Class Info

Date: Thursday, October 5, 2023

Meeting Info: In person, Pearl 116, 8:30 to 11:00am, NORMALLY followed by Professor’s office hours from 11:00am to noon in Pearl 116.

Below speaks to reviewing and refining and perfecting work and ourselves:

“Nothing goes perfectly for us. But . . . being incomplete is what pushes us onward to the next something . . . if we were even perfectly satisfied, what meaning would the rest of our lives hold, right?” 

Takehiko Inoue

Topic

  • Continue and Complete Presentations of Type Book (Project 01). 5 minutes each.
    • Students who presented work on Oct. 3: Julissa, Ana, Nancy, Evangeline, Paola, Zacarah, Keylin.
  • Students to show work on Oct. 5: Robert, Marco, Marsena, Sarah, Justin, Mauricio, Shena, Sebastian, Elwis, Prianne. 5 minutes each. 40 minutes maximum (I’ll need someone to keep time).
    • Students who uploaded work, as specified, before class on Oct. 3: Marsena and Justin. They’ll go first.
  • Continue Expressive Typography (six words) with a Sans Serif Typeface. (See this handout from Class 11 for basic info about Expressive Type).
  • Touched on in Class 11 and due today are six sketches using the words listed on October 3, on OpenLab Class 11. Review the PDF template for Project 02/Step 01—i. e. Words/Definitions/Sketches in 2-inch square boxes.
  • Choose 4 out of the 6 sketches and start devise expressive words.

Objectives

  • PROCESS. Students learn how to interpret their sketches to then make appropriate selections of typeface.
  • Students learn software to move into digital environment.

Activities

Activity 01.

Remaining Presentations of Project 01

• • •

Activity 02. Check in.

Project 2. Noted at end of Class 11

Expressive Typography with a typeface

We will explore how the use of an existing non-display Sans Serif typeface combined with traditional elements of design allow designers to convey the meaning of a word

  • TYPEFACE (and their families & variations)
  • SIZE
  • SCALE
  • POSTURE
  • CASE
  • PLACEMENT 
  • REPETITION or OMISSION
  • COLOR
  1. Please see this Quick Reference PDF with Expressive Type/Lettering Basic Info
  2. then see these examples from Courtey Wagasky

Project 2: Step 1

You can use this template (if you have a printer) for sketching. If you do not, then work with a similar proportion. Squares on template are 2 inches (square). SPECS are here too.

  1. Choose SIX of the following words : 
    focus /  confusing /  shrink /  extravagant /  sinking /  tired /  divided /  strong/damaged /  cheer /  fading /  drip /  dismantle /  omission /  fast /  slow / amplifying /  flying /  pouring /  random /  celebration /  squeeze /  giant / cracked /  windy /  tumble /  floating
  2. Find the definition of your selected words (even if you know the meaning, researching their definition can sometimes help you generate ideas). 
  3. Sketch your word in creative ways (Sans Serif typeface only). Use a square area to sketch your words. 
    Sketch WITH A CONCEPT IN MIND (what is your intentions) and PURPOSE as opposed to simply placing words in space.
    If it is to be outlined, then sketch it that way. 
    If it is to be condensed or bold, then sketch it that way
  • Consider: scale, repetition, overlapping, removal, uppercase, lowercase, etc. to create a visual definition of the word.
  • ADD your thoughts (bold next to light words)
  • Avoid using horizontal and vertical scaling.
  • Do not add ANY illustrations. You are conveying the meaning of the word with the SANS serif typeface; you are not drawing or illustrating.

Below is the first page of six pages of the specifications and template noted above and in this paragraph.

Below is an example. Only two are shown here. You’ll do 6. (Coming up with concepts is time-consuming. Sketch first. Use pencil. If you look closely, you can see a lot of erasures (which are fine and part of the sketching process!).

Activity 03.

Project 2. Prequel to Step. 2.

Type Challenge: Tools
Create new document in Illustrator

EXAMPLE

HOW TO

Go to FILE> NEW

Create 3 x 3 inches square / 2 artboards

  • ARTBOARD 1—Use the word: building (lowercase)
  • We will create an outline and slightly move some points
  • ARTBOARD 2—Use the word: broken (upper or lower case)
  • We will create an outline and use the pathfinder tool to divide parts of the letterform
  • Save Illustrator file
  • Export as a jpeg.

Post under TYPE CHALLENGE (categories Student post and Student Post Type challenge)

Title for POST: LastName_TC_illus_tools_100523

lastname_TC_Illus_tools_100523.jpg

Reference

PDF_Create_Outlines

PDF_Touch_Type_Tool_in_Illustrator

PDF Pathfinder_DIVIDE_in_Illustrator

___________________________________________________________

Looking ahead to Project 2 . Step 2: Expressive Words.

We will cover this again on October 12.

Select 4 of the 6 words that you sketched

  • Bring Ideas into the computer
    • Interpret your sketches and determine which actual typeface to use. For this part of assignment we will use Illustrator 
  • General Specs: 
    • Size: 3 x 3  square 
    • In Illustrator use 4 artboards
Windows> ARTBOARDS> On the bottom left of window > REARRANGE ALL ARTBOARDS
Columns 2, then Spacing : .5 inches
Go to WINDOW and have the folowing available:
TYPE> Character / / PATHFINDER // ALIGN // ARTBOARDS
  • NOW
    Start working on your words (one per artboard)
  • Refer to handouts for different techniques.
    • Select one Sans Serif Typeface per word (with variations ok)
    • Only use black and white. 
  • Remember that you already know about typeface selection & variables, case (Upper case & Lower case) and word spacing and must apply those concepts moving forward.

You can consider scale, repetition, overlap, removal of letters or parts of it to create a visual definition of your words. Do not add illustrations or additional shapes. You can only use the letters that belong to the word. You can extend ascenders and descenders, but cannot take the letterforms out of proportion.

Complete 4 words

Save your work in Illustrator

then go to FILE> EXPORT > EXPORT AS

Go to File, export >export as jpeg

Lastname_ExpressiveWords_100523

This is an example by Professor Giuliani for your reference only.
Use your own selection of words and your own creative solutions

Save as a jpeg. Upload to Dropbox.

__________________________________

Work due to upload in Dropbox by 8pm October 11 for next class, October 12.

  • Refined Type Book. Lastname_REFINED_Complete_TypeBook_100523
  • Sketches of 6 words, with 4 chosen. Take a photo of your words with the 4 chosen and upload as jpeg. Lastname_4words_sketches_100523
  • Type Challenge. Lastname_TC_illus_tools_100523

_____________________________

If you have completed everything we’ve covered, continue the 4 words in Illustrator after Class

We’ll also work on the 4 words in the next class, THURSDAY, OCT. 12.

Save your jpeg. Use the naming convention:

Lastname_4words_100523.jpg

Upload to Dropbox.

_________________________________

NO CLASS ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10th. NEXT CLASS IS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2023.

Grading Note:
Project 3: Steps/ progress not done by due dates loses points.

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