Category: Subject Yr 1

We were tasked with creating a 6 word story using typography, which encapsulated the essence of a book written by particular authors. I chose to do Oliver Twist by Charles Dickins using the quote ‘please sir I want some more.’

After some initial sketches I went onto adobe illustrator and started playing around the type, using 2 different typefaces to cut them up and put them back together to create a mix between the two.

As you can see in most letters i have added parts of 2 different typefaces to create a different affect. For example, in the word ‘some’ I have added thicker lines from to the ‘m’ and the ‘o’, I did this to create a slightly jagged effect to convey the nervous thoughts that I would imagine Oliver having when asking for more food. I’ve also added the same effect to ‘WANT’ as well as adding it to capitals to outline how demanding the word want is. Both words are spaced apart randomly and slightly tilted to either side, this is another way to convey the thought of his being nervous and worried about using for more food.

After placing “please sir I want some” I created a hybrid font between the two typefaces for ‘more’.

I decided to make the letters much more of a mix between the two typefaces and to show a lot of the hybrids with the jagged edges and misplacement. I think this is fitting with the word ‘MORE’ as it contrasts well with ‘please’ and looks more rough and rude. I moves the text around in a few different ways but thought the above layouts didn’t work well enough to convey the meaning. The draft above is effective but doesn’t use the space well enough and the word ‘MORE’ is too small, it should fill the space and be much bigger.

I enlarged ‘MORE’ and added more letters on top of the word to give the sense of literally having more on the page. I think it works much better to fill the space and works well to convey the feeling of the quote and the book in general. I think I could have experimented more with the layout so it doesn’t look so symmetrical, or added more hybrid fonts on some of the words. However, I’m happy with the outcome considering it was one of my first times using illustrator.

Although I have used InDesign briefly before, our workshop on adobe InDesign was helpful and showed the basic set of skills we are required to use to create a piece of work, such as the grids, how to place images and text etc. I now know all the basic skills I need to use it and I’m looking forward to experimenting and learning more about the software and being able to use it to create work of a higher standard.

One thing that fascinates me about design and especially editorial design is the use of symmetry and asymmetry. The way you can use the same grid to create two different outcomes with different feels to both fascinates me. Both convey ideas in very different ways. While looking at the two different styles, we cut out text, images and headings from magazines and newspapers and used them to create rough design layouts.

An symmetric design tends to be used to create a much calmer and classic feel and usually doesn’t stand out as much, it is often easier to read the text. I think my design works well as the whole design is completely symmetrical and each body of text is easy to read. There is also a good sense of hierarchy and the path for the eye is clear and runs from the title and image through all the text. However the design isn’t as interesting to look at and is much more functional as a newspaper article than a page of eye catching design.

On the other hand, an asymmetric design has less boundaries so tends to be much more playful and lively which usually creates much more eye catching designs, but can sometimes be much harder to read, especially when type is involved. Overall I think it works well to convey an asymmetric theme and is much more pleasing to look at. It’s much more lively and interesting, however the title being split into 3 separate parts could make it harder to read, therefor it wouldn’t be suitable for a novel or newspaper design.

 

Looking at editorial design gave me a lot of insight into all the ways a magazine or book can be designed to make it easy to read and make it look great. The most useful thing i learnt was how to design something using balance and contrast to make a clear path for the eye and to add hierarchy to the piece, using an image or title.

I also learnt how to use typeset within my work to make it suit the type of work I’m designing. For example using centred text alongside larger typography to look classic and elegant, or using justified text to make it easier for the eye to follow it and read. This was useful as it means when designing in the future I’ll have an idea as to which is the best for different types of work, depending on the target audience and what the use will be for the work.

The grid system was another useful principle and learning how to use it showed me how to make the most out of a design, and how to use columns and hanglines within the grid make it functional giving the work a clear path for the eye.

Following this we looked at design magazines and analysed them, looking for the ways they use all these features to create well designed work. I took sketches of the layouts so i could document them and identify everything we had learnt about.

 

 

Jonathan Barnbrook was a British designer who studied at the Royal College of Art in London where he gained publicity for his innovative typography. After graduating he started his own studio where he took inspiration from Milton Glaser and Neville Brody.

His work was drawn from British influences and makes strong statements about war, consumerism, corporate culture and international politics, working both commercially and non-commercially. He uses originality with wit as well as irony in his work to create designs with strong political statements.

Barnbrook is best known for his interesting font names, such as Mason, Exocet, Bastard, Prozac, Nixon and Drone. He uses several layers in his work, using language and letterforms in harmony. His typefaces are full of personality, however they can be limited in their application because of this.

Overall I’m a big fan of his work and I love the way he layers his typography and images to create a sense of hierarchy and draw your eye to the text and images, as well as the bright contrasting.

Jonathan Barnbrook, Image source: barnbrook.net

I have learnt a little about illustrator previously at college through my graphic design course, however i only learnt basics and was advised to teach myself. It was useful to be taught about the fastest ways to manipulate text and use all the simple and basic tools.

After being given a project to do carry out on typography, I think the knife tool and the rubber tool have been the most useful and effective as they seem to be the easiest ways to cut up and manipulate text.

Overall I’d say I’ve learnt a lot about the basics, but I’m looking forward to learning about how to use more tools and knowing which tool to use for each piece of work I’m doing.