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

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Week 1 - Week 4

WangShengxiao/0369380

Bachelor of Design(Honours) in Creative Media

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

TABLE OF THE CONTENTS

  • Lecture
  • Instruction
  • Exercise
  • Feedback
  • Refections
  • Further Reading

Lecture 1 : Layout systems

Overview of layout design systems
In this lecture, we will explore eight basic systems of layout design:
Axial system: Elements are organized along a single axis, left or right.
Example Figure 1.1

Radial System: All elements extend from a focal point.
Example Figure 1.2

Expansion System: Elements expand in a circular manner from a central focus, often layered.
Example: Figure 1.3

Random system: The elements have no particular pattern or relationship.
Example: Figure 1.4

Grid system: Elements are arranged in a grid, divided into horizontal and vertical parts.
Example: Figure 1.5

Transition system: Hierarchical isolation of information using hierarchical frequency bands.
Example: Figure 1.6
Modular system: consists of standardized units that create a series of non-target elements.
Example: Figure 1.7
Two-sided system: Elements arranged symmetrically on a single axis.
Example: Figure 1.8

Key principles of layout design
Complex interdependencies: Effective communication depends on the interdependencies of elements, considering hierarchy, reading order, legibility, and contrast.
Guidance Framework: The typesetting system provides seemingly limited rules, but can guide learners in their design exploration.
conclusion
Designers often focus on grid systems, but understanding various layout systems can make printed information more creative and flexible.

Lecture 2 : layout composition

Design constitution principle
Design composition principles guide the arrangement of elements to create visual impact. Key concepts include:
Isolation: Placing elements separately on the page to enhance visibility and focus.
Repetition: Use similar elements throughout the design to create consistency and coherence.
Symmetry: Arranging elements symmetrically to achieve balance and stability.
Perspective: Using distance and perspective to create depth.
Rule of thirds
This principle divides the composition into a 3x3 grid, placing important elements at intersections to draw attention and create balance.
Example: Figure 2.2
Printing system in typography
The grid system, which reinforced the Modernist style, is still widely used for its versatility. In contrast, postmodern systems prioritize visual impact and artistry, often breaking traditional rules of legibility.
Postmodern features: chaos, randomness and asymmetry.
Other models/solutions
Environmental grids: Organize information around existing structures, combining objective and non-objective elements for unique design.
Form and movement: Visually dynamic combinations are encouraged, using an incremental approach to build complexity.

Lecture 3 : Context and Creativity in typography

Handwriting and typography studies
Understanding handwriting is crucial because it influences the design of mechanical letter forms. Historical processes include:
Development time:
Cuneiform → Hieroglyphics → Greek letters → Roman letters → boldface → Type.
Printing innovation
Movable type printing was first developed in China and had a significant impact on printing. In Korea, printing technology advanced thanks to the use of bronze movable type.
The development of Oriental calligraphy
Oriental calligraphy is rich in cultural significance, and its evolution faced challenges during the colonial period, but efforts are still being made to preserve its heritage.
Local movement and innovation
Typesetting in Asia: New projects support the development of multi-script fonts, such as Baloo by Ek Type.
Font design in Malaysia: Projects such as murasu.com and Huruf focus on localised font design and local text.

Summary

An exploration of typesetting systems, principles of design composition, and the historical context of typesetting reveals the rich interplay between rules, creativity, and innovation. Understanding these concepts enables designers to break away from traditional frameworks and facilitate the creation of impactful visual communication that resonates across cultures and mediums.

Instruction

Link to MIB

Exercise 1

Eight basic systems of layout design

In the first week, I explored 8 systems based on MIB and videos posted by Mr. Vinod, after which I sketched a few sketches to facilitate inspiration for myself.
fig.3.1 sketch (pdf)

In the second week, I began to formally use InDesign for layout design.

Final subimission









fig.3.2-3.9 eight typographic systems (jpeg)

fig.3.10 Typographic system with grids (pdf)

fig.3.11 Typographic system (pdf)

Exercise 2

First I chose this image, but when I looked for a font, I found that a font that resembles a spray is not suitable for the design of the font. Later, Mr. Vinod gave me guidance, I changed the picture as the inspiration, and Mr. Vinod told me that I could not use too small lines for the design, so I made a second attempt.
First selection
Second selection

fig.3.12 The process from extraction to reference to refinement (jpeg)

After Mr. Vinod's guidance, I chose many petals or branches to join together in the second search, so as to find the shape of the font from a large line Angle.

fig.3.13 The process from extraction to reference to refinement (pdf)

fig.3.14 Poster first edition (jpeg)


fig.3.15 Poster first edition (pdf)

fig.3.16 Final poster (jpeg)

fig.3.17 Final poster (pdf)

When I was designing the poster, my poster background image did not match the letter style, so Mr. Vinod helped me adjust the gray level of the background image, so that he looked more coordinated. Later, when I was designing, the background image reminded me of the black and white movies of the last century, so I used it as inspiration for the design.

Feedback

Week 4
General feedback: In the final poster design, the background image should be as close as possible to the letter style and original meaning.
Special feedback: When Mr. Vinod was guiding me in the poster design, he helped me adjust my background image. Since my font style did not match the style of the background image, I used gray scale to adjust it.

Week 3
General feedback: In the third week, Mr. Vinod commented on the class and guided us to work on font extraction, no matter what the inspiration is, don't forget to follow the letter itself
Special feedback: I should not have used too small lines, which added a lot of limitations to myself, should have enlarged the Angle of view and designed with a larger shape.

Week 2
General feedback: In the second week, Mr. Vinod commented on our posters with eight typesetting systems. In this assignment, we must not change the original text and meaning. When designing graphics and fonts, we can only add one color on the basis of black and white, and explained what we need to do next week
Special feedback: When designing the typesetting system, we must pay attention to the harmony of the composition, and if necessary, add some elements that do not affect the meaning to avoid stiffness.

Week 1
General feedback: During the first week, Mr. Vinod explained the MIB and what we needed to do for the next week, and suggested that we read more books on design.
Special feedback: After joining a Facebook group, you need to submit a link to your blog.

Reflection

During my design process, I realized how important it was to keep the integrity of the original text while integrating the graphics. Mr. Vinod reminded us to focus on harmony in the work, which helped me understand how to add elements to enhance the design without changing its meaning.

One of the challenges I faced was font extraction. I initially used small lines, which limited my design. After receiving feedback, I learned to think bigger and use larger shapes, resulting in more effective designs. Also, when working with background images, I think I was lacking aesthetically, I didn't think of adjusting the background to grayscale in the first place, and adjusting the background to grayscale helps create a cohesive look.

Overall, this process taught me a lot about the importance of feedback in improving my work. Each class has helped me think more critically and adapt to my designs, and I'm excited to continue building on what I've learned as I continue to grow as a designer.

Further Reading



《Typography Systems》 by Kimberly Elam is a comprehensive resource for typography design, focusing on the visual principles and systems that govern effective typography. This book serves as a valuable guide for designers looking to enhance their understanding and application of typography.

The book begins by covering the foundational elements of typesetting, such as font shapes, word spacing, and line height, emphasizing their significance in creating effective designs. Elam then delves into the structure and characteristics of various fonts, offering insights on how to select and pair them to achieve specific design goals.

A key focus of the book is the exploration of layout design principles, including proportion, symmetry, and asymmetry. Readers learn how to apply these concepts to create visual harmony and guide viewers' attention, ultimately enhancing the overall impact of their work.

Elam also addresses the use of typographic systems and grid layouts, explaining how these frameworks can help organize information and establish a coherent design structure. By mastering these systems, designers can effectively manage content presentation.

The book is rich with examples and case studies, illustrating the practical application of design principles and techniques. Through these analyses, readers gain a deeper understanding of how to implement various visual systems in their typography work.

In summary, Typography Systems is an essential reference for designers seeking to refine their typography skills and create compelling designs that meet diverse needs.

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