Typography : (Week 6) Ad Expression

 

24.2.16 (Week 6)

Fatin Nadia Binti Ishak (300 422 242)

Typography

Lecture:

At first, we went through the discussion process, on which everyone shows their final work for the last task. After that he explained in more details about our next task, and we were sometimes given to ask questions regarding the next task. He also adds that the headlines should be 70% of the paper and 30% for logo and product.

Instruction :

Task 2 (10%): Ad Expression
You are required in this task to express the headline of a black and white advertisement for Tiger Balm. The ad must express to the type the inherent meaning of the words in context of the Ad.

The copy for the Ad is as follows:

Headline: FEEL THE HEAT!

Copy: Tiger Balm, the world’s leading analgesic remedy that works where it hurts. A name that has been trusted by generations to provide care, healing and comfort for nearly 100 years. With its unique formulation specially made with herbal ingredients which are proven safe and effective, Tiger Balm’s healing properties and soothing relief for aches and pains restore balance to modern hectic lifestyles.

Logo & Product:

 

You may use minor graphical elements like lines or dots (if relevant or needed) to aid in the expression of the headline. This is not a visually driven Ad, so do not give undue attention to the product or logo, emphasis is on the headline and copy.

Black and white Press Ad.

Newspaper: TheSun
Size: 128 w x 178 h

Outline around Ad: 0.5 pt stroke width

Mode: Black & White

Marking Criteria: Your work will be judged on whether you have been able to express the meaning or action of the headline through your designs. The designed headline in the type expression task must showcase sensitivity and creativity in the choice of font, its relevancy and its suitability in context of the Ad. It must reflect the inherent meaning of the headline. You will be judged on whether you have demonstrated critical thinking and exploration, research capability, ability to chronologically document your process and reflect on your journey. This evidence must be visible in your postings in the eportfolio and your in-class process work. 

Research :

From the previous 'tiger balm' ads;

Different advertisement;

There are about five advertisements that do look unique and interesting for me, it really inspired me.

Inspiration & Ideas:

Fire flames

Sweat;

Based on the task, Mr. Vinod wanted us to express the headlines which are 'Feel the heat!'. So, i thought that i should focus more on the word 'heat' itself, the first thing that came out of mind id 'flame'.....

 

Unique font which I would like to use in my 'ad- expression'.

Sketches & Ideas:

(1) For the word 'heat', i added flames on it...

(2) It looks like a logo...

(3) Sketches using the calligraphy pen on the graph paper. Word, 'feel' and 'the' using those lines, that we have learned and (the word, 'heat', is sweating,)

(4) Sketches using the calligraphy pen on the graph paper. I'm trying to put tiger stripes inside of each letters.

(5) Sketches using the calligraphy pen on the graph paper. Stick in to the 'logo shapes' of arrangement and i added tiger stripes inside of each letters. I have also added in flames on the top of word 'heat'.

(6) How it may look, later....

Process: 

After doing some sketches, I started to choose the font that suitable with the criteria that i wanted; honestly, i went through the entire font provided by Mr. Vinod. Then I found that there are about 21 fonts that really unique.

 

(7)

Using, Adobe Illustrator:

Basically I have found that Zebrawood standard regular has "flames" and "sweat" criteria. But for the word "heat" I am trying to make it look different than others so i click on "zero appearance" from adobe illustrator, however it doesn't look nice.

(8) For word "feel" and "the", i have changed the font into Zebrawood Standard Fill.

(9) I am trying to make the word "the" shapes more like an oval shape similar to word "feel".

(10)

FONT for 'feel' & 'the' = Zebrawood Standard Fill

FONT for 'heat' = Zebrawood Standard Regular

(11)

FONT for 'feel' & 'the' = Zebrawood Standard Fill

FONT for 'heat' = Zebrawood Standard Regular

There are differences for the first letter of word "feel" and "the", I make changes for a bigger size of those first letters.

(12) Submission;

FONT for 'feel' & 'the' = Zebrawood Standard Fill

FONT for 'heat' = Zebrawood Standard Regular

I also added the logo in.

.....To be continued.....

Feedback: (There is no specific feedback, just a general feedback)

GENERAL FEEDBACK: Everything should be interrelated, 'it's like spiral, whatever you have done previously should be apply later. For steps for the process part, people need to do research in a product 'Tiger Balm'. Then they need to know the history of the product, they need to look up for a similar product, and then lastly do some sketches. For instance, mind mapping by visualized fire, steam, vapour or even heat, need to focus more on the word 'heat'.

Knowledge itself does not enough unless people experiment it, or else it will be other people experience. Logo is a must and for the headlines, word 'feel' and 'the' should complement the word 'heat'.

Reflection:

Experience;

I can say that i have started advertisement that i have seen before, how people play with the font, arrangement of words, colours and a few others, it is not that easy. They are so creative!

Observation;

I am still trying my best to figure out something that outside of the box and something that can be easily understood by people when they read it. Obviously, i wanted to make it look creative and unique.t

Finding;

Honestly, i can say that my sketch was not good, but when I am trying it on the adobe illustrator, it does look better. However, I still need to learn more tips and tricks when using the adobe illustrator, at least it can help me a lot more when designing the headlines. Week 8 is the submission date for the task, so I still have time to make changes and trying to get more ideas later.

Typography : (Week 5) Type expression

 

17.2.16 (Week 5)

Fatin Nadia Binti Ishak (300 422 242)

Typography

Lecture: 

Last week was a public holiday, so Mr. Vinod explain further detail about the type expression from Facebook typography group, for our reference :

Vinods Fakebook Ac

February 11 at 8:03pm

Students, 

Now that you have chosen your words and developed your ideas for expression, the next stage is to realize the expression digitally using the fonts supplied.

After digitizing the work, include a brief explanation how/why the words chosen relates to you. Include this in your submission in the final word document (hard copy printout and screen grab)

Vinods Fakebook Ac

February 11 at 8:45pm

Students, the task requires you to choose an appropriate font and arrange it in a unique way so as to express the inherent meaning of the word you chose. You may find your appropriate font from the font folio that has been provided. Remember you are not to create a font or distort the font when attempting to express the meaning. View the examples I provided below.

For those of you who haven't completed your work for this week and uploaded it onto your respective eportfolios, you have till Friday to do so failing which I shall mark you absent for the online class today.

Instruction:

Type expression (20%)Task 1: Identify 4 words that describe you. You will then express typographically the meaning of these words without the aid of a visual. You are only allowed to manipulate the type to express the inherent meaning of the chosen words.

Draw two 7cm squares on an A4 graph paper using a pencil. Ensure the boxes are centered vertically and horizontally in the A4 paper. Do the same for two other sheets of paper to obtain 4 squares in total.

Draw and express you respective words. Upon approval digitize your artworks using Adobe Illustrator and print them out. Update your eportfolio throughout the task and ensure every aspect of the process is documented methodically.

Marking criteria: Your work will be judged on whether you have been able to capture the meaning or action of the chosen words through your designs. The designed words in the type expression task must showcase sensitivity in balance, proportion and composition. It must reflect the inherent meanings of the words. You will be judged on whether you have demonstrated critical thinking and exploration. This evidence must be visible in your postings in the e portfolio and your in-class process work. 

Process:

From the previous e portfolio week 4, Mr. Vinod giving me feedback by saying that i need to make changes and refer to the example given by him, so i went through again the examples and asking few of my classmates on how to exactly doing it, they did explain to me and i came up with a new ideas. I did also make few changes based of the word chosen. 

Finally, i chose four words to best describe my personality; Active, Complicated, Stubborn and Organized.I refer to few pictures from Google; 

Type Expression 

YouTube videos does help too ;

Refer to the link :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6ykdlfLVTA

Refer to the link :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IvFAdI1L8I 

Result: By using Graph Paper (7 x 7)

1)

Word: Complicated (font ; Americana Std)

Reference for expression: Spiral & Round

2) 

Word : Active (font ; Flyer Lf Black Condensed)

Reference for expression : Star

3) 

Word: Organized (font; Italia Std Book)

Reference for expression: Pyramid

4) 

Word: Stubborn (font; Antique Olive Std - Black)

 Reference for expression: Palm / Hand

By using Adobe Illustrator;

Personality: COMPLICATED

5)

Rationale behind the word, complicated:

I chose ‘American Std’ font for the word (COMPLICATED) .I was referring to spiral shape, and later it turns out into a round shape, the word is very close to each other and it shows how hard and complicated to read it. I am a very complicated person because it is very hard for others to understand me, I can easily change my mind, my mood, how I dress up and others, also I am a very mysterious, and unpredictable individuals, according to people who is close to me.

Personality: ACTIVE

6)

Rationale behind the word, active:

For the word ‘ACTIVE’, I chose Flyer Lf Std B,   I used ‘star’ as a reference in order to express it because, usually star is everywhere, seem like the word active. I am a very active person, because I cannot sit and waste time,’ in my mind, I always want to do and achieve something, I love sports, shopping, traveling and I am a student, mother and gym owner at the same time, I do a lot of things at the same time, and enjoying it.

Personality: ORGANIZED

7)

Rationale behind the word, organized:

ORGANIZED is the best word to describe me, for the font I chose ‘Italia Std Book’, and I was referring to a pyramid shape, because I believe that it will be easier for us to achieve our goals or be successful if we are well- organized person, the bottom of the pyramid is always bigger than getting smaller to the top, it shows that, at first we need to do a lot of work before achieve one best result, which will be at the very top of the pyramid. People will agree by saying that I am a very organized person, I prefer to do things systematically and not last minute, so I can perform better, example I will documented information that I get in order to e successful, so others cannot easily go against me.

Personality : STUBBORN

8)

9)

Lastly, for the word STUBBORN, I chose to use an Antique Olive Std – Black. For the expression part I was using the symbol of ‘Palm’ as an example. It is because, usually stubborn people will not listen to others, so when others say something about them or ask them to change their decision or attitude, they will not listen and will usually say, ‘Talk To My Hand’, so I believe that palm is the best symbol to express the word stubborn. According to my Husband and Parents, I am very stubborn individuals, and I rarely follow what they said, it is almost impossible for me to change my decision based of other people, and people who is close to me will say that I am very cold and have a heart of stone. 

FINAL SUBMISSION:

COMPLICATED;

ACTIVE  (Re-submission - Font (Monotype Corsiva);

ORGANIZED;

STUBBORN;

Type Creation : Type Expression Task two

(Final Word Type Creation)

10)

Close -up: Type Creation (Type Expression)

11)

12)

Feedback:

From Facebook message; 

Mr. Vinod :" Nadea, it wasn't exactly what I was expecting however it was incorrect either. It was an interesting approach you took and I'm very interested to hear what you have to say in the discussion where you will get more feedback. From me and everyone else."

Feedback in the class discussion;

After explained in the class why my work in a such different ways, their feedback was ;

Classmate : According to them my approach was different and looks good, Zamen and few others like the arrangement of word "stubborn", which was in a palm/hand shape, it is something different and the explanation really represent the meaning of it.

Kylie says that for word "active", she found that the arrangement of the letter should be adjust so easy for people to read it.

"Organized", according to Rahula it look like an arrangement of book, that well organized and represent the meaning.

"Complicated", most of them agree that the arrangement is good"

Basically, most of them says that my work in the adobe illustrator look better and good compare to the example from the graph paper.

According to Mr. Vinod:

Word Organized = 'At first I wonder why organized were not arranged in a normal way, but after listen to the explanation about the relation of it with arrangement, it does work'.

Word Complicated = He like it, and according to him spiral shape can be done in circular but more complicated, but right now the round shape is still fine.

Word Active = 'I think u had an idea there but there is readable issue if people don't know where to begin with, but if you arrange or place it in a certain way and choose certain type of font, you could show the activism there, it is challenging but you may choose italic font'.

Word Stubborn = 'If you learning illustrator for the first time, it is not an easy things to create, however you manage to do it and it does look good'.

He also add that an Antique Olive Std – Black font i used, was a really good choice.

Reflection:

Experience;

Type expression is somehow difficult task for me, because I don't really understand what the task require me to do, I did few trial and error from the previous e portfolio, and made a few changes after receiving the feedback from Mr. Vinod

Observation;

Creativity is really important for this task, most of the time I use YouTube as a main reference, my hand was shaking when I try to do it on the adobe illustrator, i need to keep referring to the YouTube video on how to drag the word and etc., at some point I was very panicky because the things I have created looks really ugly, then I need to start all over again, which was really tiring.

Finding;

I have learned a lot through the process, patience is the main important thing when using adobe illustrator, if I'm not careful enough things will go wrong. I did learn new things and technique on adobe illustrator too. I have spent about few hours just to create, one word of expression using adobe illustrator. At the end, to come out with word of personality that best describes me is something that i am familiar with.

Typography : (Week 4) Type Expression; Draft & Process

10.2.16 (Week 4)
Fatin Nadia Binti Ishak (300 422 242)
Typography
Lecture:Mr. Vinod starts the day by giving us a general feedback, don’t do things at the very last minute, and don’t ever personal message him on Facebook all the time unless it is necessary, we need to ask our classmate regarding the matter by posting it on the ‘typography group’ in Facebook before referring it to him, according to him we need to take pictures clearly before update it on the e-portfolio. There are about four important things that he taught us during the day, at first he explained again, what the word portfolio is and how it should be done, which is in a PDF form. Presentation of our past work, which is the end result of task two and then he assign us the third task which is about type expression. Again, during the day he explained in more detail about types of font, for instance Serif is actually comprised of three types; which are San serif, display and script and there are few other types of font. Lastly, he explained to us what we need to do for our next task which is a type expression.

Instructions

Type expression (20%) Task 1: Identify 4 words that describe you. You will then express typographically the meaning of these words without the aid of a visual. You are only allowed to manipulate the type to express the inherent meaning of the chosen words.

Draw two 7cm squares on an A4 graph paper using a pencil. Ensure the boxes are centered vertically and horizontally in the A4 paper. Do the same for two other sheets of paper to obtain 4 squares in total.

Draw and express you respective words. Upon approval digitize your artworks using Adobe Illustrator and print them out. Update your eportfolio throughout the task and ensure every aspect of the process is documented methodically.

Marking criteria: Your work will be judged on whether you have been able to capture the meaning or action of the chosen words through your designs. The designed words in the type expression task must showcase sensitivity in balance, proportion and composition. It must reflect the inherent meanings of the words. You will be judged on whether you have demonstrated critical thinking and exploration. This evidence must be visible in your postings in the eportfolio and your in-class process work. 

Research :

I did few research before start the process, by referring to youtube, which was very unique and complicated. 

Refer to the link below;

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LFjMtfZ42fY

Then i saw few examples based of type expression; 

Process: 

I did some research regarding the task, especially when i saw Mr. Vinod post on Facebook few examples of type expression, according to him it need to be based of our own personality, obviously I know what type of person I am, but then I still asked my family members about my own personality based if their perception, and the result was the same as my answer for the question. People who is close to me will say that I am a very stubborn person, it takes time for me to listen to others and I like to do things as what i want it to be, they say that I am very talkative, tidy, conservative, brave, independent and few others. However, people who is not close to me will think that I am a shy, silent, soft and not friendly too. 

Sketch;

Ideas;

Some of my idea was mostly from the internet, i try to google how does type of expression look like, there are a lot actually and most of it are not a common or standard arrangement of font as what i familiar with. 

 

Most of the font will represent or express the meaning of the word or personality itself, for instance, the word shout means loud or something that really stands out, so the example below shows how does the font or arrangement of the letters look like, it really stands out ! 

Then, i finally come out with an idea of creating something that represent of express the word itself, refer to the picture below;

Sketch:

(1)

(2) From graph paper ;

 

(3) Using the calligraphy pen ;

 

I may make some changes later, but so far this is how it will look like for the moment, I wanted to use all capitals for the word organized, because it look more neat and organized in a such way, hardworking word is the mixture of capital and small letters, for aggressive I am using small letters for all but I just make the middle letters smaller compare to few first and last letter, and lastly for stubborn word, I choose to use a basic style of letter, capital letter for 's' and small letters for the rest.

Feedback:

Mr. Vinod: "Nadia, your composition or arrangement of the words do not really enhance or bring out the meaning of the words you have chosen. If you view the examples I have given you can see it quite clearly enhances the meaning of the words through arrangement. Please rework them after analysing the examples I provided".

Reflection:

Experience;

Personally, I believed that it must be hard for an individual to create such a type expression, because it must be hard to create words that really stand out the meaning. It was actually such a beautiful art.

Observation;

Based on my observation, I need a lot more practice and time in order to come out with something that's unique and simple, a lot more research and practice may help me later in the next step of the task, the result shouldn't be too weird and decorative, as what I always did.

Finding;

I found that, using a non-slanted calligraphy pen is not easy and my final result should be a lot more better than what i did so far, hopefully I can figure out something that a lot more better later.

Typography: (Week 3) Type Design on Illustrator

3.2.16 (Week 3)

Fatin Nadia Binti Ishak (300 422 242)

Typography

Lecture:

The class began with Mr. Vinod looking at our second task and giving feedback based of it individually. Mr. Vinod taught us on how to use adobe illustrator, for instance, we need to open a new page for it, turn on the ruler, and turn on the grid (like a graph paper) and few other steps. Next, he taught us about how doing a word portfolio for each week during the semester.

Instruction:

Task 2 (15%): Type Design

You are to design a number of alphabets and punctuations, as determined by the teacher. You will begin by sketching and exploring a minimum of 3 options. 

The sketches of the alphabets are to be submitted on A4 graph paper for selection. As always, you will understand, analyse and reflect on the knowledge acquired during the allotted weeks for the task in your ePortfolio.

Starting with the letter “o” design a string of alphabets of similar characteristics. The subsequent letters must spell your name and therefore the characteristics of the letters must represent your personality.

Read or view the teaching material below to understand:

How to design your own typeface
So you want to create a font
The Ultimate Guide on How to Create a Font

There are many more resources out there you may read, please do if you have the time.

The videos below should be viewed at a later stage of the task, when students are more knowledgeable and ready to digitize their letters.

Marking criteria: You will be judged on your creativity; the aesthetics of your letter and how consistent are they with regard to their character or personality – do they look like a family of characters. You will be judged on whether you have made the appropriate research and analysis of other typefaces, whether you have demonstrated critical thinking and exploration. This evidence must be visible in your postings in the eportfolio and your in-class process work. 

Duration: 2 weeks
Deadline: week 3

Process : 

I simplify my font; it was a square shape, so i make it less wide and remove the crown shape decor on each alphabet.

(1) First attempt:

 

(2) Second and final result:

(3) My font using the Adobe Illustrator

Feedback:

According to Mr. Vinod critique throughout the previous process is that, instead of having so many of point, i can reduce the intensity of the character by maintaining one or two. After a few attempts it evolves into more simpler, which is fine, he says ' it is a nice font, i think nice looking font.

 Zameen says that the 'D' font looks like an 'O' font.

 Kylie says, i should the belly of the 'D' a little bit more.

However, Mr. Vinod says it will look a lot more better if i can add a bit curves at the end of both sides so it will look a little bit more like human font rather than too mechanical. He also adds that, the process is very important; it's like a DNA because we need to go back and reconstruct it again. Shahrul says the thickness of the straight line is not similar, but Mr. Vinod claims that, "Mr. Vinod eyes say that the size of the thickness of the line is the same"
 

Reflection:

Experience: 

I realized that Mr. Vinod wants us to create a font that is simple and have personality on it. It was not that easy, because my font was very decorative and it will be time consuming to write even one letter, so logically i think that the simple one is better and make sense.

Observation: 

Honestly, i did a lot of practice and each font does resemble each other, but then the final font is much more better, with just a little, but bump at the x-axis, it does look a lot simpler and unique compare to previous font that i have created.

Finding:

The Lecturer feedback really helps me; I can finally know what type of character that i need to actually put in my font and it is better for me to not overdo my font as before. So i may use the experience for the next task, I realized that in typography simple things is better than ever.

(4) Final submission, Type Creation: Task 2 (Type Design)

(5) ' Close-up'