Leong Jia En (0348366) Bachelor of Creative Media Design (Minor)
Typography
Task 2
Lectures
Instructions
Task 2: Text Formatting and Expression
Visual Research
For Task 2, we were required to create a 2-page editorial spread (200 x 200) using the provided text. Images or colors are not allowed, but minor graphic elements, i.e. lines, shade, etc., may be allowed. We will use Adobe InDesign to typeset and express the text, and Adobe Illustrator also is allowed for title expression. I chose the topic of "follow the code" to create text formatting and expressions. Before I started sketching, I researched on Pinterest to learn and observe some excellent layout compositions.
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| Fig 1.0 References: https://pin.it/4ZJVeYk (1/10/2022) |
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| Fig 1.2 References: https://pin.it/5BdMRNy (1/10/2022) |
Idea Exploration
Sketches
After I did some research, I started sketching ideas in procreate and drafting some headlines in Illustrator. I come up with three layouts and focused on the type expression first. For layouts #1 and #3, I focused on "follow" and using arrows to express the type meaning, while layout #2 focused on "code", changing "C" to the symbol "<" while creating the feeling of an arrow.
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| Fig 2 Sketches (2/10/2022) |
Layout Progress
After receiving feedback from Mr. Vinod and my peers, I started formatting the text and improving some of the suggested layouts. In the idea#1 sketch, I received feedback from Mr. Vinod regarding the lack of white space. One of my classmates mentioned that the reading flow was unclear because she was confused that she should read from the left page to the right page, or from the text frame pointed by the arrow. Overall, idea #1 is interesting but still has room for improvement.
The first layout was my initial idea and I found the text are too full and there wasn't enough space for it as Mr. Vinod mentioned before. Hence, I tried several layouts to improve the balance of space. I am more satisfied with layout #4 as it has more space to breathe and looks more balance.
In the idea #2 sketch, the feedback I received came mainly from "C" type expressions. The symbol of < indicating C and the headline is an arrow is not obvious if not specifically mentioned. In layout #2, I tried to add an arrow shape behind the headline to make it more obvious. In layout #3 I tried to change the symbol < back to the original C font to evaluate whether it was more harmonious.
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For idea #3, I adjusted the top and left margins wider and changed the font of "ollow" from "Univers Bold Condensed" to "Univers Bold" to make the overall look better.
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Hidden characters and alignment
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| Fig 4.0 Hidden characters and alignment of idea #1 (14/10/2022) |
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Fig 4.1 Hidden characters and alignment of idea #2 (14/10/2022) |
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Fig 4.2 Hidden characters and alignment of idea #3 (14/10/2022) |
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Idea #1
HEAD
Font/s: Univers LT Std 67 Bold Condensed and Univers LT Std 67 Bold Condensed Oblique
Type Size/s: 155pt and 43pt
Leading: 26pt
Paragraph spacing: 26pt
BODY
Font/s: ITC New Baskerville Std Roman
Type Size/s: 11pt
Leading: 13pt
Paragraph spacing: 13pt
Characters per-line: 50
Alignment: Justify with last line aligned left
Margins: Top 13mm Bottom 10mm Inside 7mm Outside 10mm
Columns: 2
Gutter: 7 mm
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| Fig 5.1 Layout for idea #2 (14/10/2022) |
Idea #2
HEAD
Font/s: Univers LT Std 67 Bold Condensed
Type Size/s: 140pt and 90pt
Leading: 26pt
Paragraph spacing: 26pt
BODY
Font/s: ITC New Baskerville Std Roman
Type Size/s: 11pt
Leading: 13pt
Paragraph spacing: 13pt
Characters per-line: 41
Alignment: Justify with last line aligned left
Margins: Top 12.7mm Bottom 12.7mm Inside 12.7mm Outside 12.7mm
Columns: 2
Gutter: 5 mm
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| Fig 5.2 Layout for idea #3 (14/10/2022) |
Idea #3
HEAD
Font/s: Univers LT Std 47 Light Condensed, Univers LT Std 65 Bold and Univers LT Std 67 Bold Condensed
Type Size/s: 350pt, 134pt and 110pt
Leading: 26pt
Paragraph spacing: 26pt
BODY
Font/s: ITC New Baskerville Std Roman
Type Size/s: 11pt
Leading: 13pt
Paragraph spacing: 13pt
Characters per-line: 50
Alignment: Justify with last line aligned left
Margins: Top 8mm Bottom 7mm Inside 0mm Outside 11mm
Columns: 2
Gutter: 5 mm
Final Outcome
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| Fig 6.0 Final Outcome (14/10/2022) |
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| Fig 6.1 Final Outcome with Grid (14/10/2022) |
PDF- Final Outcome (14/10/2022)
PDF- Final Outcome with Grid (14/10/2022)
Feedback
Week 6
General Feedback: It is important to leave plenty of white space and don't have to fill the entire page with elements and text.
Specific Feedback: The layout 1 idea is interesting but should be aware of white space. For layout 2, the C looks like V, and not obvious is an arrow if not specifically mentioned about it. For layout 3, the F upper line and THE CODE can move slightly down to leave more space below. The right margin also can adjust more space.
Reflection
Experience
I found this exercise more challenging compared to the previous exercise as we need to express the title and consider the integration of body text. At the same time, make them interesting and make sure of their readability and also have a balance of white space. I struggled with creating different layouts in order to make a good balance of white space. This task was a good experience as I gained more knowledge about the general requirements in layout design and the arrangement of text.
Observations
It was a great experience to have a peer evaluation to learn from each other's artwork. By observing and criticizing one's work, we could improve our observation and revise the theory we have learned. In addition, I have observed the importance of white space when arranging text in order to let the entire artwork breathe.
Findings
Through this project, I found that creating a layout design is not an easy process as it has many little details to pay attention to. I also realized the importance of doing research and reading as it helped me improve my analytical skills, broaden my knowledge and inspire new ideas.
Further Reading
Thinking with Type, 2nd revised and expanded edition: A Critical Guide for Designers, Writers, Editors, & Students by Ellen Lupton
I continue reading <<Thinking With Type>> to learn more about text hierarchy and grids. Hierarchy helps the reader focus on the most important parts of the text. It allows readers to navigate easily, knowing where to start and where to go next based on the hierarchy of the text. To establish a clear hierarchy, we should identify which elements require the reader's attention and make them stand out. We can do this with bolder styles, different fonts, colors, or larger text sizes.
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In addition, we also should use design grids to make every little detail of our text design very professional. It will help us create visually harmonious compositions and easily align elements of text composition. It is important to keep in mind that we don't have to fill the entire page with elements and text. It's always a good idea to leave plenty of white space. It will let the text breathe and help readers grasp important information.
The simplest grid is a single column. The column can be centered, leaving equal margins on all sides. Since books and magazines are open with pages next to each other, we should design pages as spreads. We can mirror these pages to balance them, which also allows us to change the size of the padding and margins. Asymmetrical designs can be very interesting if we manage to balance the page against other contrasts.
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Then, to make a multi-column grid, we can create horizontal and vertical zones by placing horizontal and vertical grid lines using a specific pattern. Some of them can be filled in, and others should be left blank for balance. The finer the mesh, the more flexibility we have. A common application of a multi-column grid is when text and images are to be displayed together. We can split them up and put them in separate columns, or put the text in separate columns and let the images flow with them. We can reserve a vertical area for headings and notes, while the body text "hangs" on a common horizontal line.
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