Study Task 05: Studio Brief 2 - Research

Contextual Research

 

Modular Typography

Geometric or modular typography good way for graphic designers experimenting with type design – beginners – dissatisfied with the limits of commercial fonts at the time – simple – strict rules – construction – some more legible than others – design challenge – problem solving – e.g. Fonstruct – easy and accessible – Latin alphabet does not only use modular elements – when set in lines of text – faults more visible – when rules applied – lose subtle details – and relationships between white space and stroke widths – certain characters look great in isolation – look odd in a block of text – applying the same rules to each letter won’t always fit

Balance – needed – characters should not be top heavy

Widths – modular type often uses same width – creates different white space inside each character –

The joins – points where two strokes cross or meet – joins clog up – heavy area appears – needs to be trimmed from the inside – to push the curve down

S’s – hard to balance two open counters – placing two circular halves together – leaves a kink in the middle – needs to be smoothed to create one stroke

Stroke widths – horizontal and vertical strokes should not be the same thickness – horizontal strokes look thickest

Overshoot – circle same height as square – appears smaller – optical illusion – curve needs to increase in size – seems level with horizontal lines

Spacing – circles and squares equally spaced apart – squares appear closer than rounded – extra space needed between square shapes to achieve balance  

  

Letraset Transfers

Letraset produced instant dry transfer typefaces

Enabled people to set their own display type without the need for expensive materials

Used by both designers and the public – allowed DIY graphic design

As well as typefaces letraset produced graphic signs, symbols and shapes

To create the transfers letters were screenprinted onto the back of a polyethelene carrier sheet and then overprinted with a low tack adhesive

Guidelines on the transfers allowed for easier alingnment however much was done by eye

Increased understanding of kerning and letterspacing

Initially there could be problems with letters breaking or bubbling due to  exposure to dust etc.

Letracolour were whole sheets of coloured transfer paper which stencils could be cut from

Instantex was a shading medium which allowed for adding tone and texture to designs. They were non-mechanical in appearance and allowed creative control for the user.

Drafting Stencils

Drafting templates are used when the same shape is to be used multiple times

They are flat pieces of plastic which basic shapes are cut from

They are useful for architectural drawings as other specific symbols were created

Stencils of letters are also available

The tool saves time when compared with having to measure shapes out using traditional tool e.g. compass and ruler

The tool is consistently very accurate making them reliable

Calligraphy Pens

Pointed Nibs – used for script – very fine pointed nib – elastic – stroke width can be varied – pressure during writing – only apply pressure on the down strokes – nib get stuck on the paper

Chiseled Nibs – for classic calligrapy stiles – slanted straight tip – tip is always broad – don’t need change the angle of the writing hand – down strokes get a broad stroke – sideways get a thin stroke – nibs have an ink resovior – don’t have to dip them as often as pointed nibs – don’t flex at all – broaest stroke the width of the nib

Poster nib – bigger and broader – used for bigger formats – smooth tip – can be pushed upwards when writing  - integrated ink resovior – use a lot of ink while writing

Round or Monoline nibs – angled plate at the tip  - steady and monoline stroke – nibs very smooth and flow well when writing – uniform writing style – twist the nib vary the stroke width

Drawing nibs – fine and pointy – for fine lines and hatching – best for drawing –

Ballpoint nibs – round ball at the tip – smooth and easy – robust – produce thick and consistent lines – slightly flexible ballpoint nibs

Unusual nibs

Double line nibs – divided in the middle – lines vary depending on nib

Square ballpoint nibs – small plate at the tip – square – produce a line with defined corners

Music nibs and music ruling nibs – music nibs - three tine – very elastic – ink flows well – originally for writing musical notes down – music ruling nibs – draw the musical stave – five little tips – drawing ornaments

Drawing Pen – more for graphic uses – drawing straight lines or circles – two tines – tines regulated by adjusting the screw – ink applied to tines  - robust – classic for graphic designers, draughtsman and cartographers

Bamboo Pen – pointed bamboo stick – lively flowing lines – write fast with them – dip them often – smooth write