Advanced Typography / Task 1: Typographic Systems and Type & Play

28.03.2022 - 18.03.2022 (Week 1 - Week 4)
Angelyn Valencia / 0349573
Advanced Typography / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Task 1: Typographic Systems and Type & Play

LECTURES

Lecture 1: Typographic Systems

"All design is based on a structural system" with eight major variations with an infinite number of permutations. These eight are as follows :

Axial
Radial
Dilatational
Random
Grid
Modular
Transitional
Bilateral

Typographical organization is complex because the elements are dependent on communication in order to function. The typographic systems are akin to what architects term shape grammars. The typographic systems are similar in that the systems have a set of rules that is unique and provides a sense of purpose that focuses and directs the decision making, according to Elam, 2007.

1. Axial System
All elements are organized to the left or right of a single axis.

Figure 1.1 Axial System

2. Radial System
All elements are extended from a point of focus.

Figure 1.2 Radial System

3. Dilatational System
All elements expand from a central point in a circular fashion
Has hierarchy, or differentiate the info to different clubs.

Figure 1.3 Dilatational System

4. Random System
Appears to have no specific pattern or relationship.

Figure 1.4 Random System

5. Grid System
System of vertical and horizontal divisions.

Figure 1.5 Grid System

6. Transitional System
an informal system of layered banding
Corporating the type size and colors to make it interesting and create a hierarchy.

Figure 1.6 Transitional System

7. Modular System
A series of non-objective elements that are constructed as a standardized unit.

Figure 1.7 Modular System

8. Bilateral System
All text is arranged symmetrically on a single axis.

Figure 1.9 Bilateral System

Lecture 2 : Typographic Composition

Principles of Design Composition
When we think of composition, we think of the dominant principles that underlie design composition. But this abstract idea seems ambiguous when it comes to translating it into a typographic layout or composition. They seem to be more relevant to the image than complex units of information made up of different elements.

Figure 1.10 Example of Emphasis in Typographic Composition

Rule of thirds is photographic guide to composition. It suggest that a frame can be divided into 3 columns and 3 rows. The intersecting lines are used as guide to place the points of interest within the given space. Realistically no one would ever use the rule of thirds when there are other more favorable options.

Figure 1.15 Example of Rule of Thirds in Typographic Composition

Typographic Systems

From the 8 systems the most efficient and the most used system is the Grid System, which is derived from the grided compositional structure of Letter Press printing. It was further enhanced by what is now come to be termed as the Swiss (Modernist) style of Typography, with its foremost proponents being Josef Muller Brockmann, jan Tschichold, Max Bill and such.

Figure 1.16 Grid System "How to"

While the Grid System may seem old, the versatility of the system and its modular nature tends to allow for an infinite number of adaptations. This is why it continues to remain popular. As a reaction to the highly ordered approach of Typography in this modernist era, a group of young designers began to question and challenge this idea of order. Thus was born the post-modernist era in which chaos, randomness and asymmetry were explored. Order was replaced with apparent chaos but it was exciting and 'new' for a generation that was being exposed to Punk anti-establishment thought and music. As such the asymmetry, random, repetition, dilatational and radial systems began to take root in the lexicon of designer.

Figure 1.17 Example of Post Modern Typography (Left to Right: Paula Scher, Jonathan Barnbrook and David Carson)

Other Models / Systems
Environmental Grid

It is based on the exploration of an existing structure or numerous structures combined. An extraction of crucial lines both curved and straight are formed. It is an interesting manner of exploration and provides context to the forms developed in the designs—context because of the fact that the system were developed around key features of an environment associated to the communicators of the message.

Figure 1.18 Example of Environmental Grid by Brenda McManuus

Form and Movement

It is based on the exploration of the existing Grid System. Mr. Vinod developed this system to get students to explore; many if the options the grid offers; to remove the seriousness surrounding the implementation of a grid system; and view the changing pages in the book as slowed down animations in shapes that represent the placement of images, text, and colors. Placement of a form on a page, across multiple pages creates movement. Whether the page is paper or screen is irrelevant.

Figure 1.19 Examples of Form and Movement System

INSTRUCTIONS

TASK

Task 1: Typographic System

For our first exercise, we were assigned to create typographic layouts based on 9 typographical systems which are Axial, Bilateral, Dilatational, Grid, Modular, Radial, Random, and Transitional.

Sketches

Fig. 2.1 Sketches, Week 1 (4/4/22)

Design Progress and Attempts

1. Axial

Fig 2.2 Axial Progress

Fig. 2.3 Axial Attempt 1 & 2

At first, I adjusted the grids and guidelines for my axial system. I then aligned the texts into a single axis. In my attempts, I played around with the composition and arrangement of the texts.

2. Bilateral

Fig. 2.4 Bilateral Attempt 1

On my first attempt of Bilateral, my understanding of this system was still very much wrong. I thought as long as I make it symmetrical, it counts as Bilateral. But then I learned that it has to be placed on a single axis too. So I made my second attempt of Bilateral.

Fig. 2.5 Bilateral Attempt 2

3. Dilatational

Fig. 2.6 Dilatational Attempt 1

At first, I couldn't really understand the difference between Radial and Dilatational since both systems look identical at first glance. But as I look at it more and understand the explanation of each system, I got it eventually. Though, I had some struggles with arranging the texts and so I even had to use a tiny graphical element to fix the composition.

Fig. 2.7 Dilatational Attempt 2

On my Dilatational second attempt, I experimented more on the shapes on and I had already got the hang of adjusting the circle paths. In this attempt I try not to use any graphical elements at all.

4. Grid

Fig. 2.8 Grid Progress

As for the grid system, I didn't really have any problems understanding the concept. After creating the guidelines and making a 3 x 3 grid, I played around with the composition, as well as tracking the texts.

Fig. 2.9 Grid Attempt

5. Modular

Fig. 2.10 Modular Attempt 1

I got the idea of Modular System pretty quickly so I I adjusted the grids and guidelines and made a few attempts at it as can be seen in figure 2.9 and 2.10.

Fig. 2.11 Modular Attempt 2

6. Radial

Fig. 2.12 Radial Progress

As seen in Figure 2.12, I was trying out some compositions and I struggled so hard with this particular system. I do understand the system but it was very challenging to make one that doesn't already exist.

Fig. 2.13 Radial Attempt 1 & 2

I ended up with these two attempts for the Radial system.

7. Random

Fig. 2.14 Random Progress

As for the Random system, this was the one system that took so much time. But I actually had the most fun doing this system since it gives me the freedom to not follow grids and guidelines and to use several types of typefaces.

Fig. 2.15 Random Attempt

8. Transitional

Fig. 2.16 Transitional Progress

I had the biggest problem understanding this particular system, but eventually, with a lot of additional research, I understood the idea of it and tried to make one. I arranged the texts so it has a flow and that they're somehow connected and transitioned from one to another.

Fig. 2.17 Transitional Attempt

Final Submission

Fig. 2.18 Final Axial System - JPEG, Week 2 (11/4/22)

Fig. 2.19 Final Bilateral System - JPEG, Week 2 (11/4/22)

Fig. 2.20 Final Dilatational System - JPEG, Week 2 (11/4/22)

Fig. 2.21 Final Grid System - JPEG, Week 2 (11/4/22)

Fig. 2.22 Final Modular System - JPEG, Week 2 (11/4/22)

Fig. 2.23 Final Radial System - JPEG, Week 2 (11/4/22)

Fig. 2.24 Final Random System - JPEG, Week 2 (11/4/22)

Fig. 2.25 Final Transitional System - JPEG, Week 2 (11/4/22)

Fig. 2.26 Typographic Systems Final - PDF, Week 2 (11/4/22)

Fig. 2.27 Typographic Systems Final with Grids and Guides - PDF, Week 2 (11/4/22)

Task 2 Part 1: Type and Play

In this particular task, we were assigned to create a typeface from an image.

Fig. 2.28 Original Image

Fig. 2.29 Extraction

In this exercise, I decided to use a picture of cracked concrete that I took the other day. I extracted 9 letters from it, which are A, E, K, R, X, Y, U, H, M. But I decided to use 4 letters which are M, K, Y, and A.

Fig. 2.30 Extraction Results

Fig. 2.31 Refining process

Fig. 2.32 Refining process

Fig. 2.33 Typeface Reference

Fig. 2.34 Refined Typeface

In this particular process, I decided to add some "cracks" in the counterspaces of the letters to give more essence of "cracked". After the feedback session, I decided to not slant any parts since it causes too many in consistencies.

Fig. 2.35 Final Refined Typeface JPEG

Fig. 2.35 Final Refined Typeface PDF

Task 2 Part 2: Type and Image

In this particular task, we were assigned to combine a visual with a letter/word/sentence of our choosing. The objective is to enhance/support the interplay between the letter/word/sentence and the selected visual. The text must be woven into a symbiotic relationship with the image.

Fig. 2.36 Original Picture of first trial

I use the typeface Futura Std Bold for this particular image. I decided to type out "Nostalgic Thoughts" because in the picture, the subject is looking back through the rear-view mirror as if it's looking to the past and feeling the nostalgia of the thoughts. What I did first was converting the text into a smart object.

Fig. 2.37 Progress

Then I added motion blur and liquified the text as well as duplicating the layers twice. On the most top layer, I added gradient overlay and also satin to create the effect i wanted to achieve.

Fig. 2.38 Trial 1 (24/04/22)

On the feedback session, Mr. Vinod said it was already good, but I wanted to try another picture so I did my second trial with a picture of an eye.

Fig. 2.39 Original Picture of second trial

Fig. 2.40 First attempt of second trial

Fig. 2.41 Trial 2 (24/04/22)

So then I did the second trial of this task with the same technique but adding texture/grain at the end to blend with the original image. But looking back at the first one, I decided I like the second one better.

Final Submission

Fig. 2.42 Final Outcome of Type & Image in JPEG (25/04/22)

Fig. 2.42 Final Outcome of Type & Image in PDF (25/04/22)

FEEDBACK

Week 2

General Feedback:

Do not use a lot of graphical elements as it takes away the focus from the typography.

When using capital letters or numbers in body text decrease size by 0.5 pts.

Specific Feedback:

Modular system is neat, well organized, and balanced and the others all look okay as well. There's not really any problems with the overall composition and layout.

Week 3

Specific Feedback:

It's possible, though sometimes do consider the entire texture as an element that can be introduced in the typeface.

Week 4

Specific Feedback: It's not bad but there's too many inconsistencies, try to focus on the counter, give importance to those spaces.

Week 5
Specific Feedback: Overall it's good work, the use of colors is good plus the effects I made on the text.

REFLECTION

Experience:

The first exercise was challenging for me, especially with the amount of time given. It was still the first week and I felt pretty overwhelmed with the number of assignments we were given already. Because not only we have to learn all the systems but also create for each the typographic system. But overall I still liked this exercise because I get to experiment and play around with the compositions a lot. I definitely learned a lot during the process of doing the task and from the lecture videos. Finding type was pretty challenging too. I had a lot of struggles refining the typeface. I was worried that I over-refined the typeface that it looses it's original essence. But I did enjoy the last exercise, type and image, because we were the given more freedom and of experimentation.

Observation:

I see that balance is very important in creating a good layout and composition.

Findings:

I find that creating layouts is not as easy as it seems and that learning about these systems helps a lot in creating good typographic layouts.

ANGELYN VALENCIA (0349573)

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