Typography - Task 2: Typographic Exploration and Communication

27.09.2022 - 16.10.2022 / Week 5 - Week 7
Lim Rui Ying / 0358986
Typography / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Task 2: Typographic Exploration and Communication

LIST

Instructions

Task 2: Typographic Exploration and Communication

Feedback

Reflection
Further Reading

LECTURES

All lectures are completed in Task 1: Exercises 1 & 2

Class Summary

WEEK 5

Mr Vinod briefed us on the next task - Task 2: Typographic Exploration and Communication. We are required to combine what we have learnt in the exercises of Task 1 (type expression and text formatting) and apply it to this task. We are asked to watch the demo video of Task 2 and draw some layout sketches before starting to create the type expression in the headline and compose the layouts in InDesign. Mr Vinod has mentioned all the requirements of this task clearly.

WEEK 6

We are asked to look around at our classmates' works and give them feedback. It was interesting listening to peers' feedback, we can notice the mistakes that we do not realize and get some opinions from them. While Mr Vinod looked through our e-portfolio and write his feedback in the Google Sheets. We are warned to complete the text formatting task with at least four layouts and our e-portfolio at the earliest. Mr Vinod gave us feedback on our layouts. We are allowed to refer to and analyse seniors' work but avoid getting too influenced by their work.

WEEK 7

We have to complete and update this post of Task 2 as soon as possible to meet the deadline this coming Sunday.

INSTRUCTIONS

TASK 2: Typographic Exploration and Communication

This task is a combination of two exercises of Task 1. We are assigned to express typographically the content provided in a 2-page editorial spread (200 mm x 200 mm). We have to choose one from the three text options provided as the content. We are required to utilise the knowledge gained in previous exercises and from other modules for this task. We should also watch Typo_Task 2_Process Demo before we begin this task.

Task requirements

- We should use the 10 typefaces provided in this task.

- Sketches and digitised sketches are required as parts of the process of composing layouts.

- A good layout is that the headline expression has an interesting interaction with the body text.

Headlines

- We may use Adobe Illustrator to create headline expressions.

- Only minor graphical elements are allowed, i.e. line, shade, etc.

Layouts

- We must use Adobe InDesign to compose the layouts.

- No images are allowed, only minor graphical elements are allowed.

- Do not place body text and important information in the gutter between two pages. Exception for the large and clear headline is allowed to go across the gutter.

Submission requirements

- Spread size: 2 pages of 200 mm x 200 mm on each page

- File size: 300 ppi

- Format: 2 JPEGs and 2 PDFs (with and without grids)

- Additional layout information is required

- Black and white colour

1. Visual References

I decided to make an expression on the word 'Code' in the headline so I Google searched the images of 'code'. I explore some layout designs from the Pinterest site as well.

Fig. 1.1 Visual references for headline exploration, from the Medium site

Fig. 1.2 Visual references for layout exploration, from Pinterest

Image References

Fig. 1.1 left: https://medium.com/swlh/learning-to-code-45f7e1657c1e

right: https://medium.com/@cortneythomas/laymans-coding-what-is-the-minimum-html-you-need-for-a-website-eda987b02622

Fig. 1.2 left: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/123708321006078392/

right: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/136937644911539781/

2. Sketches
I came out with four sketches with different expressions of headlines and layouts. I have mentioned the typefaces of the headlines and the number of columns on a page beside each sketch.

Fig. 1.3 Sketches, Week 5 (2/10/2022)

3. Headline Expressions Exploration

For the expressions of the headlines, I want to make expressions on the word 'Code'.

I started digitising the headline of sketch #1 (Fig. 1.3 top). I use the concept of HTML code in sketch #1. However, I found out that the word 'Code' in this article is defined as a set of principles accepted and used by a society or a particular group of people. Thus, I try other attempts without using that design.

Fig. 1.4 Headline #1, Week 5 (2/10/2022)

I made one variation for the other three headlines of my sketches and proceed to layouts exploration with each headline.

Fig. 1.5 Headlines #2 and #3, Week 5 (2/10/2022)

4. Layouts Exploration

I made a layout attempt on sketch #1 (Fig. 1.3 top) but the text is too long that cannot fit on a page. As a result, sketch #1 has failed.

Fig. 2.1 Failed attempt of sketch #1, Week 5 (2/10/2022)

Fig. 2.2 Layouts, Week 5 (2/10/2022)

Fig. 2.3 Layouts blocked out, Week 5 (2/10/2022)

Shortlisted layouts

Fig. 2.4 Layout #1, Week 5 (2/10/2022)

HEAD
Font/s: Futura Std Light (Follow, the), Medium Condensed (Code)
Type Size/s: 35 pt (the), 145 pt (Follow), 175 pt (Code)

BODY
Font/s: Adobe Caslon Pro Regular, Bold, Italic (body text)

Type Size/s: 10 pt (body text)
Leading: 12 pt (body text)
Paragraph spacing: 12 pt (body text)
Characters per-line: 39 characters
Alignment: Left aligned

Margins: 10 mm (top, bottom, left, right)

Fig. 2.5 Layout #2, Week 5 (2/10/2022)

HEAD
Font/s: Futura Std Light (Follow, the), Bold (Code)
Type Size/s: 35 pt (the), 100 pt (Follow), 105 pt (Code)

BODY
Font/s: Adobe Caslon Pro Regular, Bold, Italic (body text)

Type Size/s: 10 pt (body text)
Leading: 12 pt (body text)
Paragraph spacing: 12 pt (body text)
Characters per-line: 39 characters
Alignment: Left aligned

Margins: 10 mm (top, bottom, left, right)

Layouts after feedback and week 6 class

After the week 6 class, I made some adjustments to the shortlisted layouts and created more layouts to have a better exploration of layouts.

Fig. 2.6 New layouts based on feedback, Week 6 (7/10/2022)

Fig. 2.7 New layouts blocked out, Week 6 (7/10/2022)

New shortlisted layouts

Fig. 2.8 Layout #2.1, Week 6 (7/10/2022)

HEAD
Font/s: Futura Std Light (Follow, the), Bold (Code)
Type Size/s: 35 pt (the), 100 pt (Follow), 105 pt (Code)

BODY
Font/s: Adobe Caslon Pro Regular, Semibold Italic (body text), Adobe Caslon Pro Bold Italic (subtext)

Type Size/s: 10 pt (body text), 14 pt (subtext)
Leading: 12 pt (body text), 18 pt (subtext)
Paragraph spacing: 12 pt (body text)
Characters per-line: 39 characters
Alignment: Left aligned

Margins: 10 mm (top, bottom, left, right)

Columns: 6

Gutter: 5 mm

Fig. 2.9 Layout #3, Week 6 (7/10/2022)

HEAD
Font/s: Univers LT Std 55 Roman (the), 59 Ultra Condensed (Follow), 75 Black (Code)
Type Size/s: 36 pt (the), 90 pt (Follow), 116 pt (Code)

BODY
Font/s: Univers LT Std 55 Roman, 65 Bold Oblique (body text), Univers LT Std 55 Oblique (subtext)

Type Size/s: 10 pt (body text), 18 pt (subtext)
Leading: 12 pt (body text), 24 pt (subtext)
Paragraph spacing: 12 pt (body text)
Characters per-line: 50 characters
Alignment: Left aligned

Margins: 10 mm (top, bottom, left, right)

Columns: 4

Gutter: 5 mm

Fig. 2.10 Layout #4, Week 6 (7/10/2022)

HEAD
Font/s: Futura Std Book (Follow, the), Extra Bold (Code)
Type Size/s: 40 pt (Follow, the), 125 pt (Code)

BODY
Font/s: Adobe Caslon Pro Regular, Semibold Italic (body text), Adobe Caslon Pro Bold Italic (subtext)

Type Size/s: 10 pt (body text), 18 pt (subtext)
Leading: 12 pt (body text), 24 pt (subtext)
Paragraph spacing: 12 pt (body text)
Characters per-line: 60 characters
Alignment: Left aligned

Margins: 10 mm (top, bottom, left, right)

Columns: 4

Gutter: 5 mm

Final Task 2: Typographic Exploration and Communication

I chose layout #2.1 as my final layout for this task as it has a significant flow in the body text compared to layouts #3 and #4.

Fig. 2.11 Final layout (without grids) - JPEG, Week 7 (13/10/2022)

Fig. 2.12 Final layout (with grids) - JPEG, Week 7 (13/10/2022)

HEAD
Font/s: Futura Std Light (Follow, the), Bold (Code)
Type Size/s: 35 pt (the), 100 pt (Follow), 105 pt (Code)

BODY
Font/s: Adobe Caslon Pro Regular, Semibold Italic (body text), Adobe Caslon Pro Bold Italic (subtext)

Type Size/s: 10 pt (body text), 14 pt (subtext)
Leading: 12 pt (body text), 18 pt (subtext)
Paragraph spacing: 12 pt (body text)
Characters per-line: 39 characters
Alignment: Left aligned

Margins: 10 mm (top, bottom, left, right)

Columns: 6

Gutter: 5 mm

Fig. 2.13 Final layout (without grids) - PDF, Week 7 (13/10/2022)

Fig. 2.14 Final layout (with grids) - PDF, Week 7 (13/10/2022)

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FEEDBACK

WEEK 6

Fig. 2.5 Layout #2

General Feedback

I made an expression on the word 'Code' in the headline of 'Follow the Code' by using a bold typeface while a light typeface for the word 'Follow' and 'the' to create contrast in the headline. Mr Vinod commented I did a great job. Mr Vinod advised us to explore more by creating more layouts. It helps to develop a habit of doing explorations, and it even benefits other assignments.

Specific Feedback

I have to separate the subheadline from the body text. I was suggested to use italic bold for the lead-in-text in some of the paragraphs. I noticed I made a widow mistake in the second paragraph of the fourth column.

Classmates' feedback

Headline: the word 'the' between the letter 'C' and 'O' is in an awkward position.

Body text: lower down the first column of the body text to create a flow in the columns of the body text.

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REFLECTION

Experience

I have used what I learned from Task 1 in this task as it is the combination of two exercises in Task 1. I started with sketches first and proceed to headline and layout explorations. It was slightly different from the two exercises when I was arranging the headline and body text. Unlike the usual one, we went through the feedback session by giving feedback to our classmates and getting opinions from them as well. Mr Vinod then only gave us short feedback on our work and some advice on our e-portfolio organization.

Observation

I have made some headline variations from my sketches. We may pop up new ideas while exploring different attempts. During the feedback session, we are exercising our judgment by looking at peers' work and giving feedback based on what we have ascertained from Task 1 and previous classes. Feedback given by Mr Vinod on this task helps me to discover a larger perspective of judgment. Mr Vinod's advice on our Task 1 posts helps me a lot in organizing this task.

Findings

I found that it is important to know the rules well before breaking the rules. Same as for the steps of doing this task, we should first sketch out our idea and continue to the digitisation of headlines and layouts. It is also essential to explore more attempts as much as possible in the design process to discover different ideas. The most vital thing in a composition is the flow. It creates a visual impact and interacts with the viewers.

The previous task helps me to improve a lot in this task. I am more aware of the rules when making headline word expressions and creating layouts. It will become easy when we are familiar with the rules well and the fun fact is we can play around with them by breaking the rules.

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