Typography Task 2: Typographic Exploration and Communication
2 May 2022 - 16 May 2022 / Week 06 - Week 08
Lim Wei Xian / 0342559
Lim Wei Xian / 0342559
Typography / Bachelor's of Mass Communication (HONS) (Advertising and Brand Management) / Taylor's University
Task 2: Typographic Exploration and Communication (Text Formatting and Expression)
LECTURES
Week 6 | Typography Task 2 Progress Demo
Notes of Lecture 1-6 is available in "Typography Task 1: Exercise 1 & 2".
Link to Task 1: https://limweixian.blogspot.com/2022/04/typography-task-1-exercise-1-2.html
In this video below, Mr. Vinod uploaded a guide for us on how to start our Task 2. He demonstrates the introduction with examples and how we should progress along the way for this task.
Figure 1.1.0 Typography Task 2 Process Demo
INSTRUCTIONS
Task 2: Typographic Exploration and Communication
Task 2 of the Typography module required students to create an editorial with 2 pages (spread) with each page being the size of 200mm x 200mm. No images or characters are allowed, only letters and subtle graphical elements are allowed (e.g. lines). This task is performed with the use of the Adobe InDesign software, with Adobe Illustrator being acceptable if students decides to utilise the software for their headline expression.
Week 6
Headline attempts on Illustrator
I went onto Adobe Illustrator to test out a few visuals that would express the given headline of "Follow The Code". The visual effect that I want to achieve was to complement the placements of words with the action of the word 'follow'. I drew curvy lines and placed the text along the lines to visualise the word and expression of "Follow The Code". Below are some attempts I did on Adobe Illustrator.
Figure 2.1.0 Attempt #1 on Headline [Progression] 05/05/2022
Figure 2.1.1 Attempt #2 on Headline [Progression] 05/05/2022
Figure 2.1.2 Attempt #3 on Headline [Progression] 05/05/2022
Figure 2.1.3 Attempt #4 on Headline [Progression] 05/05/2022
Figure 2.1.4 Attempt #5 on Headline [Progression] 05/05/2022
There are two types of expression that I can work on for this headline: expressing the word 'follow', or 'code'. I had to choose one because combining two expressions may be too complex for the human eye to focus. My idea with the word 'code' was to express it in a way similar to coding, or the visual of a QR code.
Reference
Figure 2.1.5 QR Code for reference (feel free to scan it) 05/05/2022
Figure 2.1.6 Illustration of a staircase for reference 05/05/2022
In the end, I've decided to stick with only the expression for 'follow'. Below is my one and only attempt of expressing both words, which in my opinion did not work as well.
Figure 2.1.7 Attempt #6 on Headline (word 'code' inspired by the visual of a QR code) [Progression] 05/05/2022
Sketches with pen on paper (picture was scanned)
The top sketch was inspired by my Attempt #4 of the headline, whereas the bottom sketch was a sudden idea I had. For the bottom sketch, I want the placements of the words to be mimicking the shape or flow of a stair. With the expression of 'follow' in mind, I sketched out the text as if they are on a stairway/ platform. The flow of the text is going downwards, just like a staircase. The body text from left to right also has some inspired ideas of the staircase as well, having the flow from the bottom to top (just like a staircase).
Figure 2.2.0 Layout sketch [Progression] 06/05/2022
Layout attempt with Adobe Indesign
Figure 2.3.0 Layout Attempt #1 on Adobe InDesign [Progression] 07/05/2022
Figure 2.3.1 Layout Attempt #2 on Adobe InDesign [Progression] 07/05/2022
After getting the feedbacks from Mr. Vinod for my "Layout Attempt #1", it is suggested to change the text to all capital letters instead. I missed out on the line length of the paragraph in the first page, therefore Mr. Vinod pointed that out for me to update it. Furthermore, the leading can still be slightly improved on the second page.
I took the feedback and went back to Adobe InDesign and fix up some of my mess. Below will be the progress of me making amendments for the layout.
Figure 2.3.3 First page of layout [Progression] 09/05/2022
Text was capitalised on top of a subtle illustration of a platform to signify the patterns of a staircase. I've fixed the body text to shift it on the right side of the first page to give it some breathing space on the left. On first glance, it looks fine to me, but after looking it for a longer time, I felt like it can still be improved. In the end, I tried to align 'THE' with the body text. I also did some minor adjustments to align the headline text.
Figure 2.3.3 First page of layout (updated with alignments, with red dotted lines to show the alignments made for the headline and body text) [Progression] 09/05/2022
Figure 2.3.4 Before tracking and leading for the first page (With alignments and hidden characters) [Progression] 09/05/2022
Figure 2.3.5 After tracking and leading for the first page (With alignments and hidden characters) [Progression] 09/05/2022
On the second page, there are widows to be seen in two of the paragraphs. I made some amendments and trying to fit more words within the lines of the widows.
Figure 2.3.6 Widows circled in red (With alignments and hidden characters on second page) [Progression] 09/05/2022
Figure 2.3.7 Fixed widows circled in green (With alignments and hidden characters on second page) [Progression] 09/05/2022
Figure 2.3.8 Kerning on headline [Progression] 12/05/2022
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Figure 2.3.9 Layout [Progression] 12/05/2022
Font Typeface: Adobe Caslon Pro
Font Size: 56pt (Headline), 10pt (Body Text)
Leading: 12pt
Paragraph Spacing: 12pt
Line Length: 50-60 characters
Alignment: Left align
Margins: 12.7mm (Left, Right), 13mm (Top), 23mm (Bottom)
Columns: 2 (Gutter: 5mm)
Immediately, I realised that the word 'FOLLOW' was placed a bit to the right side, leaving the left side looking with a lot of space. I really wanted the word 'THE' to align with the body text in the first page, but sacrifices must be made and I did my best to make everything look organised.
Figure 2.3.10 Layout refinement. Aligning the letter 'H' to the body text. [Progression] 12/05/2022
I shifted the whole headline a bit to the left, making the letter 'H' in 'THE' to align with the body text instead.
FINAL TYPOGRAPHY: TASK 2 (SUBMISSION)
Font Typeface: Adobe Caslon Pro
Font Size: 56pt (Headline), 10pt (Body Text)
Leading: 12pt
Paragraph Spacing: 12pt
Line Length: 50-60 characters
Alignment: Left align
Margins: 12.7mm (Left, Right), 13mm (Top), 23mm (Bottom)
Columns: 2 (Gutter: 5mm)
Figure 2.4.0 Final Task 2: Typographic Exploration and Communication with Grids, Columns, and Guides (PDF) 14/05/2022
Figure 2.4.1 Final Task 2: Typographic Exploration and Communication (JPEG) 14/05/2022
Figure 2.4.2 Final Task 2: Typographic Exploration and Communication (PDF) 14/05/2022
FEEDBACK
Week 07
General Feedback: Overall idea on the headline was clear.
Specific Feedback: The headline "Follow The Code" can be improved by making everything capital letters. Line length for the first page was too long. Leading on the second page can be improved.
REFLECTION
Experience
It was a fun experience for me to explore my creativity in this Task 2 assignment. I went through a few explorations, where some requires lesser work, while some requires more work in executing. Everything else was easier for me as I brought in the skills and experience from my Task 1 assignment into this Task 2. The theories and knowledge behind the creative layout in this assignment tested my limits, and I was still doing some mistakes here and there during my time working on it. Even though minor mistakes were made, the experience I have to make amendments and improve my work was a joy.
Observations
Alignment was one of the most important things I have observed. In some cases, alignments wouldn't go exactly to what I have planned. The creative layout isn't as simple as it looks, giving me some hard time figuring out what's best for my design. Observing the layout from far away and up close tested the execution of my work, making me placing each layout element nicely so that it wouldn't be an eye-sore for readers when looking at my layout.
Findings
After the assignment, I have discovered that even though the design in a layout can look nice, if the expression or the message that is trying to communicate doesn't related back to the whole theme, the design would just be all a waste. The layout should be communicating with the readers on what the whole theme is all about in order to make it presentable and straightforward.
FURTHER READING
THE VIGNELLI CANON
by Massimo Vignelli
Figure 3.1.0 Cover of The Vignelli Canon
This book goes through the guidelines of typography, giving readers a better understanding of typography in graphic design.
Figure 3.1.1 Massimo Vignelli on "Grids, Margins, Columns, and Modules" in "The Vignelli Canon"
Massimo Vignelli mentioned that for designers, graphic design is the "organization of information". Grids can hold up the structure of a design, helping contents a uniformed and organised look. Grid is an amazing tool to organise contents, while margins, columns, and modules can assist it to provide information hierarchy as well.
Figure 3.1.2 Layout examples in "The Vignelli Canon"
For layouts, yet again grids are there to serve as an important tool to provide consistency. Furthermore, bold initials, outlined images, and line drawings can add emphasis into a layout and potentially bring in excitement. Even with that being said, the most important aspect in a layout is the management of white space. Bad designs will leave the layout with no breathing space, while good management of white space will let the layout 'sing'.
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