Typography / Task 2: Typographic Exploration & Communication

7.5.2023 - 20.5.2023 (Week 6 - Week 7)

Johnny Lam Wee Zhe / 0363436 / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media

Typography

Task 2

Lecture

Topic relevant lecture is similar to lectures in Task 1.

Instructions

Task 2 - Typographic Exploration & Communication

For our second task, we are tasked with expressing typographically one of the three content available. I decide to pick 'Unite to visualise a better world' for my topic. We have to create two pages layout, each measure 200mm by 200mm. My first process is to get started on researching visual inspiration for 'Unite'.

Reference

Fig 1. Unite Illustrations (6/05/2023 Week 5)

Sketches

After gathering enough reference, I begin to sketch out the layout based on the visuals I have collected. I try to rearrange the word in certain position that encapsulate the symbol of unity, usually in a form of a globe or a handshake.

Fig 2. Layout Sketches (7/05/2023 Week 5)

Digitization

After creating the sketches, I start to digitize them and see how feasible or well executed is the digitized layout.

Fig 3.1 Layout 1 Process (7/05/2023 Week 5)

Fig 3.2 Layout 2 Process(7/05/2023 Week 5)

Fig 3.3 Layout 3 Process (7/05/2023 Week 5)

Fig 3.4 Layout 4 Process (7/05/2023 Week 5)

The upper left layout is based on the line formed when shaking hands, the upper right layout shows a 'ribbon' flow toward each other to signify unity, the lower left uses two circles on alternative sides and the lower right is actually an inspiration for upper left layout, it's originally suppose to explore the idea of crossing the border (the line in the center) to unite with one another. I also decide to test out orientation of the body text but placing horizontally to see if it would work as a design.

Fig 4.1 Digitized Layout (9/05/2023 Week 6)

Fig 4.2 Digitalized Layout Blocks (9/05/2023 Week 6)

In addition to these four headline and layout ideas. I have also created four variants of the upper left layout.

Fig 4.2 Layout Variant (9/05/2023 Week 6)

After I have received the feedback, I have pick the ones that Mr. Vinod has made comments on, the lower right layout in figure 4.1 and made changes on it.

Fig 5. Post Feedback Result (9/05/2023 Week 6)

Still somewhat unsatisfied with the result, I decide to explore ways to develop variants of the heading further with help of Mr. Vinod.

Fig 6.1 Headline Variants (14/5/2023 Week 7)

In addition to that, I have also tried to test out the body text format and see what format I can come up with without compromising the readability and flow of the body text.

Fig 6.2 Body Text (14/5/2023 Week 7)

Final Editorial Spread

Fig 7.1 Final Editorial Spread (14/5/2023 Week 7)

HEAD
Font/s: ITC New Baskervilled Std Bold (Major Heading), ITC Garamond Std Bold (Minor Heading)
Type Size/s: 88 pt (Major Heading), 22 pt (Minor Heading)

BODY
Font/s: Janson Text LT Std

Type Size/s: 11 pt
Leading: 12 pt
Paragraph spacing: 12 pt (body text)
Characters per-line: 41 characters
Alignment: Left aligned

Margins: 12 mm (top, bottom, left, right)

Columns: 4

Gutter: 25.2 mm

Fig 7.2 Final Editorial Spread in PDF (14/5/2023 Week 7)

Fig 8.1 Final Editorial Spread with Guidelines (14/5/2023 Week 7)

Fig. 8.2 Final Editorial with Guideline (14/5/2023 Week 7)

Reflections

Experience

Task 2 is similar to Task 1 in which the task process is just about the same. The only difference is that instead of a two part exercises, two of these exercises are combined into one editorial spread with basic graphics and text layout interacting with one another. I have learnt about face value and how some audience would interpret a work at a single glance and to focus on one thing at a time (creating the graphic first and then, deal with the text format).

Observation

Looking at the work of others, I have observe how easily it can be for someone to simply focus on making the editorial spread interesting but ends up negating the readability and orderly flow of the editorial spread and also adding elements that does not serve any purpose other than being decorative.

Findings

Personally, I find that sometimes the most simplest text alignment are often the most affective. It may not the most eye catching nor the most interesting but it would work to ensure the flow of the body text, Instead, only the headline can be the one doing the attention grabbing.

Feedback

Week 6

General Feedback

Using Bodoni font for body text is not a good idea as it reduces readability. Focus one thing at a time, don't do two thing at the same time. Graphic line has to be used minimally, emphasis the first letter of the body text indicates a traditional layout. Be aware of people taking your work at face value.
Specific Feedback

Try not to use line to emphasis on crossing the border. Avoid having the text body in horizontal orientation.

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Johnny Lam Wee Zhe (0363436)