Advanced Typography - exercise 1 (week1)

 04/22/2025 / Week 1 - week 3

Khansa Raudlatus Syahiidah / 0374511

Advanced Typography / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media

Task 1 : Exercise 1

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TABLE OF CONTENTS :

1. Lectures

2. Instructions

3. Process work

    3.1 Exercise 1

    3.2 Exercise 2

4. Feedback

5. Reflection

6. Further Reading 

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1. LECTURES

Lecture week 1 : 

• Pre - recorded lecture : AdTypo_1_Typographic Systems

    Advanced Typography : Typographic systems

    "All designs are based on a structural systems". According to Elam, 2007, there are 8 major variations with an infinite number of permutations :

1. Axial
2. Radial
3. Dilatational
4. Random 
5. Grid
6. Modular
7. Trasitional
8. Bilateral

    Typographical organization is complex because the elements are dependent on communication in order too function. Additional criteria such as, hierarchy, order of reading, legibility, and contrast also come into play.

1. Axial system : All elements are organized to the left or right of a single axis (the red line).

    Information divided into groups and placed in different angles or different sides of the axis (known as axial). 

Fig 1.1: Axial system

    Must an axial be straight ? Not necessary, it can be bent like the photo shown

    There are possibilities for variation in axial. An axial system requires a single line and not more than 1 axis.

2. Radial system : All elements are extended from a point of focus and then it spreads out according to its particular point of focus.

Fig 1.2: Radial system

- There are multiple point of focus

3. Dilatational system : All elements expand from a central point in a circular fashion.

Fig 1.3: Dilatational system

    - You can have multiple rings of circle with information on either sides, or in line with the circle. 

    - You can also place it in a hierarchical manner where the important takes precedence, or even the other rings of the circle, or the inner rings in a circle. Subsequently the lesser important information is in the outer range and forth.   

    - You can also divide the information into clubs of information, placing them on the different rings based on it's hierarchy or however you determine the hierarchy, or reading rhythm for that particular text.

- Dilatational system can be both simple and complex organization

4. Random system : Elements appear to have no specific pattern or relationship.

Fig 1.4: Random system

5. Grid system : A system of vertical and horizontal divisions 

Fig 1.5: Grid system

6. Transitional system : An informal system of layered banding (segregating information within certain bands)

Fig 1.6: Transitional system

    - Many layout could be a combination of two different systems  

    ex. Headline you use interesting types of compositional typographic systems, whereas, when it come to the larger amounts of text you can be rather rigid and use the grid system.

7. Modular system : A series of non-objective elements that are constructed in as a standardized units

 

Fig 1.7: Modular system

    Based on Kimberly Elim, the units of the red little square have to be standardized to be the same size. The reason to that is because, if it is known as modular, modular allows you to move the individual units to different portions of the page so it replaces another unit at the bottom or the side. and that is possible because the units are standardized. 

- You can shift these different elements in different spaces as long as it fits a single unit

There are two base units / units that are standardized

8. Bilateral system : All text is arranged symmetrically on a single axis 

Fig 1.8: Bilateral system

    - This is a system that are commonly used in invitation cards, and other formal invites.

Lecture week 2 : 

• Pre - recorded lecture : AdTypo_2_Typographic Composition

    Principles of Design Composition 

    When thinking about composition, we think about the dominant principles underpinning design composition, which are emphasis, isolation, repetition, symmetry, and asymmetry, alignment, perspective to name a few.

    The Rule of Thirds

    A photographic guide to composition, where a frame / space can be divided into 3 columns and 3 rows. The intersecting lines are used as a guide to place the points of interest withing the given space.

Fig 2.1: Rule of Thirds

    Typographic Systems

•     The Grid System / Raster System is the most pragmatic and the most used system out of all 8 systems.

Fig 2.2: Grid System

    Although the grid system may seem old or rigid, the grid system continues to remain popular as its Modular nature allows an infinite number of adaptations.

    Other Models / System

    Environmental Grid

    Structure that is based on the exploration of an existing structure or numerous structures combined. An extraction of crucial lines both curved and straight are formed. The information is then organized around this super structure, which includes non-objective elements to create a unique and exciting mixture of texture and visual stimuli. 

    Form and Movement

    System based on exploration of an existing Grid Systems. It was developed to get students to explore; the multitude of options the grid offer; to dispel the seriousness surrounding the application of the grid system; and to see the turning of pages in a book as a slowed-down animation in the form that constituted the placement of image, text, and color.  

Lecture week 3 : 

• Pre - recorded lecture : AdTypo_3_Context&Creativity

Why is handwriting important in the study of type / typography ?

    Because, the first mechanically produced letterforms were designed to directly imitate handwriting. Also, The design of hand drawn letterforms were influences from the tools and materials used to make them. Such as, sharpened bones, charcoal sticks, plant stems brushes, and feather.

    Evolution of the Latin Alphabet

    Point of origin: 1750 BCE (before common error)

    Handwriting

• Indian scripts were the oldest writing systems present in Southeast Asia (ex. Pallava)
• Pallava became the basis for writing systems across Southeast Asia
• Indonesia's most important historical script: Kawi, based on Nagari, but indigenous to Java. Kawi also became the basis of other scripts in both Indonesia and the Philippines.  

    Programmers and Type Design 

    More and more vernacular and "multi script" typefaces are being produced to cater the situations where the written matter is communicated in the Vernacular script / vernacular and Latin script.

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2. INSTRUCTIONS

Fig 2.1: Module Information Booklet

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3. PROCESS WORK

    Exercise 1 - Typographic System

    3.1 Ideation

• Axial

Fig 3.1: Axial system attempts 1,2,3&4 (04.25.2025)

    After designing some basic Axial system, I decided to tilt the title to create a more interesting design. As Axial is information written in the right or left axis, I tilted the title while still keeping it touch the axis.

• Radial

Fig 3.2: Radial system attempts 1&2 (04.29.2025)

    I struggled quite a bit while doing the Radial system. As it must extended from a point of focus, placing them was pretty tricky. As it all makes a pattern where letters are stretched, therefore a lot of space are also taken. As I tried around figuring for its layout, I tried to make it look less messy. These two were what I finally came up with. However, I was not much satisfied as it looks a little boring and weird.

Fig 3.3: Radial system attempts 3 (04.29.2025)

• Dilatational

Fig 3.4: Dilatational system attempts 1&2 (04.28.2025)

    While creating Dilatational system, I often got confused and struggled on how to design them without taking much space and also leaving to many spots empty. In this system, I also used many tools to help me create all this circular pattern. After I was done with placing all the information, I added in some elements like lines and circles to fill in the blanks. After I submitted the second design as my chosen final during the class feedback session, Mr. Vinod told me that it could better.

Fig 3.5: Dilatational system attempts 3 (04.29.2025)

    This was the final result of the layout I came with after the feedback session, I tried adding in the line element on two sides since there where many empty spaces.

• Random 

Fig 3.6: Random system attempts 1&2 (04.29.2025)

    I personally had a lot of fun doing the Random system. It was pretty creative on figuring how to mess the poster but still make it look nice. After looking through seniors work, I got many Ideas on creating a Random system. In this design, I play around with different font weight. I also put it colors specially on Random in order for it to stand out a little. The colors also made elements like the square shape around a lot more visible. While writing the title, I also tried around with separating them, like what I did with the word "Bauhaus" in the first design. As we placed in the lectures, I also tries to squash them together with all the different font weight they have.

• Grid

Fig 3.7: Grid system attempts 1&2 (04.28.2025)

    Grid was considered one of all the system where we can create a very organized look in the end. In my opinion, Grid was a more flexible version of the Modular system, where we are free to place it anywhere without having to fully use one box of the grid. While designing this, I tried to be a little creative with the tittle, placing in from side to top. This quite helped me in filling in the gaps I may have later on. I also bold the lecture date and name to increase its size and space, which also helped me to use a lot more of the space on the poster.

• Modular

Fig 3.8: Modular system attempts 1,2,3&4 (04.25.2025),(04.28.2025)

    As we follow and place words according to boxes of grid, we really had to work on how to use it effectively without wasting space and leaving a lot of white spaces. At first, they looked very empty without all the elements I add in. Many spaces were left empty, especially the top and bottom. However, I manage to add in lines and shape to fill in the gaps and make it less boring.

• Trasitional

Fig 3.9: Transitional system attempts 1&2 (04.29.2025)

    Although I was pretty confused while working on the Transitional System, I tried to create it a little messy with the image of a layered rock formation.

• Bilateral

Fig 3.10: Bilateral system attempts 1&2 (04.29.2025)

    After our feedback in class, many of us got our Bilateral system wrong. Although they have shown to be centered, Bilateral system only have a one line center and not more then that. In my case and some other, we centered them on two lines which is called a "Multilateral system".

Fig 3.11: Bilateral system attempts 3 (04.29.2025)

    After the feedback session, I moved my information placing them in one center as my previous one was not a Bilateral system.

    3.2 Final outcome

Fig 3.1: Final Axial system (JPEG) (04.25.2025)

Fig 3.2: Final Radial system (JPEG) (04.29.2025)

Fig 3.3: Final Dilatational system (JPEG) (04.29.2025)

Fig 3.4: Final Random system (JPEG) (04.29.2025)

Fig 3.5: Final Grid system (JPEG) (04.28.2025)

Fig 3.6: Final Modular system (JPEG) (04.28.2025)

Fig 3.7: Final Transitional system (JPEG) (04.29.2025)

Fig 3.8: Final Bilateral system (JPEG) (04.29.2025)

Fig 3.9: Final no grid pdf (05.03.2025)

Fig 3.9: Final with grid pdf (05.03.2025)

    Exercise 2 - Type & Play

3.1 Ideation 

Fig 4.1: 1st draft outline (05.06.2025)

    On my first work, I chose and orange as my font image reference. 

Fig 4.2: 1st draft font progress (05.06.2025)

    During the feedback session, my work was not approved as it did not reflect an orange itself. In this work, it is important that others can understand and imagine what object / things by just looking at your font.

Fig 4.3: 2nd draft outline (05.06.2025)

    On my second image, I chose clouds as my font image reference. I started of my randomly spotting letters. After that, I carefully outlined them using the pen tool that will then become my original font outline.

Fig 4.4: Original extraction (05.06.2025)

    After I have placed all outlined letters in a different artboard, I selected letters I want to focus on by filling them in.

Fig 4.5: 2nd draft Refining progress (05.06.2025)(05.08.2025)

    After I have moved all the selected letters, I continued to improve each letters until I have reach my desired look. Also to mention, I tried to create them similar to the look of a cloud. I also placed a reference font, Titan One.

Fig 4.6: Extracted letterforms (baseline) (05.09.2025)

Fig 4.7: Reference font (05.09.2025)

Fig 4.8: 2nd draft font with baseline (05.09.2025)

    In order to create an even width and height of my font, I placed them on top of my font reference as well as placing them on the baseline.

Fig 4.9: Original extraction (top) & Final letterform (bottom) (05.09.2025)

3.2 Final outcome

    Final font letters :

Fig 4.10: Refined letter "G" (05.09.2025)

Fig 4.11: Refined letter "L" (05.09.2025)

Fig 4.12: Refined letter "C" (05.09.2025)

Fig 4.13: Refined letter "E" (05.09.2025)

Fig 4.14: Refined letter "M" (05.09.2025)

Fig 4.15: Refined letter "P" (05.09.2025)

Fig 4.16: Final font - PDF (05.09.2025)

    Final poster :

Fig 4.17: Movie poster draft (05.12.2025)

Fig 4.18: Final Poster (JPEG)(05.20.2025)

Fig 4.19: Final Poster - PDF (05.20.2025)

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4. FEEDBACK

    Week 1 : 

General feedback : On our first week, we were instructed to watch the pr-recorded lecture 1 on the topic of "Typographic system". We were also told to start our task 1 where we must design based on all 8 typographic systems using InDesign. 

    Week 2 : 

General feedback : After we have completed our 8 Typographic systems, we compiled all our final which were then shown in front of the class for feedbacks from Mr. Vinod. He looked into each designs and gave us all feedbacks on which ones are good to go with and others that may need an improvements.

Specific feedback : During the feedback session, I was told to improve some of my system. I also got it wrong on my Bilateral System as I used to lines which made it a Multilateral System.

    Week 3 : 

General feedback : In this weeks class, we were all given feedbacks on how and what to improve in our type & play work.

Specific feedback : On my first work on the Type & Play exercise, I chose the picture of an orange as my font work. However, during our feedback session, my font was not approved as the current progress did not reflect my initial object, an orange. Therefore, I decided to start over from the beginning using a completely different picture for my font.

    Week 4 :

General feedback: We had our feedbacks on our Movie poster using the type & play font. After that, we were briefed on a new task in key artwork

Specific feedback : On my first movie poster draft, Mr. Vinod told me to fix the placing of my letters.

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5. REFLECTION

Experience : 

    As I have learned about the Typographic systems, there were many different rules on how to apply them. I gained a better understanding as we practiced and created couples of them on creating our design layout. As I was still a little unfamiliar with InDesign, this exercise truly helped me understand it better. And also, working on our type & play exercise, I learned a lot especially the importance on their work progress in finding the best final for our font. 

Observations : 

    Every Typographic systems has their own rule and ways. Such as grids to follow and the axis. It is also best to range our font size for information between 8 - 12. Playing around the different systems was one way to understand them better.

Findings :

    Both exercise helped me a lot in structuring design layouts from the typographic systems and also being creative with our type and play. Although my first type and play work was not approved, I realized that many things around us coal eventually turned into a font, with still making then similar to the original object we choose.

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6. FURTHER READING

FINDING TYPE : A NOVEL TYPOGRAPHIC EXERCISE 

Fig 6.1: Further Reading Article

1. Finding an image
2. Deconstructing an image
3. Identifying letterforms
4. Extracting letterforms
5. Identify a reference
6. Refining letterforms
   • Introduce consistency in height, width and contrast
   • Deliberate on retaining or removing characteristics
   • Decide what areas require simplification

    1. Finding an Image 

    The Image chosen must have a strong and consistent character, preferably a subject matter that is similar or repetitive in nature. When picking an image, it is best that we do not use an image that has too many different elements, as the extraction would have many attributes that are varied which would make the process time-consuming.

    2. Deconstructing and Image 

    We may choose to outline either the image or simply just the image itself. It is important to focus on studying the shapes, and form of the object. The nature of the lines, textures and overall form.

    3. Identifying Letterform  

    After outlining the image, we then proceed to identify letterforms within the outlined areas. Although the letter found may not look like the desired letter, but as long as it resembles basic shape, it is still acceptable.

    4. Extracting Letterforms 

    The letterforms are then extracted from the deconstructed image and placed on a baseline to be studied as a whole and in comparison to each other.

    5. Identify a Reference Typeface 

    A typeface that suits the type of art direction being pursued is identified as a reference. The reference serves as a guide towards an overall aesthetic, and also serves as a point of reference when determining the shape or form of a letter according to convention.

    6. Refining Letterforms 

    At this stage the design evolves through an iterative process. The objective here is to refine the letterform to a point where it is consistent, uniform and stylistically similar to the other extracted letterforms. All this while retaining the inherent quality and core characteristic of the original object/subject of the selected image. The characteristic need not be faithful to the original extraction and can evolve as long as it retains the essence of its structure and form.