Study Task 8 - Final Outcome

Rationale and Reference to Research

The outcome is a A5 sketchbook of original grid systems which can be used to create modular typography. The grids are made up of basic geometric shapes which are rotated and layered to form modules. All the grids allow for modular construction in all directions and allow flow between modules. As a result of overlapping the geometric shapes to create the modules this also provides further shapes and more possibilities to create with.

The cover design aims to be neutral and appealing to both genders aswell as a range of abilities through the use of colour and minimalist design. The design on the cover was created through layering a module from each of the grids within the book to create a simple design that reflected the content of the sketchbook and placed emphasis on the grids within. The logotype has geometric elements derived from Futura such as a circular ‘O’, whilst uses the uniformity of Helvetica to
reflect a regularity and modular block appearance. Helvetica’s ‘D’ was adapted to better reflect the   curvature seen in Futuras ‘O’. The terminals in Helvetica’s ‘S’ were shortened so they curved less and looked more angular. Uppercase letterforms have straighter forms when compared with lowercase so better reflect the blocky, modularity of the grids within the sketchbook. 

The format aims to encourage experimentation through the traditional sketching  process as a way of generating ideas for modular typography. The gridded structure and restrictions of the shapes forces the user to work in a certain way however the grids provide many possibilities, as well as being flexible enough to be adapted in new ways. During research it was found that there were many digital tools and creators for modular typography online such as Fontstruct,however little in the way of creating this kind of typography easily in a traditional sense. 

Grid systems available are restricted to a few, which then have to heavily adapted to create modular type from. Instead the sketchbook aims to bring physical modular experimentation into a compact format.  

The work uses a compact and familiar format that designers, from all levels of professionalism will have worked with, making it easily understood. It allows for easy modification of designs and encourages hand rendered sketching, making it physically engaging,  rather than a focus on the finished product. This traditional approach to design increases fundamental skills and allows for a better knowledge of the make up of letterforms, whilst encouraging problem solving through the use of constraints. The tool allows multiple letterforms to be created through the variety of shapes within each grid. This also provides the user the ability to construct full alphabets, the consistency of which would be determined by the level of restriction applied.

The outcome aims to increase engagement with experimental the experimental creation of type, through the use of a traditional process. Chen Design Associates agree that designers are more engaged with the process of making when using analogue techniques and that this connection is retained within the work.

The work acts as an alternative to digital tools for modular typography online, such as Fonstruct and updates the familiar format of grids, allowing for a DIY approach to design, aswell as removing the need for expensive materials. This availability of a traditional technique to create typography contrasts Beirut (1994) who suggests 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.

It was suggested by Odling - Smee that designers have lost an understanding of the basis tools and principles that they are using as graphic designers. The outcome uses a traditional approach to design which improves fundamental skills by increasing understanding of typographic forms, encouraging problems solving through grid restrictions and promoting idea generation through sketching.