation. I had to emit a few frames here and there in order to get a good end result
Figure 1.5 - Frames - 18/04/2021
Figure 1.6 - Type Expression Animation - 18/04/2021
Figure 1.7 - Type Expression Animation - 18/04/2021
Task 1 - Final - Type Expression
Figure 1.8 - Type Expression Animation - 18/04/2021
Week 4
Text Formatting
Part 1
a) Kerning and Letter Spacing
Kerning means arranging the space between individual letterforms. Letter spacing or tracking means adjusting the space of many characters evenly.
For this part of the exercise, we used the 10 given type faces to type out our name and adjust the kerning and letter spacing to give a better moew uniform look.
Figure 1.9 - Kerning and Tracking - 23/04/2021
Figure 1.10 - Kerning and Tracking - 23/04/2021
b) Font size, Line length and Leading
Before picking out the font size, line length and leading it is important to know the size of the page, moreover to determine an attractive margins and or the number of columns as well.
When you' ve determined the typeface you want to use, you have to choose the appropriate point zie for the layout as well. After this you need to check if the line length is at the correct amount then check is the leading and the paragraph spacing are at equal points,
Figure 1.11 - Font size, Line length and Leading - 23/04/2021
Figure 1.12 - Font size, Line length and Leading - 23/04/2021
c) Alignment, Paragraph Spacing, Text Fields and Ragging
In this part of the exercise we learned how to align the text. We also had to make the ragged edges of the text look smoother, this doesn't necessarily mean that it needs to be uniform, just so that it doesn't look messy.
Figure 1.13 - Alignment, Paragraph Spacing, Text Fields and Ragging- 23/04/2021
Figure 1.14 - Alignment, Paragraph Spacing, Text Fields and Ragging- 23/04/2021
d) - Cross Alignment and Baseline Grid
For this part of the exercise, we basically have create a layout that will kind of give the text a hierarchy for the viewer for example: first the reader eye will catch the headline then the sub heading then the text all the way to graphical elements. We were taught how to enable baseline grid and align you text and your headings accordingly.
Figure 1.15 - Cross Alignment and Baseline Grid - 23/04/2021
Figure 1.16 - Cross Alignment and Baseline Grid - 23/04/2021
Part 1 - Text Formatting
Figure 1.17 - Text Formatting - 23/04/2021
Part 2
On this part of the exercise we have to use everything from part 1 of the exercise and put it all into one text. Below is my first attempt on this exercise.
Figure 1.18 - Text Formatting - 23/04/2021
After receiving feedback from my peers I attempted the exercise again.
Figure 1.19 - Text Formatting - 27/04/2021
Part 2 - Text Formatting
Figure 1.20 - Text Formatting - 27/04/2021
FEEDBACK
Week 1
Specific feedback: I asked Mr. Vinod if I had to write both 1st and 2nd weeks reflection together and he advised that it had to be separate.
General feedback: Mr. Vinod specified that the pictures taken before uploading should be either scanned or taken in natural sunlight. He also mentioned, if possible to illustrate one of the words.
Week 2
Specific feedback: I asked Mr. Vinod if I had to upload all the idea sketches separately for each word and he specified that it would save more space if I put it all together in one picture. But also to be sure that the picture is clear and taken in natural light.
General feedback: Not to put too much distortion to the letter, only very minimal when designing for type expression.
Week 3
Specific feedback: I showed Mr. Vinod my final digitized words and he advised that I could be taking more risks, instead of playing too safe.
General feedback: To make sure that when making the frames for the gifs, that in the end they are aligned properly and the run smooth at the end.
Week 4
Specific feedback: After evaluating my e-portfolio, Mr. Vinod advised that for my animated gif, I could delay a while before it starts again.
General feedback: Mr. Vinod and Mr. Shamsul suggested that everyone should listen to their directions while making the e-portfolio.
Week 5
Specific feedback: When I showed my work to my peers overall their comments were positive. Some adjustments that I needed to make are, to emit the widows and orphans on my exercise and to smoothen the ragging.
General feedback: Some general feedback we got from Mr.Vinod was to check if the headline was too big, because if you already differentiated the headline, there is no use to add other layers to it. And also to come up with new layout but overall to keep it look simple, and not too much.
REFLECTION
Experience
First few weeks were a little difficult for me, as all of this is fairly new. I had a hard time coming up with ideas for sketches. With the introduction to adobe illustrator and photoshop, it is much easier when you learn the shortcut keys to these apps. It makes you more efficient though it took me a few tries to get the basics down. I noticed that its very difficult to come up with a good layout for the last part of this task. I feel a little scared to do something different because I might lose marks if i get it too wrong.
Observation
I noticed that every week the lectures were followed by exercises for that week. It is always very important that we update our blog every week after our exercises. After every exercise, either one of our lecturers or students, would evaluate our work, so that we get some feedback for further improvements. It is important to observe during the class time as well as demo videos, because you might miss something that is important, Or you might misinterpret something from the demo videos that you can later clarify during class.
Findings
I found that it takes me a really long time to think of ideas and when I have an idea that might work, it takes me an even longer time to put it into paper to sketch it out. Throughout the weeks I noticed that it always helped me to do some research, whether it be reading or visual research. Though the best outcome I get, it is always after the feedback I get from my peers and asking questions if I am having any doubts about what I'm doing .
FURTHER READING
Figure 1.21 - Research - 31/03/2021
Source : http://artnaos.net/eclass/Typography/ExpressiveType.html
In this reading I learned what type expression is. Moreover, there is no specific style associated with this to type. I also learned the different ways to create expressive typography.
Figure 1.22 - Research - 08/04/2021
Source: https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2012/04/when-typography-speaks-louder-than-words/
In this reading shows that, it is important to know which direction to choose when choosing a typeface/type family. It is to make sure that you choose the right one that can give out the right message.
Figure 1.23 - Research - 16/04/2021
Source: https://www.creativebloq.com/typography/what-is-typography-123652
In this article i learned that designing is more than just making words legible. The type face you choose can make a difference between good and bad designs. There are so many things that need to be taken into consideration while selecting a typeface.
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