Advanced Typography: TASK 1 Exercises

[ 23/04/25- 07/05/25] (Week1- Week4)

[ Ng Jia Xuan / 0375273 ]

[ Advanced Typography ]

[ Task 1: Exercises ]

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TABLE OF CONTENT

1. Lectures
2. Instructions
3. Exercise 1
4. Exercise 2
5. Feedback
6. Reflection
7. Further Reading

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1. LECTURES

LECTURE 1 (WEEK 1): 

Typographic Systems:

-Complex, as it relies on communication in order to work 

(Additional criteria: hierarchy, order of reading, contrast etc) 

-Similar to shape grammar 

(Has a set of rules) 

* We might felt our intuition is taken away as we are taught to follow these rules but having a guide is not a bad thing for a new learner. After we get more mature and familiar with these knowledge our intuition grows and we will be able to use intuition more!!

EIGHT major variations:

1. Axial

Fig 1.1: Axial, Week 1 (23/042025)
Credit: Typography Systems by Kimberly Elam

 Using a line to organize the elements (Place them beside the line).

2. Radial

Fig 1.2: Radial, Week 1 (23/042025)
Credit: Typography Systems by Kimberly Elam

Elements extend and spread out from the focus point (I will say it is similar to a fan)

3. Dilatational

Fig 1.3: Dilatational, Week 1 (23/042025)
Credit: Typography Systems by Kimberly Elam

Elements expand from the central point in a circular manner 

4. Random

Fig 1.4: Random, Week 1 (23/042025)
Credit: Typography Systems by Kimberly Elam

No specific pattern or relationship (It is random but still it has a method to create)

5. Grid

Fig 1.5: Grid, Week 1 (23/042025)
Credit: Typography Systems by Kimberly Elam

A system of vertical and horizontal divisions (Same energy with the Rule of Thirds)

6. Modular

Fig 1.6: Modular, Week 1 (23/042025)
Credit: Typography Systems by Kimberly Elam

Construct a series of non-objective elements as a standardized units and you can move them freely.

*In my understanding, I will say organize them into different section and put them into different boxes (that needs to be calculated properly). 

7. Transitional

Fig 1.7: Transitional, Week 1 (23/042025)
Credit: Typography Systems by Kimberly Elam

An informal system of layered banding

*What is banding?= Isolating informations within certain bands

8. Bilateral

Fig 1.8: Bilateral, Week 1 (23/042025)
Credit: Typography Systems by Kimberly Elam

Arrange the text symmetrically on a single axis

*It can be various/different angle axis

Readability still come in first place, make sure to pick the most suitable systems

Typography plays a visual role too, make it interesting by using different layout, system and more! 

LECTURE 2 (WEEK 2): 

Rule of Thirds:

Fig 1.9: The Rule of Thirds, Week 2 (30/04/2025)

-Divide the frame into 3 columns & 3 rows, and the intersecting lines are used as guide to place the focal point.

*Grid is the most used Typographic system.

[Termed as the Swiss (Modernist) style of Typography]

Other models/System:

Environment Grid

Fig 1.10: Environment Grid, Week 2 (30/04/2025)

-Based on the exploration of an existing structure or various structure combined.

-Extraction of crucial lines (Curve & straight) are formed.

Form & Movement:

Fig 1.11: Form & Movement, Week 2 (30/04/2025)

-Based on the exploration of Grid Systems (Developed by Mr Vinod)

-The grid that offer multiple option+Banish the surrounding line of a grid+A slowed down animation when turning pages slowly

-When you keep turning/switching the page with form on it creates a movement

LECTURE 3 (WEEK 3): 

Handwriting:

-It's important because the 1st mechanically produced letterforms were designed to imitate handwriting.

-It becomes the basis or standard for form, spacing & conventions mechanical type would try & mimic.

-The shape & line are influenced by the tools & materials used to make them

(Charcoal sticks, plant stems, brushes etc)

-Additional factors included the material upon which forms were written.

(Clay, animal skin, paper etc)

Fig 1.12: Evolution of the Latin Alphabet, Week 3 (04/05/2025)

Ideogram (Pictorial representation) > Foundation Letter (Based on sound)

Cuneiform:

Fig 1.13: Cuneiform, Week 3 (04/05/2025)

-Earliest system of actual writing

-Distinctive wedge: Pressing the blunt end of a reed stylus into wet clay tablets

Movable Type:

This innovation was pioneered in China (Unsuccessful due to the number of characters & using clay) but achieved in Korea (Establish a foundry to cast movable type in bronze) and it was established before the earliest printing in Europe.

*Why we are not talking about Egyptian or Near Eastern influence on Greece?

-Western didn't give enough credit to Egyptian. The rise of the modern British Empire causing it is out of style to credit Africa. 

It is important that we should understand history instead of forgetting about them, we should kept them alive.   

Evolution of Middle Eastern Alphabets:

Fig 1.14: Evolution of Middle Eastern Alphabets, Week 3 (04/05/2025)

Fig 1.15: The Evolution of the Chinese Script, Week 3 (04/05/2025)

Fig 1.16: The Indus Valley Civilization script, Week 3 (04/05/2025)

-The oldest writing found in the "Indian"

Fig 1.17: The Brahmi Script, Week 3 (04/05/2025)

-The earliest writing system developed in India after the Indus script.

-One of the most influential writing systems

Oldest writing system in Southeast Asia: Indian scripts

*The most important would be Pallava (A south Indian script priginally used for writing Sanskrit & Tamil)

Local Movements & Individuals

We have to be rich in history & culture knowledge in order to develop instead of blindly appropriating cultures and developments that have no context.

Use your context for creativity. Observing our surroundings & exploration of our collective histories.

LECTURE 4 (WEEK 4): 

Designing Type:

Frutiger by Adrian Frutiger:

Fig 1.18: Frutiger, Week 4 (12/05/2025)

Purpose: Create a clean, distinctive & legible typeface

Verdana by Matthew Carter:

Fig 1.19: Verdana, Week 4 (12/05/2025)

Purpose: Extremely legible even at very small sizes on the screen

Bell Centennial by Matthew Carter:

Fig 1.20: Bell Centennial, Week 4 (12/05/2025)

Purpose: The paper for printing phonebook is rough, causing the words get blurry (especially the vector between letters such as M). To solve this issue, he invented ink trap (The small extra space in the counter form). The extra ink will cover up the ink trap, and the letters look normal & not blurry.

Johnston Underground by Edward Johnston:

Fig 1.21: Johnston Underground, Week 4 (12/05/2025)

General Process of Type Design:

1. Research:

-Understand type history, type anatomy & type conventions, terminologies etc is important

*Knowing context, rules etc is important

-Determine your purpose/what it would be used for

*When you are clear, you can analyze, after analyzing you will understand the usage pattern

2. Sketching:

-Using traditional tools or digital tools are both correct, it's just depends on you.

3. Digitization:

-Attention should not only be given to the whole form but also to the counter form. The readability of the typeface depends on it.

4. Testing:

-Refining & correcting aspects of the typeface. Prototyping is also a part of the testing process & leads to important feedback.

5. Deploy:

-Even after deploying a completed typeface, there are always teething problems that didn't show during the prototyping and testing phases. Hence, the task of revision doesn't end upon deployment.

Typeface Construction & Considerations:

-Using grids can help you when constructing a letterform.

-Some of the letterforms are similar in shape & size, it helps when designing as you are able to use these construction parts in other letterforms.

-Visually, a circular form might look smaller beside a square form even they are in the same size because of real estate. Hence, visual correction is required. 

-The distance between letters also need a visual correction. The letters must be altered to a uniform "visual" white space, meaning the white space between the letters should be the same, this is called fitting.

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2. INSTRUCTIONS

Exercise 1: Typographic Systems

Content to put in Exercise 1:

The Design School,

Taylor’s University

All Ripped Up: Punk Influences on Design

or

The ABCs of Bauhaus Design Theory

or

Russian Constructivism and Graphic Design

Open Public Lectures:

June 24, 2021

Lew Pik Svonn, 9AM-10AM

Ezrena Mohd., 10AM-11AM

Suzy Sulaiman, 11AM-12PM

June 25, 2021

Lim Whay Yin, 9AM-10AM

Fahmi Reza, 10AM-11AM

Manish Acharia, 11AM-12PM

Lecture Theatre 12

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3. EXERCISE 1: Typographic System

WEEK 2: 

*For the title I choose "The ABCs of Bauhaus Design Theory"

3.1 Process Work

1. Axial

Fig 3.1.1: Axial System 1st attempt & 2nd attempt, Week 2 (30/04/2025)

In my first attempt, I used a more decorative font, but it felt a bit overwhelming, so I decided to change it.

2. Radial

Fig 3.1.2: Radial System 1st attempt & 2nd attempt, Week 2 (30/04/2025)

After receiving feedback, I changed the red and white color scheme, as it wasn’t working well. In addition, the title wasn’t aligned with the radial system. Therefore, I made a new attempt, placing the title at the center of the radial. I also grouped the date, lecturer, and time information more closely together to form a unified block, separating them from the other details.

3. Dilatational

Fig 3.1.3: Dilatational System 1st attempt & 2nd attempt, Week 2 (30/04/2025)

My problem is I tend to focus too much on the design, letting my focus point got distracted  (June 2021 is definitely not the most important information) and my information wasn't in 12 pt size. For the last and 2nd attempt I have changed the rest of the text smaller, adding a small yellow point on the title to emphasize the title more.

4. Random

Fig 3.1.4: Random System 1st attempt & 2nd attempt, Week 2 (30/04/2025)

My concept was to show the word falling down and turning into a dump. Mr. Vinod suggested making the bottom look messier, as the first attempt appeared too boxy.

5. Grid

Fig 3.1.5: Grid System 1st attempt & 2nd attempt, Week 2 (30/04/2025)

My first attempt wasn’t balanced, so I decided to create a new version.

6. Modular

Fig 3.1.6: Modular System 1st attempt & 2nd attempt, Week 2 (30/04/2025)

My first attempt was completely off, as the box sizes were miscalculated and couldn't move freely (up, down, left, or right) like building blocks. In the second attempt, I designed it like a staircase to guide the viewer’s eye through the content.

7. Transitional

Fig 3.1.7: Transitional System 1st attempt & 2nd attempt, Week 2 (30/04/2025)

After receiving feedback from Mr. Vinod, I realized that I was relying too much on design elements. So, I removed them and shifted my focus to the content. I also changed the red color to yellow (as suggested by a friend), since the red and black contrast appeared somewhat messy.

8. Bilateral

Fig 3.1.8: Bilateral System 1st attempt & 2nd attempt, Week 2 (30/04/2025)

Since the first attempt was considered “Multiple Bilateral,” I adjusted the layout by using only one axis on the artboard.

3.2 Final Outcome

Fig 3.2.1: Axial System, Week 2 (30/04/2025)

Fig 3.2.2: Radial System, Week 2 (30/04/2025)

Fig 3.2.3: Dilatational System, Week 2 (30/04/2025)

Fig 3.2.4: Random System, Week 2 (30/04/2025)

Fig 3.2.5: Grid System, Week 2 (30/04/2025)

Fig 3.2.6: Modular System, Week 2 (30/04/2025)

Fig 3.2.7: Transitional System, Week 2 (30/04/2025)

Fig 3.2.8: Bilateral System, Week 2 (30/04/2025)

Fig 3.2.9: Typographic System Final, Week 2 (30/04/2025)

Fig 3.2.10: Typographic System Final With Grid, Week 2 (30/04/2025)

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4. EXERCISE 2: Type & Play

WEEK 3: 

4.1 Research

Attempt #1

Fig 4.1.1: Photo references, Week 3 (04/05/2025)

These are the photos that I find it interesting to dissect. Personally out of these four, I am interested in dragonfly & butterfly. I think it's fun to create a letterform that's have wings element. 

Fig 4.1.2: Dragonfly references, Week 3 (04/05/2025)

In the end, I choose dragonfly as my reference. I think dragonfly's wing is more complicated, having more potential to create fun stroke.

*But unfortunately, the dragonfly font is not working. I adjust it quite a few times but it is similar to either water or branch. So I gave up on this and start a new research.

Attempt #2

Fig 4.1.3: Wood log  references, Week 3 (05/05/2025)

4.2 Process

Fig 4.2.1: Tracing in Illustrator, Week 3 (05/05/2025)

Fig 4.2.2: Herculanum Font, Week 3 (05/05/2025)

I use Herculanum font to refine the shape and make sure the letters are visible. 

Fig 4.2.3: Progress of adjusting the letters, Week 3 (06/05/2025)

Using the reference as a guide, I adjust the letters shape & height. Making sure the letters are visible &  consistent. For the last adjustment, I make the letters bolder at one side thinner at the other and I add some small cracks on the letters.

Fig 4.2.4: Progress of adjusting the letters, Week 3 (06/05/2025)

Mr Vinod suggest adding more crack in the letters and some of my strokes are too sharp, it looks like the stroke never end, so I add more crack and adjust the pointy strokes.

A COMPILATION OF MY PROGRESSION:

Fig 4.2.5: Image & Extraction, Week 3 (05/05/2025)

Fig 4.2.6: Refining Progress, Week 3 (06/05/2025)

Fig 4.2.7: Extracted Letterforms (with baseline), Week 3 (05/05/2025)

Fig 4.2.8: Reference Fonts (with baseline), Week 3 (05/05/2025)

Fig 4.2.9: Final Outcome (with baseline), Week 3 (06/05/2025)

Fig 4.2.10: Comparison, Extracted (Top) Final (Bottom) , Week 3 (06/05/2025)

Fig 4.2.11: Progress Compilation PDF, Week 3 (06/05/2025)

4.3 Final Outcome

Fig 4.3.1: Final JPEG, Week 3 (07/05/2025)

Fig 4.3.2: Final PDF, Week 3 (07/05/2025)

Fig 4.3.3: Final (Individual) PDF, Week 3 (07/05/2025)

WEEK 4: 

4.4 Research

I decided to went a more cute animal, forest, Disney vibe.

Since my letters is extracted from wood crack, so I will use cracked wood log as my main object.

I have some ideation about the poster:

Fig 4.4.1: Reference for the ideation, Week 3 (8 May 2025)

1. Arrows shoot at the wood, and it cracks.

2. Similar to the previous one, but using an axe instead of arrows.

3. On the cracked wood, there are large and small bear handprints.
4. Shadows of animals surround the cracked log.

Fig 4.4.2: Reference for the 4th idea, Week 3 (08/05/2025) 

Fig 4.4.3: Reference for wood & shooting angle, Week 3 (08/05/2025) 

The FOURTH idea was chosen

It will be similar to the reference (Fig 4.4.2), but the shooting angle will be higher, so the cracked wood will be shown (Fig 4.4.3).

4.5 Process

Fig 4.5.1: Progression in Photoshop, Week 3 (08/05/2025) 

These are the elements that I need:

1. Cracked wood image

2. All kinds of animals silhouette

After finding the elements, I start to edit them in Photoshop. Using animals silhouette as shadow, using brush to draw more shadow (tighten up the composition) & add some color into the image.

Fig 4.5.2: Progression in Illustrator, Week 3 (08/05/2025) 

After finish editing, I compile my letters & background image that I made just now in Illustrator. Adding some logos and production crews in the poster.

Fig 4.5.3: Progression after getting feedback, Week 4 (14/05/2025)

Mr Vinod suggest adding more details around the crack to create a depth so I add some lighter brown around the crack (I try to make the details in Photoshop but it doesn't work quite well, so I just done in Illustrator). I adjusted my text too, in the previous version it is unreadable, so I changed it too are brighter color. To avoid the text distracting from the title, I reduced its transparency. In my previous version, the text area felt a bit awkward. It included both light and dark sections, making it difficult to find a suitable text color. So, following my friend's suggestion, I tightened the composition further.

4.6 Final Outcome

Fig 4.6.1: Final Outcome JPEG, Week 4 (14/05/2025)

Fig 4.6.2: Final Outcome PDF, Week 4 (14/05/2025)

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5. FEEDBACK

WEEK 1: 

General Feedback:

1. For some part can do in illustrator, but in the end it should be InDesign

2. Be concise and don't make the notes too long (Can compile it into a single photo fig)

3. For process photos please name it like this 'Fig_Description_Date'

WEEK 2: 

General Feedback: About exercise 1:

-Bilateral: Basically one axial line only

-Modular: You can move around, according the unit 

-Don’t divide your layout half, Prevent using 45 degrees

-Grey outline is needed when you show the compilation

-Design anything the core element doesn’t sit well, it is not done. Throwing too much design elements will be distracting 

-Looking at the graphic first instead of the content is not going to work 

-leads the viewer outside the work is bad, not kept the viewer 

-Is it aesthetically balance?

-Designer mistake: Too focus on the design, they tend to delete the content (Check before submitting!!)

-Make sure your content command the place, let the content in charge

-Contrast: Very little contrast in your work it won’t be readable

About Feedback:

-Pay attention to it, that’s where learning start

About the blog:

-Keep updating when you have a  process

-Backup is important

-Don’t have to completely follow, choose the one you think is good

Before begin the first thing to set: 

-The margin of the document (Create empty space, Decide what it’s look like, How to set? Based on the amount of content)

*Margin is critical

Specific Feedback:

-Radial:Curvature needs to be adjusted  the title is not radial, the red and white not working 

-Dilatational: 24 25 is too big, the focus need to be consider, throw away the color 

-Random: In the bottom look too straight 

-Transitional: Delete the design element 

-Grid: Is not balance 

-Modular: The size is not same, can’t move around (move it up and down left and right)

WEEK 3: 

General feedback:

-Don’t create point that never end

*You can create a small surface, it will look like a point but it end

How to make it smoother/reduce anchor point?

-Click pen tool> Smoothing tool OR Use minus anchor point tool + shift

Stroke modulation: Having both thick and thin in one stroke

For the poster:

Need to make it look like a real film either movie or documentary etc

Photoshop only use in image, text & layout pls use Illustrator

Specific Feedback:

-Need more crack, create a web

-Don’t create too much sharp point

WEEK 4: 

General feedback:

Briefing Task 2:

-READABILITY

-Choose one of your features, don’t think about adding a bunch of meaning to it

Specific Feedback:

-Title: Mimic the darkness of the crack (Gradient Nuance)

-Body Text: The text is not readable slight adjustment on it

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6. REFLECTION

Exercise 1: 

Experience:

It's the first exercise of this module. To be honest, it's quite overwhelming, since the schedule is quite packed and the pace feels fast for me.

Besides that, although I’ve done poster design in the past, which is somewhat related to typography systems, this is still a brand new experience for me. Personally, I think the "random" system is the most fun because it has no rules. I'm not a very neat person or rather, I'm not very good at applying rules. But of course, rules are essential. We need to learn the rules before breaking them. I'm still learning how to use rules effectively and constantly reminding myself that there are more rules I need to learn!

Observations & Findings:

Looks like I’m still quite new to the study of typography. Although I have experience in making posters, I haven’t really learned about these systems before. In other words, I haven’t paid much attention to how typography appears in everyday life, like on posters, booklets, menus, or programs at musical events. Now that I realize this, I want to make observing typography a new habit.

Throughout this exercise, I’ve become aware of the mistakes I’ve made or rather, the bad habits I’ve developed, especially through discussions with my classmates and friends. I tend to focus too much on the design instead of the readability. Sometimes, I emphasize the wrong information just to make the overall design look good, which isn’t the right approach. I should first analyze what the main message is, and then proceed with the design process.

Exercise 2: 

Experience:

I changed the image I had to deconstruct during the process. In my first attempt, I was already in the adjustment stage, but I wasn’t satisfied with the result, it didn’t really resemble the original image. I think it might be because I didn’t observe the elements carefully enough. Rather than spending more time stuck on an image I couldn’t move forward with, I decided to change it. Personally, I feel that I understand the elements and features of the new image much more clearly, so the process has been smoother compared to the previous one.

Observations:

When I was searching for poster references, I noticed that most of them didn’t struggle with text color. Their compositions were usually either very light or very dark at the top and bottom. However, my design includes both dark and light areas, which made choosing the right text color much more challenging. I had to try several times to find a balanced color that worked well across the entire composition.

Findings:

Everything has the potential to be transformed into a typeface. The elements might be similar, but with enough creativity, anything is possible. I have tried this exercise twice. I wouldn’t say the first attempt was a failure, I'd call it a test. It turns out my observation skills aren't yet developed enough to analyze and recognize the features and elements in the image. It was a good experience! Through this process, I grew a little and gained a better understanding of my limits and how I can improve and push beyond them.

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7. FURTHER READING

Exercise 1: 

Fig 7.1: Typographic Systems by Kimberly Elam, Week 1 (26/04/2025)

This book is suggested by Mr Vinod. 

I love this book fulfill my need for reference & information. This book has a lot of example and different example uses different elements. When I read this book I always got amazed by how creative the designer can be. 

Notes: 

-Careful use of tone and non-objective elements enhances these works

-Random elements are often: Overlapped, cropped, angled textured, not horizontal/aligned/patterned

Exercise 2: 

Fig 7.2: Finding Type: A novel Typographic Exercise by Vinod Nair, Week 2 (04/05/2025)

Notes:

1. Finding an image

2. Deconstructing an image

3. Identifying letterforms

4. Extracting letterforms

5. Identify a reference

6. Refining letterforms

*The characteristic need not be faithful to the original extraction and can evolve as long as it retains the essence of its structure and form. The objective is not to reach the end of the continuum but rather to end somewhere between the two points.

-Students should record the various steps in the evolution of their letterforms. This would allow student and facilitator to record and understand the design decisions made at every step of the process.

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