April 22, 2024 -

22.04.2024 – / Week1 – Week

Ryoma Kato / 0365874

Advanced Typography / Bachelor of design (Honours) in Creative Media

MIB

Lectures

Week1:

AdTypo_1_Typography Systems

・Typographic Systems - Elam (2007) identified eight major variations in design based on a structural system:

・Axial

・Radial

・Dilatational

・Random

・Grid

・Modular

・Transitional

・Bilateral

These variations serve as foundational principles for designing visual compositions.

Typographic organization is all about coordination and communication between elements. Factors such as hierarchy and legibility also affect complexity. The system resembles a shape grammar, providing rules and purpose. It may feel like it takes away from intuition, but it supports the learner's exploration and encourages the growth of intuition.

1. Axial

All elements are organized on either side of a single axis. Information is grouped and placed at different angles and on different sides of an axis.

2.Radial

All elements extend their focus from one point and spread out from there.

3. Dilatational

All elements expand from a central point in a circular manner.

4. Random

The elements do not appear to have any particular pattern or relationship.

5. Grid

A system of vertical and horizontal divisions.

6. Transitional

An information system of layered banding.

7. Modular

Standardized series of non-objective factors.

8. Bilateral

All text is arranged symmetrically on a single axis.

・Conclusion

It may seem unnatural at first, but with better understanding comes creative possibilities. Many designers concentrate on the grid and overlook other possibilities. This system has unique characteristics that distinguish it from the grid. By understanding its compositional process, we are free to create a more fluid message.

Week2:

2 aspects:

・creation of text

・placement of text within a specific space (e.g., print, textiles, architecture)

Seven principles:

・ design principles

Key principles include emphasis, isolation, repetition, perspective, alignment, asymmetry, and symmetry.

With respect to ambiguous typographic composition, complex elements of information are more relevant than images.

Emphasis and symmetry are shown in 2D layout and translate easily as layout.

Repetition and perspective are not suitable for typographic composition and are difficult to apply in all situations.

・The rule of thirds

It is used as a guide for photographic composition.

The three-column or three-row arrangement has some interesting points, but is never used in typographic composition. Decisions about the placement of important information are made within a larger system of placement.

・Typographic system

The most commonly used is the grid, which is based on printing technology. It can be used for multiple purposes.

It gives voice and expression, but maintains a certain playfulness. It is a practical option because it can be modular and allow for endless adaptation.

・Other models/systems

The Environmental Grid is based on the exploration of existing structures in architecture, paintings, interiors, etc.

Systems associated with the structure and context of the exterior space are important to the communicator of the message.

Shape and movement are done through the exploration of existing grid systems.

Week3:

Context & Creativity

The study of handwriting is important. This is because the first mechanically generated letterforms were devised to mimic handwriting.

BCE: Before the Common Era

CE: Common Era

Handwriting Revolution:

・Cuneiform (ca. 3000 BCE): an early system of actual written language, used in several languages until 34 BCE.

・Hieroglyphics (2613 B.C. - 2160 B.C.): Egyptian writing system was associated with relief techniques. It combined elements of both pictographic and syllabic writing and was the first step toward a future alphabetic system. This writing system would be used in three ways Ideograms (representing what was actually drawn). Determinative (the previous symbol is interpreted as a syllabic letter, giving a general idea of the shape). Syllabic (representing the sounds of individual words).

・Ancient Greek (5th century B.C.): based on Egyptian symbols and consonant combinations, the Phoenicians developed a syllabic script consisting of 22 letters. There were no serifs, they were written by hand and not constructed with a compass or ruler. Over time, lines became thicker, apertures smaller, and serifs appeared.

Roman Uncial: By the 4th century, Roman letters were rounded, written in curvilinear shapes, and had fewer strokes.

(Image of Early Greek)

(Roman uncials)

・English half-uncial (8th century): the English uncial evolved into a more sloping, reduced form. As the English and Irish uncials evolved, the written language on the European continent degenerated and needed reform. Fortunately, the Carolingian period brought about a handwriting reform.

(English half-uncial)

・Carolingian Lowercase: under the leadership of Alcuin of York, a school was established. Under Carolingian patronage, book production increased, language was standardized, capital letters began at the beginning of sentences, with spaces between words and punctuation.

・Blacklettering (12th-15th century): This script, also called Gothic, originated with the Italians, who used it to refer to the rude or barbaric culture north of the Alps.

・Letterpress (11th-14th centuries): Printing and woodblock printing were used in China, Japan, and Korea (Daizang Sutra, 750). The oldest known printed book (868) is the Diamond Sutra, the world's first 16' scroll with printed illustrations. China attempted letterpress printing but failed, and Korea succeeded in the 14th century with the creation of the new Korean alphabet.

・Evolution of Middle Eastern scripts: the Phoenician script marks a point of change in written language (using letters to represent sounds). The writing system itself may have been influenced by Egyptian hieroglyphs and hieratic scripts.

・Chinese characters: from oracle bones to seal script. From mere representations of things around us, such as creatures, mountains, the sun, etc., they were refined into the characters we see today.

Work

Week1

Make each structural system Images.