ADVANCED TYPOGRAPHY | TASK 1 EXERCISES
Cloverworks. (2024). Screenshot of Black Butler S4 EP 9. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
Loh Kai Xuan (0365780)
Advanced Typography
Task 1: Exercises
TABLE OF CONTENTS
✦ Lectures
✦ Instructions
✦ Task 1
➤ Exercise 1: Typographic Systems
➤ Exercise 2: Type & Play
✦ Feedback
✦ Reflection
✦ Further Reading
1. LECTURES
Lec 01: Typographic Systems
"All Design is based on Structural System" -Elam 2007.
Typographical organization is complex as elements are dependent on
communication in order to function.
There are 8 major variations:
✦ Axial
✦ Radial
✦ Dilational
✦ Random
✦ Grid
✦ Modular
✦ Transitional
✦ Bilateral
➤ Axial System
Elements are organized to the left or right of a single axis.
➤ Radial System
Elements are extended from a point of focus.
➤ Dilational System
Elements expand from a certain point in a circular fashion.
➤ Random System
Elements appear to have no specific pattern or relationship.
➤ Grid System
A system of vertical and horizontal divisions.
➤ Transitional System
An informal system of layering banding.
➤ Modular System
A series of non-objective elements that are constructed in as a
standardized units.
➤ Bilateral System
All text is arranged symmetrically on a single axis.
Fig 1.1. Typographic Systems Notes
Lec 02: Typographic Compositions
Principles of Design Compositions
✦ Emphasis
✦ Isolation
✦ Repetition
✦ Symmetry & Asymmetry
✦ Alignment
✦ Perspective
✦ Rule of Thirds
✦ and many more...
Other Models/systems
➤ Environmental Grid
Exploration of existing structure or numerous structures
combined. Elements are arranged around this super
structuer.
Fig 1.2. Environmental Grid Example from Lecture
Video
➤ Form and Movement
Exploration of existing grid systems, dispel seriousness
around this system.
Fig 1.3. Form and Movement Example from Lecture
Video
Lec 03: Context & Creativity
Handwriting
It is studied because the first mechanically
produced letterforms were designed to directly
imitate handwriting. It would become the basis or
standard form, spacing an conventions mechanical
type would try to mimic.
The shape and line of hand drawn letterforms were
influenced by tools and materials used to make
them.
Fig 1.4. Evolution of Latin Alphabet from
Lecture Video
Fig 1.5. Hieroglyphics from Lecture
Video
Fig 1.6. Evolution of Middle Eastern
Alphabet from Lecture Video
Fig 1.7. Evolution of Chinese Script
from Lecture Video
Programmers & Type Design
More vernacular scripts are produced by software
giants (Google). More and more vernacular an "multi
script" Typefaces are produced to cater to
situations where the written matter is communicated
in the vernacular script or vernacular and latin
scripts.
Fig 1.8. Baloo by Ek Type from Lecture
Video
Local Movements and Individuals
✦ murasu.com by Muthu Nedumaran
✦ Huruf
✦ Ek Type
✦ Type Foundry
Lec 04: Designing Type
Type Design carries a social responsibility so one must continue to improve its legibility. It is also a form of artistic expression.
Examples:
Fig 1.9. Frutiger Arabic by Adrian Frutiger from slides
Adrian Futiger
✦ Futiger Typeface - a 1968 sans serif made for airport
✦ Clean, distinct, can see from both near and far.
✦ Functional. Tested with unfocused letters to see legibility
Fig 1.10. Georgia and Verdana by Matthew Carter from Lecture Video
Matthew Carter
✦ Many of his fonts created to address specific technicals.
✦ E.g. Verdana legible at even small sizes.
✦ But derived from pixels so i,j,l is commonly confused.
Fig 1.11. Johnston Sans from Lecture Video
Edward Johnston
✦ hugely influential "underground" typeface
✦ Johnston Sans - bold simplicity, modern yet traditional
✦ Was digitalised afterwords.
Fig 1.12. Construction and considerations from Lecture Video
General Process of Type Design
✦ Research
✦ Sketching
✦ Digitalization
✦ Testing
✦ Deploy
2. INSTRUCTIONS
Fig 2.1 Advanced typography Module Information
3. TASK 1
➤ Exercise 1: Typographic Systems
Overview
We were tasked to create 8 designs using different typographic
systems with the chosen title. Among the 3, I chose All Ripped Up:
Punk Influences on Design as I felt like it would be fun.
CONTENT
The Design School,
Taylor’s University
All Ripped Up: Punk Influences on Design
or
The ABCs of Bauhaus Design Theory
or
Russian Constructivism and Graphic Design
Open Public Lectures:
June 24, 2021
Lew Pik Svonn, 9AM-10AM
Ezrena Mohd., 10AM-11AM
Suzy Sulaiman, 11AM-12PM
June 25, 2021
Lim Whay Yin, 9AM-10AM
Fahmi Reza, 10AM-11AM
Manish Acharia, 11AM-12PM
Lecture Theatre 12
References
Before I got started, I looked for some references on Pinterest and
got inspiration from a senior (Johanna) as well.
Fig 3.1. Axial and Radial System Sketch (Week 1,
21.04.2025)
Sketches
I did 3 sketches each to brainstorm ideas, after looking at a few of my
senior's work. But I did not do sketches for bilateral, grid and modular
system as its easier to experiment that in InDesign.
Fig 3.2. Axial and Radial System Sketch ( Week 1, 24.04.2025
)
Fig 3.3. Dilatational and Random System Sketch ( Week 1, 24.04.2025 )
InDesign
I chose favorite among the sketches for each system to
digitalize. And experimented around with the Systems.
Fig 3.5. Digitalization ( Week 2, 28.04.2025 )
After completing 2 "radial designs", it wasn't until my
friends let me know that I knew there was something
wrong with them. Turns our I misunderstood what radial
system was, and so I made a new design for radial
system.
Fig 3.6. New Radial Designs( Week 2, 30.04.2025
)
I compiled all my latest designs into one image to get
feedback.
Fig 3.7. Latest Designs on ( Week 2, 30.04.2025 )
After feedback, I went on to redo or update the design.
Fig 3.8. Updated Designs on ( Week 2, 02.05.2025 )
Final Outcome:
1. Axial
Font used: Univers Lt Std
Fig 3.9. Final Axial ( Week 2, 02.05.2025 )
I remade Axial into something simpler and actually following the
system this time, it is a L shape followed by a straight line
down. After arranging all the text, I rotated the canvas
slightly so it looks more interesting.
2. Radial
Font used: Univers Lt Std
Fig 3.10. Final Radial ( Week 2, 02.05.2025 )
Radial was time consuming to make but it was fun. For
this, I used 3 Axis all leading to another corner with
more info so it leads viewers around the text.
3. Dilatational
Font used: ITC Garamond Std
Fig 3.11. Final Dilatational ( Week 2, 02.05.2025 )
By far one of my favorites as it was really fun to
use circles. It was really satisfying to make all
the text flow around like wind.
4. Random
Font used: Futura Std
Fig 3.12. Final Random ( Week 2, 02.05.2025 )
I enjoyed making this design the
most. It was like planning chaos,
creating a visually interesting
design with just text and no
limitations. It was also the only
final black design I chose because
the yellow and white pops
amazingly on this. Making it feel
like a light show.
5. Grid
Font used: Gill Sans Std
Fig 3.13. Final Grid ( Week 2, 02.05.2025
)
I decided to go with
something more simple and
direct, using the white
space. But also keeping
things interesting by
leading the viewers to the
rotated title. The L shape
helps direct info from top
to bottom, left to right.
6. Modular
Font used: Futura Std
Fig 3.14. Final
Modular ( Week 2,
02.05.2025 )
I had a hard time
deciding what to
do, I wanted to
try out circles
but suddenly had
the idea to do a
checkered design
utilizing the
cliched squares.
The black and
white was too
harsh so I went
with lines and red
in the center to
get attention on
the title.
7.
Transitional
Font
used: Futura Std
Fig 3.15.
Final
Transitional ( Week 2,
02.05.2025
)
This was
difficult
but easy
at the
same
time as
i wasn't
clear
what
this
system
was. But
after
the
feedback
session,
I
realized
my
mistakes
and
revised
my
design.
I did a
more jagged
layering
like
sediments.
8. Bilateral
Font used: ITC New Baskerville Std
Fig 3.16. Final Bilateral ( Week 2, 02.05.2025 )
Bilateral was really straight forward. The
challenge was in making everything symmetrical and
although my design was not as crazy as the other
systems, sometimes simple works.
Fig 3.17. Final Outcome Compilation ( Week 2, 02.05.2025 )
Fig 3.18. Final Outcome PDF (With
Baseline/Grid) ( Week 2, 02.05.2025 )
Fig 3.19. Final Outcome PDF ( Week 2, 02.05.2025 )
➤ Exercise 2: Type & Play
Finding An Image
the art or work of preparing books, etc. for printing, especially
of designing how tex. Before beginning, we were instructed to choose
an image with potential letterforms. I chose a picture I took of the
flower "baby breath" because their stems show potential.
Extraction
I used the interesting webbing of the stems to find letters. I
extracted the letters: L, I, V, E, K
Fig 4.2. Extraction( Week 3, 04.05.2025 )
Refinement
I decided to choose a thinner typeface to match with my extraction. I purposely used fonts with serif too.
Fig 4.3. Chosen Reference Font ( Week 3, 04.05.2024 )
I wanted to keep the crookedness of the extraction but also make it
look more uniform.
Fig 4.4. Process 05.05.2025 ( Week 3, 04.05.2024 )
Fig 4.5. Before and After reference ( Week 3, 06.05.2024 )
Fig 4.6. Progress 05.05.2025 ( Week 3, 06.05.2024 )
Fig 4.7. Further Stuides ( Week 3, 07.05.2024 )
Below, I revised and created an improved version of my letters.
Incorporating the flowers was difficult without it overshadowing the
type.
Fig 4.8. Final Letterform with baseline ( Week 3, 07.05.2024 )
Fig 4.9. Original Extraction(Top) and Final Letterform
(Bottom) Comparison ( Week 3, 07.05.2024 )
Final Outcome of Part 1
Fig 4.10. Image and Extraction ( Week 4, 12.05.2024 )
Fig 4.11. Refinement Process ( Week 4, 12.05.2024 )
Fig 4.12. Extracted Letters ( Week 4, 12.05.2024 )
Fig 4.13. Reference Font ( Week 4, 12.05.2024 )
Fig 4.14. Original Extraction(Top) and Final Letterform
(Bottom) Comparison ( Week 4, 12.05.2024 )
Fig 4.15. Exercise 2 Part 1 Final PDF Compilation ( Week 4, 12.05.2024 )
Part 2
For the next part, we have to make a movie poster using out letterforms. I looked for some photographs that best fit my letterform. I decided to choose the hand one as it is giving me more ideas on the type play.
For the next part, we have to make a movie poster using out letterforms. I looked for some photographs that best fit my letterform. I decided to choose the hand one as it is giving me more ideas on the type play.
Fig 4.16. Poster choices( Week 4, 12.05.2024 )
After choosing, I cropped the image to square and did some edits.
I also did a few drafts with the text. A friend suggested me to
use the golden ratio due to my asymmetrical image.
Fig 4.17. Screenshot of progress( Week 4, 12.05.2024 )
Fig 4.17. Screenshot of progress( Week 4, 12.05.2024 )
After asking around for opinions, I did some edits and added the
logos.
Fig 4.19. Poster Drafts( Week 4, 12.05.2024 )
Fig 4.19. Poster Drafts( Week 4, 12.05.2024 )
After asking around for opinions, I did some edits and added the
logos. Mr. Vinod suggested I increased the visibility of the
title, so i reduced the contrast of the image.
Fig 4.20. Final Poster jpeg( Week 4, 14.05.2024 )
Fig 4.20. Final Poster jpeg( Week 4, 14.05.2024 )
Fig 4.21. Final Poster pdf( Week 4, 14.05.2024 )
Exercise 2 Final Compilation
Fig 4.22. Image and Extraction ( Week 4, 12.05.2024 )
Fig 4.23. Refinement Process ( Week 4, 12.05.2024 )
Fig 4.24. Extracted Letters ( Week 4, 12.05.2024 )
Fig 4.25. Reference Font ( Week 4, 12.05.2024 )
Fig 4.26. Original Extraction(Top) and Final Letterform (Bottom) Comparison ( Week 4, 12.05.2024 )
Fig 4.27. Exercise 2 Part 1 Final PDF Compilation ( Week 4, 12.05.2024 )
Fig 4.28. Final Poster jpeg( Week 4, 14.05.2024 )
Fig 4.28. Final Poster jpeg( Week 4, 14.05.2024 )
Fig 4.29. Final Poster pdf( Week 4, 14.05.2024 )
➤ Back to top ✮♱ ༻¨*:·
4. FEEDBACK
➤ Week 1:
General Feedback: Module Briefing and start on Exercise 1, Typographic Systems.
Specific Feedback: None
➤ Week 2:
General Feedback:Do not let your graphics or colour overpower the typography.
Axial: Wrong, Random: no comment, Dilatational: Good but the
lower part is not flowing well, Grid: Good, Radial: Star Wars,
Modular: Chessboard too strong, remove the black squares. Try
Lines., Transitional: Remove the graphics., Bilateral: Good
➤ Week 3:
General Feedback: Mr. Vinod gave feedback to everyone. I missed the feedback session due to an emergency.Increase visibility of title for the mock movie poster.
➤ Week 4:
General Feedback: Keep the line strokes consistent and finish up everything before next week.The strokes are good but end parts are not emulating the plant enough. Study the image more, incorporate the flower as well.
5. REFLECTION
Experience
These 2 exercises helped me utilize the knowledge learnt from the lectures. The process of creating the 8 posters using different typographic systems were difficult as not every system is commonly used in design. If I had more time, I would've explored the different layouts more. The next exercise let us experience creating letter with image and to observe. This encouraged me to be more aware of the relationship between type and image.
Observations
As mentioned above, I found some exercise 1 tasks difficult as it is not common to stick to do many typographic systems and even harder, this exercise wants us to focus on only one for each poster. However I observed that I had trouble being more creative with text as I felt limited to put them upright and arrange them in a more simple way.
Findings
Through these exercises, I found out that using typographic systems helped make our designs more interesting and visually pleasing. I did not know that I have already been applying it without knowing. But after this, it allowed me to use the systems more efficiently and also the important relationship between image and type
6. FURTHER READING
Typographic Systems by Kimberly Elam
Fig. 5.1. Typographic Systems by Kimberly Elam (2007), Week 1
During week 1, I decided to read this book for more information on typographic systems, these are some notes i have taken from this book.
✦ Understanding the systems of visual organization gives the designer and in depth knowledge of the design process
✦ Within any project process there are typographic constraints and options that provide opportunity for rich yet subtle variations.
✦ Constraints and Options: Line Breaks, Leading, Word and letter spaces.
✦ Circle is like a wildcard element that can be used anywhere.
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