Task 2: Typographic Exploration and Communication

02/05/2023 - 26/05/2023 / Week 5 - Week 8
Reema Arif Hamza / 0362792
Typography / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University
Task 2: Typographic Exploration and Communication

Content

Lectures

All lectures completed in Task 1: Exercises 1 & 2

Instructions

Task 2: Typographic Exploration & Communication

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. However, some very minor graphical elements, i.e. line, shade, etc. might be allowed.

Process

I compiled a few visual references focusing on how to express 'code'. I then made four thumbnail sketches of composition/layout ideas. I liked sketch #2 the most.

Fig. 2.1 Visual References, Week 6 (09/05/2023)

Fig. 2.2 Sketches, Week 6 (09/05/2023)

I chose to focus on my second sketch with minor adjustments as I moved along. In the headline, I wanted to express that designers have a code that is programmed into them. To do so I added brackets to make it look like HTML code and added circuit lines.

Fig. 2.3 Draft Layout 1, Week 6 (09/05/2023)

I wasn't able to fit all the text in my first draft so I aimed to better utilize the space. I brainstormed a few different compositions but this one stuck out because the headline felt integrated into the layout and it was more dynamic.

Fig. 2.4 Draft Layout 2, Week 7 (16/05/2023)

Final

Fonts: Serifa Std (55 Roman), Gill Sans (Italic, Light)

Point size: 9 pt (body), 12 pt (minor headings), 20 pt (lead-in text), 60 pt (Headline)

Leading: 11.5 pt (body, minor headings), 23 pt (lead-in text), 72 pt (Headline)

Paragraph spacing: 11.5 pt (body, minor headings, and lead-in text), 72 pt (Headline)

Line length: 42 (body text)

Fig. 2.5 Final Editorial Spread JPEG, Week 8 (26/05/2023)

Fig. 2.6 Final Editorial Spread (Guides) JPEG, Week 8 (26/05/2023)

Fig. 2.7 Final Editorial Spread PDF, Week 8 (26/05/2023)

Fig. 2.8 Final Editorial Spread (Guides) PDF, Week 8 (26/05/2023)

Feedback

Week 6

General Feedback: Make sure to do your research and that your headline has meaning. The use of Bodoni for body text is inadvisable. Focus on your expression first and then work on the layout.

Specific Feedback: The headline expression is acceptable. Avoid hyphenating in the first line of paragraphs. Emphasize the subheadings in the body text to break up the body text and have a proper visual hierarchy. Further exploration should be done.

Week 7

No feedback given

Reflection
Experience
I was able to learn a lot about layout designs through this task. I struggled a lot to think of unique compositions and how to arrange the text in a visually pleasing way. I do think I could have explored more layout design on Indesign but I was pretty set on further exploring the idea I had chosen.

Observation

I observed that cross-alignment was really important but a bit harder to do with a big headline. Also, it's interesting that you have to consider the gutter space where they bind the book in your layout as well.

Finding
In this task, I found out that creating unique and dynamic layouts takes time and deeper exploration. Having looked through books and relevant works did make it easier to create a composition. While visual references are great you have to remember to really let yourself think and stew in the ideas to come up with a well-explored idea.

Reema Hamza

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