Typography / Task 2 / Typographic Exploration & Communication

12.5.2023 - 30.5.2023 (Week 6 - Week 9)
Elysa Wee Qi En / 0355060 / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University
Typography
Task 2 / Typographic Exploration & Communication

Contents:

• Lectures
• Instructions 
• Submissions
• Task 1: Exercises
• Task 2: Typographic Exploration and Communication
• Task 3: Type Design and Communication
• Feedback
• Reflection
• Further Reading

LECTURE

Lecture notes found here.

INSTRUCTIONS

Fig. 1. Module Information Booklet (12/5/2023)

Task 2: Typographic Exploration and Communication

For this task, we had to express one of three texts provided to us in a 2-page editorial spread, one page being 200mm x 200mm. We were allowed to express the title in Adobe Illustrator if we saw fit, but the main layout had to be completed in Adobe InDesign. No images and only minor graphical elements were allowed. This felt like a combination of the two exercises in task 1. 

Fig. 2.1. Initial design idea sketches (29/5/2023)

I started out by planning some rough design ideas for the titles of all three texts given to see which would work out better. My favourites of the drafts are designs 4 and 6. I ended up choosing 'The role of Bauhaus thought on modern culture' as I found that text resonated the most with me, so I began the process of digitisation. 

Fig. 2.2. Digitised Initial Ideas (2 & 6) (29/5/2023)

I digitised idea 6, which was supposed to express a 3D building, but it felt too boring. Therefore I decided to attempt idea 2 to see how it would turn out, and I ended up really liking it. Then I got the idea to combine both ideas, and I overlayed both versions. 

Fig. 2.3. Development of first draft (29/5/2023)

The next step was to create the layout. The layout idea I sketched was very vague, and I ended up changing many details. I went with only two columns instead of three as the line length and text size worked better this way, and I decided to add some grey rectangles to add some visual appeal and prevent the design from being too boring. These graphical elements relate well to the content of the text as well, since the Bauhaus was an art school that introduced abstract and geometrical themes. 

I positioned them this way as I felt it reflected the theme of art well. It also helped balance the layout and fill some of the negative space.

Fig. 2.4. Experimenting with different designs and fonts (30/5/2023)

Since I liked my other version of the title expression as well, I decided to see what it would look like with the layout I had. At first I changed the fonts used, but they did not provide enough distinction between the title and the lead-in text, and the body text was harder to read with the grey rectangles in the background due to the width of the letters. So I experimented again with that second logo with the same fonts that I used in the original draft, and it was much better. 

Fig. 2.5. Further exploration (30/5/2023)

After receiving feedback, I shifted the placement of the last line of the title and the lead-in text to allow for better flow of reading. I also added a line to further separate them and create distinction. 

I was now happy with the layout, and it was time to decide which title expression to go with. In the end I settled with the second version, as it better showcased the message of the text. Since it was about celebrating the developments in art that stemmed from the Bauhaus, and since the part that struck me most about the story of the school is how they resisted the Nazis and preferred to cease operations than cooperate with them, I felt showcasing the more 'artistic' version of the title fit better. 

Fig. 2.6. A bit of further experimentation (28/5/2023)

I then wondered if the weight of the spread was too unbalanced, so I tried changing the saturation of the grey rectangles to see if it would help. I ended up preferring the original version however, so I stuck with that for my final submission.

FINAL Typographic Exploration

Margins: 12 mm
Gutter: 7 mm

Head
Font: Univers LT Std, Futura Std, Gill Sans Std

Body
Font: Serifa Std
Type Size: 10 pt
Leading: 12.5 pt
Paragraph spacing: 12.5 pt
Characters per-line: 53
Alignment: Align left

Fig. 3.1. Typographic Exploration Final (28/5/2023)

Fig. 3.2. Typographic Exploration Final (PDF) (28/5/2023)

Fig. 3.3. Typographic Exploration Final w/ guides (28/5/2023)

Fig. 3.4. Typographic Exploration Final w/ guides (PDF) (28/5/2023)

FEEDBACK

Week 6
General feedback:
- Try to keep fonts similar so viewer can relate pages to each other
- Keep the title design related to words/ text and easily identifiable
- Keep the title design simple yet eye-catching
- Even spacing is very important

Week 7
General Feedback:
- For task 3, can use Fontshare or Google Fonts to choose a font
- For task 2, title should have a strong stance

Specific Feedback:
- For task 1, ragging should be adjusted to look more like left-aligned and less justified. Current layout leads the viewer's eye off the page, so should be tweaked. Make first two columns same length and the last column shortest, keeping the title and image on the same side. Can change image size if need more balanced weight. Alternatively, add a small peak of the image in the right margin. 

REFLECTIONS

Experience
This exercise was fun as we had a little more liberty with graphical elements than in Task 1, and we were also tasked with making a layout that spanned across two pages, which meant more space to work with but also more space to fill up, while still following the recommended amount of characters per line. I also think it was interesting to try to convey not just a specific word but the whole content of the text through the title design and the graphical elements. 

Observations
I saw the importance of trying out different ideas in the digitisation process, like how I created four different versions of the title design to see what worked best. I even put these different designs into similar layouts with small changes and played around with typefaces to see which would match the best. This kind of experimentation creates different options, so the final design is more likely to be one of the best ideas you come up with. Trial and error really is a good method. 

Findings
Understanding the meaning of what you're trying to convey and design is important, as it can not only make the process easier, but can also inspire you to come up with good ideas, especially ones that are related to your text. After reading articles and doing adequate research, I was able to better grasp the concept of the Bauhaus, and this no doubt helped me convey a much clearer and more meaningful message in the title design. 

FURTHER READING

Week 7: History.com Editors: Bauhaus 

Fig. 4.1. 'Bauhaus', article from History.com (7/7/2023)

This is an article detailing the general history of the Bauhaus, the art school and movement in Germany back in 1919. It talks about the struggles that were faced by the school and its staff amidst the mess of World War 2 and trying to stay active despite harassment from the Nazis. 

Fig. 4.2. Section 'End of the Bauhaus' (7/7/2023)

This section was the main reason I went with the title design that I did. It represents the creativity and love for art that shone threw the dark times of war and inspired others to create despite a powerful force trying to get them to surrender. They stood firm, following their morals and boldly going against the Nazis.