Essay Paragraph Notes
The aim of the project was to create a tool designers could
use to create more experimental typography. The outcome produced is a
sketchbook of original grid systems which can be used to create modular
letterforms.
Analysis against context and reading
Focus to
increase experimental design in typography – engage more with process – Chen
Design Associates – designers more engaged with the process of making
- Creative Bloq – comments how improvisation within handmade
techniques leads to more interesting results as the designer becomes responsive
and influenced by the process of the work, meaning there is less control
Working with grids – creates structure – restrictions – less
control but more control in some senses-
but flexible – sketchbook format encourages experimentation – not a
focus on the end product – supposed to be used in a rough way – sketchbooks
seen as initial ideas – less pressure – hand-drawn easily adaptable – create
multiple variations quickly and easily – grid system provides prompts –
restriction encourage problem solving especially when trying to create a full
alphabet so it is consistent – control over which parts to use – after which
grids and structure provides control for continuing the design
- Chen design associates suggest that designers are more
engaged with the process of making when using analogue techniques and this
connection is retained within the work
Interactive – need to engage with piece in order to use it –
physically drawing
Mass distribution of digital design 1970s - Odling Smee
comments on how this type of design became a mass market style that was seen
everywhere with little individual personality at the time , which led to the
rise in experimental techniques
- Font Generator
The use of such a format makes the viewer feel more
engaged with the work, and as an object it would encourage interaction and play
through curiosity and interest, as well as previous understanding.
The designer hands over creative responsibility to the
viewer allowing them to take ownership of the tool to create their own work. As
Hubner et al (2009) infers, involvement with a physical work creates an
experience for the viewer. By creating things for themselves this evokes a
sense of achievement and provides an experience making the work more
meaningful.
Rise of
digital design – decline in skill – increase understanding – encourage
traditional
- Use of constraints – in designing – design challenge –
encourages problem solving
- Traditional approach to design – increases fundamental
skills – better knowledge of the make up and forms of letters
- Understanding of typographic forms – forces designers to
consider characteristics across an alphabet
- Using modular typography – difficulties when designing a whole
typeface – characteristics need to be balanced – certain letterforms need
adjusting – if to be readable – creating certain letters much harder – curved
letters need to be slightly bigger to look the same size as other squarer
letters –
Increase understanding – Beirut et al has written that
within typography, traditionalists predict a decline in standards with the
increased accessibility of digital tools which allow typography to be made and
used by anyone
- Grids use modular typography – sketching designs allows
better understanding of the composition of letterforms – difficulties with
modular type – problem solving needed – adjustments needed e.g. balance etc –
when creating passages of text – need to understand kerning etc
- More skill – Odling Smee accessibility to computers has led
to drawing skills being replaced by computers, which has meant the craft within
the creation of the work has been lost, reducing respect for the design process
– use of pre - created design elements ‘are often a camouflage for a lack of
creativity’ and mean designers have lost an understanding of the basic tools
and principles within graphic design creation.
- ‘Designers
have lost an understanding of the basic tools and principles that they are
using as graphic designers’
Bodoni Typeface - Maker created the tool and mapped out each
individual letter – will have an intimate knowledge of the typeface and its
anatomy – the machine mechanics created by her allow complete understanding and
control over the tool – not always the case with computers as a majority of
people do not know the complete workings of the tools they use
- Creating own typography – something original – not just
using standard typefaces
DIY
approach – limit need for computers – many type generators – bring into
familiar format – not expensive or need for specialist equipment – format
already used
- Encourages hand rendered sketching rather than a focus on
the finished product
- Bierut et al suggested that digital tools allow typography
to be used and made by anyone, whereas in contrast handmade design needs
specialist materials and tools which are not easily accessible
Sketchbook format – frequently used in design community –
traditional analogue technique – accessible
- Font Generator
Bierut (1994) suggested that digital tools allow
typography to be used and made by anyone, whereas in contrast handmade design
needs specialist materials and tools which are not easily accessible. However,
in this case it is shown that through a DIY approach, simple tools for creating
handmade typography can be produced making typography accessible in this way
also. This being said computers remain the most widespread and mainstream tool
within the industry because of their versatility and ability to perform
multiple functions.
- Risatti
writes about Aristotle and his groupings of knowledge, theoria or theoretical
knowledge , praxis or pratical knowledge and poiesis which is knowledge of
making, producing and creating something – provides format that is used and
simple to use for a variety of people – basic approach to typography – little
understanding needed – how to work a grid – common knowledge – has practical
and theoretical knowledge – can draw easily – no skill needed apart from
drawing – modular type basic – formulate basic concepts easily – room for more
eleaborate designing for the more experienced
Combination of techniques needed –
combine – digital and handmade - needed to make final - handmade for generation – create something different –
‘reactionary use of tech’
- Creative Bloq suggests that through improvisation and adaptation
digital and handmade can inform and work together to create interesting design
Tool primarily used for experimentation and exploring initial
ideas – once frame work achieved – design would need to be refined and
digitalised on the computer – so it can be used more widely – can make further
alterations – e.g. to increase legibility etc – most probably would be used in
conjunction with the computer to create the final outcome - creating standardised grid system scale –
helps transfer of design to computer – know the scale will be the same –
initial use of restrictions leads to more original and exciting outcomes later
one – helps with the generation of ideas
Analysis against the brief
Bring
the construction of type into a physical format
- Compact and familiar format for designers
- Encourages hand rendered sketching rather than a focus on
the finished product
By
engaging physically with the process of creating the work, more
control,understanding and experimentation during the process , more original
outcomes
- Flexibility – can adapt them further – gives designer
creative control over how they want to use them – use of multiple elements
allows for creative choice over which bits are used or ignored
- Understanding of typographic forms – forces designers to
consider characteristics across an alphabet
- Encourages interaction – physical interaction with piece –
created for designers to use
Allow
construction of multiple letterforms
- Restrictions and rules can be applied – to create
consistency across the designs
- Overlapping shapes – more options to play with – able to use
in multiple directions – reflecting and layering allows for more outcomes –
easier to create reflected type
- Full alphabet constructed out of each grid – consistency
determined by level of restriction used between elements
Compact
to increase practicality and ease of use
- Thicker lines improve usability – breaks grids up into
modules – easier to visualise – could have thicker lines for shapes rather than
modules
Suitable
for a range of ages and degrees of professionalism
- Format suitable for students and professionals
- Compact and familiar format for designers
- Use of modular format provides a way experimenting with type
design – suitable as an introductory into type design – suitable for range of
audience
- Sketchbook format – appropriate for all levels of
professionalism – something they already work with – understood and easy to use
- Some designs may be more complicated to find type from
- Neutral look – applicable for a wider audience
Should
be able to be physically engaged with in order to create typography
Engage
them with the experimental construction of type
- Some designs may be more complicated to find type from
allows for adaptation and easy modification
- Although structured grid system – variety of possible
outcomes – flexible enough to be used in an experimental way
- Options for construction – from geometric forms – can be as
simple or elaborate as possible
- More elaborate designs – allow for more abstract designs
