Typography/Task 3B - Type Design and Communication
TYPOGRAPHY; TASK 3B
5/11/2021 - 19/11/2021 (Week 11 - Week 13)Diane Lim En Wei / 0345187 / B'Creative Media
Typography
Task 3B / Type Design and Communication
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Graphical work in illustrator
2. Create your BW sticker - take screen grab
3. Color palette (use website samples)
Week 11 (5/11/2021)
In the week prior, we were told to pick a holiday in which we would like to create a sticker for, I chose Christmas!
I first did research on elements that have visual association with Christmas, and took inspiration from them;
Fig 1.1 ; Christmas Bell (5/11/2021)
Fig 1.2 ; Santa's Sleigh (5/11/2021)
I then began creating sketches based off the inspiration taken from Fig 1.1 and Fig 1.2.
Fig 1.3 ; First sketch of sticker (5/11/2021)
This sticker (Fig 1.3), was based off Santa's sleigh, with a sack of Presents seated on the sleigh, dawning the Taylor's University logo.
Fig 1.4 ; Second sketch of sticker (5/11/2021)
Fig 1.4 was inspired off of the Christmas bells.
After receiving feedback from Mr. Vinod, I made another version of Fig 1.3, where the bottom was a straight edge rather than a curved one.
Fig 1.5 ; Alternate version to Fig 1.3 (5/11/2021)
I did not really like how Fig 1.5 looked as compared to Fig 1.3, I feel Fig 1.3 fills in the space at the bottom of the sled better than Fig 1.5.
After picking the sketch which I liked the most (Fig 1.3), and using the feedback I received, I went into Adobe Illustrator and created the first drafts of the black and white stickers, whilst also experimenting with different fonts. `
Fig 1.6 ; Experimenting with the different fonts (6/11/2021)Week 12 (12/11/2021)
The font I had decided to go with from Fig 1.6, was Gill Sans STD, Extra bold. Following the instructions given, after creating the black and white versions of the stickers, I went to look for a color palette to start the coloring process;
Fig 2.0 ; Chosen color palette (14/11/2021)
Fig 2.0 was the color palette I had chosen after doing some digging for Christmas-y colors.
Fig 2.1 ; Black and white sticker (14/11/2021)
I then added the colors from Fig 2.0, plus some of my own colors onto the sticker and arrived at Fig 2.2.
Fig 2.2 ; First attempt at colored sticker (14/11/2021)
After testing it on Telegram against the Dark and Light mode (Fig 2.3), I did not like how it looked, I thought it looked really flat;
Fig 2.3 ; First test of sticker against Dark and Light mode on Telegram (14/11/2021)
I made a small change to it, to add volume (Fig 2.4);
Fig 2.4 ; Second attempt at the colored sticker (14/11/2021)
I liked how this version (Fig 2.4) looked on Telegram more;
Fig 2.5 ; Second test of sticker against Dark and Light mode on Telegram (14/11/2021)Week 13 (19/11/2021)
Following the feedback received in Week 12, I made changes to the color of the Taylor's University logo. and added tassels at the end of the drawstrings on the bag/sack of presents. I also very roughly removed the snowflake pattern visible on the words "Merry Christmas" (Fig 2.6), just to try it out, but I did not like how it looked.
Fig 3.1 ; Third attempt at the colored sticker (14/11/2021)
Fig 3.2 ; Final attempt at the colored sticker (14/11/2021)
Fig 3.3 ; Final PDF of colored sticker (14/11/2021)
After all of that, I threw the sticker into Photoshop and produced the animated sticker. When planning the animation, I wanted to have the sticker fall from above, and like a sleigh, just mosey on out of frame. Like the Type expression exercise, I wanted there to be variation, so I decided to make the sticker fall in parts, and have the illusion of gravity acting on it.
Fig 3.4 ; Final Animated sticker (18/11/2021)
Fig 1.1 ; Christmas Bell (5/11/2021)
Fig 1.2 ; Santa's Sleigh (5/11/2021)
I then began creating sketches based off the inspiration taken from Fig 1.1 and Fig 1.2.
Fig 1.3 ; First sketch of sticker (5/11/2021)
This sticker (Fig 1.3), was based off Santa's sleigh, with a sack of Presents seated on the sleigh, dawning the Taylor's University logo.
Fig 1.4 ; Second sketch of sticker (5/11/2021)
Fig 1.4 was inspired off of the Christmas bells.
Fig 1.5 ; Alternate version to Fig 1.3 (5/11/2021)
I did not really like how Fig 1.5 looked as compared to Fig 1.3, I feel Fig 1.3 fills in the space at the bottom of the sled better than Fig 1.5.
`
Fig 1.6 ; Experimenting with the different fonts (6/11/2021)
Week 12 (12/11/2021)
The font I had decided to go with from Fig 1.6, was Gill Sans STD, Extra bold. Following the instructions given, after creating the black and white versions of the stickers, I went to look for a color palette to start the coloring process;
Fig 2.0 ; Chosen color palette (14/11/2021)
Fig 2.0 was the color palette I had chosen after doing some digging for Christmas-y colors.
Fig 2.1 ; Black and white sticker (14/11/2021)
I then added the colors from Fig 2.0, plus some of my own colors onto the sticker and arrived at Fig 2.2.Fig 2.2 ; First attempt at colored sticker (14/11/2021)
After testing it on Telegram against the Dark and Light mode (Fig 2.3), I did not like how it looked, I thought it looked really flat;
Fig 2.3 ; First test of sticker against Dark and Light mode on Telegram (14/11/2021)
I made a small change to it, to add volume (Fig 2.4);
Fig 2.4 ; Second attempt at the colored sticker (14/11/2021)
I liked how this version (Fig 2.4) looked on Telegram more;
Fig 2.5 ; Second test of sticker against Dark and Light mode on Telegram (14/11/2021)Week 13 (19/11/2021)
Following the feedback received in Week 12, I made changes to the color of the Taylor's University logo. and added tassels at the end of the drawstrings on the bag/sack of presents. I also very roughly removed the snowflake pattern visible on the words "Merry Christmas" (Fig 2.6), just to try it out, but I did not like how it looked.
Fig 3.1 ; Third attempt at the colored sticker (14/11/2021)
Fig 3.2 ; Final attempt at the colored sticker (14/11/2021)
Fig 3.3 ; Final PDF of colored sticker (14/11/2021)
After all of that, I threw the sticker into Photoshop and produced the animated sticker. When planning the animation, I wanted to have the sticker fall from above, and like a sleigh, just mosey on out of frame. Like the Type expression exercise, I wanted there to be variation, so I decided to make the sticker fall in parts, and have the illusion of gravity acting on it.
Fig 3.4 ; Final Animated sticker (18/11/2021)
Fig 2.0 ; Chosen color palette (14/11/2021)
Fig 2.0 was the color palette I had chosen after doing some digging for Christmas-y colors.
Fig 2.1 ; Black and white sticker (14/11/2021)
I then added the colors from Fig 2.0, plus some of my own colors onto the sticker and arrived at Fig 2.2.
Fig 2.2 ; First attempt at colored sticker (14/11/2021)
After testing it on Telegram against the Dark and Light mode (Fig 2.3), I did not like how it looked, I thought it looked really flat;
Fig 2.3 ; First test of sticker against Dark and Light mode on Telegram (14/11/2021)
I made a small change to it, to add volume (Fig 2.4);
Fig 2.4 ; Second attempt at the colored sticker (14/11/2021)
I liked how this version (Fig 2.4) looked on Telegram more;
Fig 2.5 ; Second test of sticker against Dark and Light mode on Telegram (14/11/2021)
Week 13 (19/11/2021)
Following the feedback received in Week 12, I made changes to the color of the Taylor's University logo. and added tassels at the end of the drawstrings on the bag/sack of presents. I also very roughly removed the snowflake pattern visible on the words "Merry Christmas" (Fig 2.6), just to try it out, but I did not like how it looked.
Fig 3.1 ; Third attempt at the colored sticker (14/11/2021)
Fig 3.2 ; Final attempt at the colored sticker (14/11/2021)
Fig 3.3 ; Final PDF of colored sticker (14/11/2021)
After all of that, I threw the sticker into Photoshop and produced the animated sticker. When planning the animation, I wanted to have the sticker fall from above, and like a sleigh, just mosey on out of frame. Like the Type expression exercise, I wanted there to be variation, so I decided to make the sticker fall in parts, and have the illusion of gravity acting on it.
Fig 3.4 ; Final Animated sticker (18/11/2021)
Fig 3.1 ; Third attempt at the colored sticker (14/11/2021)
Fig 3.2 ; Final attempt at the colored sticker (14/11/2021)
Fig 3.3 ; Final PDF of colored sticker (14/11/2021)
After all of that, I threw the sticker into Photoshop and produced the animated sticker. When planning the animation, I wanted to have the sticker fall from above, and like a sleigh, just mosey on out of frame. Like the Type expression exercise, I wanted there to be variation, so I decided to make the sticker fall in parts, and have the illusion of gravity acting on it.
Fig 3.4 ; Final Animated sticker (18/11/2021)
FEEDBACK
Week 11 (5/11/2021)
General Feedback - Avoid the use of too much Graphical elements. If you are using graphical elements, ensure that it takes up only 15% of the design.
Specific Feedback - The use of space in Fig 1.3 makes the sled hard to recognize. Use a bolder typeface, and instead of immediately using envelope mask, resize the letters first to fit in with how you want it done, then try to envelope mask it.
If I want to use the bell (Fig 1.4), use the whole space of the bell, and envelope mask the word 'Merry,' so as to improve readability.
Specific Feedback - The use of space in Fig 1.3 makes the sled hard to recognize. Use a bolder typeface, and instead of immediately using envelope mask, resize the letters first to fit in with how you want it done, then try to envelope mask it.
If I want to use the bell (Fig 1.4), use the whole space of the bell, and envelope mask the word 'Merry,' so as to improve readability.
Week 12 (12/11/2021)
Specific Feedback - The words look nice, but the Taylor's logo does not. I was not aware at the time that we were allowed to change the color of the logo. Maybe add tassels at the end of the bag string as it is hard to make out if it's tied around the bag. Is the snow flake pattern on the sled really needed?
Week 13 (19/11/2021)
Specific Feedback - "Good job on the envelope masking. The adaptation of the text in the idea is relatively successful. Areas for improvement: Would be good to have more ideation and exploration in the beginning. All else good." But after consulting with him on the ideation matter, he said that it varies from student to student and that most students typically have more sketches but the amount I had was fine.
I also brought up the problem with the jagged dither, and he said that it wasn't really an issue.
REFLECTION
This task definitely forced the lesson of not depending on graphics onto us, and it's made me appreciate a lot of the designs that fully rely on Typeface much more. I tried to mainly rely on visual association when tackling this task, trying to find the right shapes to create the structure of the object I want. Overall, this was my favorite task (I'm not sure if I've said that for the last few haha), and I'm really proud of how it came out, mainly the animation.
FURTHER READING/REFERENCES
For further reading, I read through 'Typographic design, form and communication," written by Rob Carter, Philip B. Meggs, Ben Day, Sandra Maxa, and Mark Sanders.
Fig 4.1 ; Book cover of Typographic design; form and communication (19/11/2021)
Function and expression
Functionalism - term used to describe the utilitarian and pragmatic qualities of designed objects. Functionalism in the early 20th century was generally equated with designed objects of clarity, purpose, and unornamented (lacking decoration) simplicity. It has since evolved as a subjective notion that varies widely across the needs of the audience and the objectives of the designer.
e.g (in terms of typographic design); if comfort in the design of a sofa is defined as being plush and cushioned, a Typographic design relating to a sofa may want to appear as being plush and cushioned as well.
Fig 4.2 ; An example of the above statement (19/11/2021)
In typography, function is the purposeful communication of information between the designer and a specific audience. Though the range of possible typographic design solutions are infinite, the appropriateness of a solution depends upon the purpose for which it was intended. Varying degrees of formal reduction or elaboration can be ways of solving specific typographic problems.
- Formal reduction - creates optimum clarity and legibility. Orderly presentation guides the eye from one element to another, preserves the reader's attention.
Expressionism - Accomplishes its purpose through formal elaboration and ornamentation, creates visual impact. When appropriate, attention can be given to experimental, expressive, and ornamented designs. Ornaments serve a variety of needs; due to it being semiotic, iconographic, and historical, it identifies the object of which it is associated (visual association).
Expressive, and ornamental typographic forms place objects in time, reveals their purpose, and clarifies structure. Innovative typography can emerge when a designer fully understands communication needs, and is able to assimilate a diversity of visual ideas.
Fig 4.3 ; An example of Expressionism (19/11/2021)
A designer can avoid conventional solutions to typographic problems when innovation is appropriate. A single approach to a typographical design, induced by stylistic conventions, and predetermined formulas, is a design that lacks the vitality of meaningful typographic invention.
For typography to be truly functional, satisfying the needs of an audience, a designer must understand both verbal and visual attributes of a typographic message.
Bell in (Fig 1.1) obtained from; https://www.shutterstock.com/image-vector/set-cute-christmas-stickers-kawaii-vector-1591338682
Santa Sleigh (Fig 1.2) obtained from; https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/empty-santa-sleigh-with-snowflakes-holly-and-lamp-vector-22380928
Color palette (Fig 2.0) obtained from; https://www.schemecolor.com/christmas-hex-color-codes.php
Color palette (Fig 2.0) obtained from; https://www.schemecolor.com/christmas-hex-color-codes.php
Snowflakes used in Final (Fig 3.2) obtained from; http://clipart-library.com/clipart/pToArjn9c.htm
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