Typography | Final Compilation & Reflection

 ||  03/04/23 – 07/07/23 (Week 1 – Week 14) 
||  Liau Kah Man, 0339084
||  Typography 
||  Final Compilation & Reflection.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Website links to each task

2. Submission

3. Reflection

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1. WEBSITE LINKS TO EACH TASK

1.1  Task 1: Type Expression and Text Formatting

1.2  Task 2: Typographic Exploration and Communication (Text Formatting and Expression)
1.3  Task 3: Type Design and Communication

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2. SUBMISSION

Task 1: Exercises - Type Expression
04/04/23 – 24/04/23 (Week 1 – Week 4)

Figure 2.1  Final type expression "sick, dissipate, rain, water" (JPG), Week 4 (24/4/2023).

Figure 2.2  Final animated type expression "water" (GIF), Week 4 (24/4/2023).

Task 1: Exercises - Text Formatting
25/4/23 - 14/5/23 (Week 4 - Week 6)

Figure 2.3  Final text-formatting layout (JPEG), Week 6 (14/5/2023). 

 Figure 2.4  Final text-formatting layout (PDF), Week 6 (14/5/2023).

Figure 4.2.4.3 Final text-formatting layout with grids (JPG), Week 6 (14/5/2023).

Figure 4.2.4.4 Final text-formatting layout with grids (PDF), Week 6 (14/5/2023).

Task 2: Typographic Exploration and Communication
09/05/23 – 23/05/23 (Week 6 – Week 8)

Figure 2.5  Final text formatting and expression (JPG), Week 8 (23/5/2023).

 Figure 2.6  Final text formatting and expression (PDF), Week 8 (23/5/2023).

Figure 3.3.3  Final text formatting and expression with grid (JPG), Week 8 (23/5/2023).

Figure 3.3.4  Final text formatting and expression with grid (PDF), Week 8 (23/5/2023).

Task 3: Type Design and Communication
16/05/23 – 26/06/23 (Week 7 – Week 13) 

Outré /ˈuːtreɪ/ 1. adj. Very strange or unusual, bizarre.
Regularly Outré, regularly odd and funky.

Font download link: 
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1vk3MH81fN55__ScnBDQq86IFWaEnwBDb?usp=drive_link

Figure 2.7  Compilation of the best written "aetkgriympn", Week 1 (23/4/2023).

Figure 2.8  Construction of Regularly Outré on art board generated in AI (JPG, 1024px, 300ppi), Week 13 (30/6/2023).

Figure 2.9  Construction on art board generated in AI (PDF), Week 13 (30/6/2023). 

Figure 2.10  A4 poster (JPEG, 1024px, 300ppi) generated in AI, Week 13 (30/6/2023).

Figure 2.11  A4 poster (PDF) generated in AI, Week 13 (30/6/2023).

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3. REFLECTION

5.1  Experience

Learning typography is definitely a transformative experience for me. I never thought of it can focus so much on the design element. Although the instructions of the task have set some restrictions (e.g. use minimal-to-none graphical elements, B&W only), it allows me to push for more creativity, out of the boundaries of conventional design. Though there are struggling times and quite sad to not think of the "that's the one!" design for some of the tasks. But well, it's a learning process.

Also, I always knew the impact of (back then I call them as) words to convey messages on visual communication, such as the famous arrow in FedEx and the arrow point from a to z in Amazon, and has always been interested in arranging looks of the titles, e.g. posters, but I only stopped at playing around the size and placement -- never thought of going any further; Now this module has opened my eyes and led me to discover more possibilities. Indeed, typography not just plays a crucial role in conveying messages, it may have the abilities to evoke emotions too.

Besides that, it was also quite surprising to know there is a difference for typography on paper and screens, which I would keep in mind in the future while designing.

5.2  Observations

In these 14 weeks, I have noticed the difference of vibe and learning style in science course vs design course. The design of this module's teaching and learning style have provided me a chance to observe and compare others work. Seeing others' strengths and noticing my weaknesses, for example I saw some works really had a great balance between beauty and legibility in their typography, which I may sometimes lack of. I agree while aesthetics is essential, typography must also serve its functional purpose.

Besides that, through lectures and experience, I noticed the small details in typography may make a difference in overall outcome. The asymmetrical of shapes, weight strokes of the letters, overshooting, etc., are all made for a reason, if not, aesthetic/instinct reasons haha.

Just a small note: Compared to previous batches, I believe they have lesser restrictions on using graphical elements than my batch, which I think the current instruction change is a great move. Because it has more restrictions now, it's so much more interesting to see the smart solutions made from everyone. Just loved the amazed feel when looking at others' work.

5.3  Findings

I believe the most significant aspect of learning typography with these series of tasks is to self-evaluate your own work, describe the problems and think of possible ways to revise them. This iterative process helps me to develop a critical eye and further refine my typographic skills.

Conclusion: Typography are not just letters. A good typography is a summarized form of design - smart solutions for effect communication, evoking emotions, showing personality and branding, being simple, clear and concise, while considering the visual hierarchy, user experience, balance, harmony, aesthetics.

Note to self: Continue to explore, experiment and refine! Be an effective communicator in both visual and verbal :D