ADVANCED TYPOGRAPHY: PROJECT 1
30/06/2023 - 06/12/2023
Week 01 - Week 14
Adrianna Sofea Mohd Fauzi (0350661)
Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Advanced Typography - Exercises
CONTENTS:
LEC01:Typographic Systems:
Axial: In the Axial System, text elements are placed along a central axis or line. This gives the design a sense of harmony and symmetry. To ensure harmony and order, the alignment and spacing of text elements are carefully taken into account.
Radial: Text elements are arranged in a circular or radiating form in radial typographic systems, frequently emanating from a central point. As well as providing for several levels of hierarchy in the information given, this design strategy is dynamic and can focus the viewer's attention in the centre.
Dilatational: Dilatational typography involves modifying the size of text parts to emphasise certain points or communicate a certain meaning. For instance, significant details might be provided in larger text, while less significant ones might be in smaller type. The attention of the viewer is guided by scale in this approach.
Random: A random typographic system is characterized by an irregular and unpredictable arrangement of text elements. This approach can create a sense of spontaneity and playfulness in design but may be challenging to use effectively for conveying structured information.
Grid: In grid-based typography, text elements are aligned with a grid or a group of columns using a rigid and structured layout method. This approach guarantees coherence, readability, and a neat, tidy appearance. Web design and editing frequently use it.
Modular: Modular typography involves breaking text elements into distinct modules or blocks. It has to be within a unit and each may contain a piece of information or a message, and these units are arranged systematically to create a coherent and organized design. It's often used in information-heavy layouts.
Transitional: The transitional typographic system involves a gradual shift between different type styles, often within the same document or design. It's commonly used to create a sense of progression or to visually separate different sections of content.
Task 1: Typographic Systems : Exercise 1: Typographic Systems
Fig 1.0 References of Axial, Radial and Dilatational System
Fig 1.1 References of Random, Grid and Transitional System
Fig 1.2 References of Modular and Bilateral System
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Fig 1.3 Processes
Fig 2.0 Transitional System
Fig 2.1 Grid System
Fig 2.2 Random System
Fig 2.3 Dilatational System
Fig 2.4 Radial System
Fig 2.5 Axial System
Fig 2.6 Modular System
Fig 2.7 Bilateral System
Compilataion of eight systems
Typographic Systems in PDF
Typographic Systems with Grids and Guides
In this exercise. we were required to select an image of a man-made object (chair, glass, etc.) or structure (buildings), or something from nature (Human, landscape, leaf, plant, bush, clouds, hill, river, etc). Ensure that the image does not contain many different elements.
2. NASA's Projects and Explorations
4. Craftworks
IDEATION 1:
At first, I had intended to choose the NASA space shuttle as my starting point, and I gradually worked towards ensuring that the final result would align with my initial expectations. However, I soon came to the realization that I had rushed my decision, and to compound matters, the process required less time and observation than I had initially thought, ultimately leading to the realization that I couldn't extract high-quality letterforms.
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After several progressions with other ideas, a side table and a stained glass piece, I still faced slow progress and significant stress. Therefore, I had to restart all over again. I did manage to find some letterforms, but refining them became so challenging that I contemplated giving up. Consequently, I decided to explore other possibilities. Returning to my list, I began searching for inspiration in museums, sculptures, and similar sources.
I went ahead and looked into sculptures and found a ceramic abstract sculpture that had repetitive patterns and distinctive strokes or shapes that were interconnected.
I spent several hours observing the sculpture without immediately searching for specific letterforms. The other day, Mr. Vinod delivered a motivating speech about the creative process of designers, emphasizing the importance of taking breaks to make progress. He explained that staring at a screen all day would prevent us from noticing differences or mistakes (September 17th). Thus, I took my time and evaluate my choice.
With its repetitive structure, this sculpture made it easier to identify other letterforms that shared the same stroke, weight, and character. Compared to the NASA space shuttle's structure, everything else looked different, as if it belonged to a different typeface family.
Initially, I identified the letter "B" and gradually discovered other letterforms. I noticed that the sculpture somehow resembled a net. Consequently, I needed to understand how to shape the stroke for the counterform, which would define the letterform's true character.
I experimented by applying the same counterform shape from "B" to the letter "S" to create consistency, but it inadvertently resembled the lowercase letter "g." This led me to reevaluate and refine the structure of the letter "S by revisiting the original form of "S" that I extracted.
I arranged the letters in the order I discovered them, although I could have rearranged them to create a better word. However, "bysoa" seemed good enough, not too unconventional, and still pronounceable.
Type "BYSOA" in JPEG
Final Type Outcome:

Type "BYSOA" in PDF
Final Poster Outcome:
Poster in JPEG
Poster in PDF
Feedback
Week 4:
General Feedback: Focus on what you are trying to express in your wordmark instead of the overall design, it has to start with an idea that comes within
Specific Feedback: Absent due to covid
Week 3:
General Feedback: The refinement of the letterform has to have a consistent flow, width, weight and strokes. The letterform has to represent the actual object you extracted from and ensure their characteristics are visible.
Specific Feedback: Refinement needs more work and texture, shape of my object, avoid focusing on strokes only
Week 2:
General Feedback: Use only one colour and ensure elements aren’t too big or distractive that will disrupt the entire layout and message
Specific Feedback: No specific feedback
Reflection
Experience:
In exercise 1, it took me a while to understand the systems, especially having to read through all 8 systems. However, I realised my time management was the reason I was not able to execute them well as I was heavily focused on my other assignment and underestimated how much time I had to spend to come out with a good layout and ensure it was readable. Weirdly enough the random system was the most stressful system for me, as someone who is "obedient" I might say and would always follow the rules. It was difficult for me to create chaos because I never let myself unleash my creative madness as I felt it was not a "design" if I were to apply into them.
Observation:
The second exercise felt like the longest journey I had taken during the past week. Despite understanding how this exercise in kreatifbeats works, I had completed over 4 different images and had been redoing them every hour. I was close to giving up because it was still challenging for me. In order to determine which image or object is the most appropriate and easiest way to identify a letterform, I first started to list the things that inspire me. This helped me find my centre ground again. I truly wished that my NASA Space Shuttle had been chosen, but it has grown increasingly complex over time, and Mr. Vinod had advised against picking something too challenging. I had to completely discard that one as a result.
Findings:
Kimberly Elam's book proved invaluable for understanding typographic systems. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, I couldn't explore all its contents thoroughly. Later, when I revisited the book after completing my work, I realized there were numerous insights and possibilities I could have explored, but by then, it was too late.
Typographic Systems by Kimberly Elam
Major focus on understanding how dilatational and transitional is incorporated
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