Typography / Task 2 : Typographic Exploration & Communication

29/10/2024  - 5/11/2024 (Week 6 - 7)

Rachel Ng Jie Ting/ 0378902

Typography/ Bachelors of  design (Honours) in creative media

Task 2 : Typographic Exploration & Communication

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Table of content

Lectures

Instructions

Feedback

Reflections

Further reading

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Lectures

It's in Task 1

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Instructions: 

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Task

• In this task you will be asked to express typographically the content in this link in a 2-page editorial spread (200mm x 200mm per page). Choose 1 from the 3 text options provided. No images are allowed (unless permitted). However, some very minor graphical elements, i.e. line, shade, etc. might be allowed. 

• Utilising the knowledge gained in the exercises and from other modules in the same semester, you will use Adobe InDesign to typographically compose and express the text within the given size.

• You may use Adobe Illustrator to create the headline expression should you feel the need to do so. However, the final layout (text formatting and layout) is to be completed in Adobe InDesign. Explore several options in expression and layout (sketches). Execute a good layout, with an expressive and appropriate headline in line with the spirit/message of the text. 

• Ensure you are only using the prescribed 10 typefaces. 

• Choose your editorial text from the file uploaded on TEAMS module site (General > Files): Task 2: Editorial Text Options. 

Note* No colour may be used in this task. 

Task 2 : Typographic Exploration & Communication

"In this task you will be asked to express typographically the content provided in a 2-page editorial spread (200mm x 200mm per page). Choose 1 from the 3 text options provided. No images are allowed. However, some very minor graphical elements, i.e. line, shade, etc. might be allowed."

For this task, I choose the text "A code to build on and live by", and started work on this task.

Research for Idea and Inspiration 

Gathering ideas and inspiration....

Fig 1.1, Editorial Spreads - Idea and Inspiration, Week 6 (26/10/2024)

Layout sketches and type expression exploration 

After  gathering ideas and inspiration, I did some rough sketches and layouts on paper first, I then created some cleaner sketches. 

Fig 1.2, first rough sketches, Week 6 (26/10/2024)

Fig 1.3, cleaner sketches, Week 6  (26/10/2024)

Creating headline text expressions

With the first 4 designs, the next step is to digitally create the headline design for the 4 designs, here I'll be using Adobe Illustrator. 

Fig 1.4, Headline Type expression, Week 7 (27/10/2024)

Text Formatting

Next, in InDesign I started to work with the body text by trying out different typefaces, kerning and tracking, achieving cross alignment and so. 

Fig 1.5, Text Formatting Process, Week 7 (27/10/2024)

First layouts

I then created several layouts to see if it works with what I have imagined.

Fig 1.6, First layouts, Week 7 (27/10/2024)

Fig 1.7, First layouts, Blocks, Week 7 (27/10/2024)

Redesigns and new designs

I wasn't satisfied with the layouts and designs I had created, so I decided to create some new designs, scrapped some designs, and slightly changed some designs. 

Fig 1.8, New layouts, Week 7  (28/10/2024)

 

Fig 1.9, New layouts, Blocks, Week 7  (28/10/2024)

Then I showed all designs to Ms. Vitiyaa and she approved of all my designs, I just needed to fix some leading issues.

After that I choose layout 6 to refine and polish as I liked that design the best.

Fig 1.10, Chosen layouts, layout #6, Week 7  (5/11/2024)

I did some tracking on the bolded sentences as they looked a bit too spaced out, and fixed the leading issue that was pointed out.

Fig 1.11, Refined layout #6, Week 7  (5/11/2024)

FINAL Editorial Spread

Margins: 10 mm all, 15 mm outside

Gutter: 10 mm

Column : 4

Head

Font: Futura Std

Body

Font: Futura Std

Type Size: 10 pt

Leading: 12 pt

Paragraph spacing: 12 pt

Characters per-line: 55

Alignment: left justified

Fig 1.12, Final editorial spread, Week 7  (5/11/2024)

Fig 1.13, Final editorial spread (PDF), Week 7 (5/11/2024)

Fig 1.13, Final editorial spread with grids, Week 7 (5/11/2024)

Fig 1.14, Final editorial spread with grids (PDF), Week 7 (5/11/2024)

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Feedback

Week 6: 

General feedback : Don't use too many complex shapes.

Specific feedback : -

Week 7: 

General feedback :  Overall looks great

Specific feedback : All of the layouts looks good, very fun designs. Need to fix the leading issues. see this, the ‘g’ is touching the top of the letter ‘f’. Also, Bold and Italic sentences cannot be continued with regular sentences, must bring the regular sentence down.

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Reflections

Experience :

Designing the editorial spread was half enjoyable and half mentally taxing. I wanted the design to be interesting and creative in design, but simple enough that it is comfortable to read on first glance. I have scraped many design that used too many shapes, too complex elements, and many headline design that borders on being unreadable. 

Observations :

Looking at my classmates work, I have realised that the same text can be expressed in various ways. Also, I noticed that complex designs doesn't meant good design. Sometimes, simple design will do.

Findings :

Other than aesthetics, readability is also an important aspect of the design. Even with the best designs, everything falls apart when on one can understand what the article is about (due to confusing body text placement) and the headline is unreadable.

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Further reading

Week 7 :  Typographic design: Form and communication (2015)

Picture :

Fig 2.1, Typographic design: Form and communication (2015)

Summary :

For this week, I read chapter 4 - The Typographic Grid, to help me during task 2. First, I started with sub chapter "structures and space"

 

Fig 2.2, The Typographic Grid: structures and space,  (Page 68)

This page shows how typographic elements interact dynamically with space, creating structures that convey motion and spatial tension. Centered elements feel stable, while off-center or rotated elements introduce kinetic energy, reflecting our natural comfort with horizontal balance and apprehension toward verticality. I kept this in mind while I design my spreads for task 2.

I have also read sub chapter "Single column grids" to learn how I could arrange the body texts. 

Fig 2.2, The Typographic Grid: Single column grids,  (Page 71-73)

In single text block layouts, designers balance text and page margins as a proportional system. Margins frame and support the text, allowing for additional elements like folios and notes, while enhancing readability. Though traditional proportions like the golden section are sometimes considered, designers often rely on intuitive, alternative layouts that integrate positive and negative space harmoniously.