Typography (Week 8) - Love letter (Process & options)

9/3/16 (Week 8)

Fatin Nadia Binti Ishak (300 422 242)

Typography

Lecture:

Mr. Vinod giving us comment individually, then he explained about our next task, we need to later post it to ourselves and update it on the eportfolio. He also says that we need to save adobe illustrator work in pdf format.

Instruction: 

Type arrangement (30%)

Task 1 (10%): The Letter
In this task, you will write (type) a single page love letter to your beloved who has been abroad for the last 6 months. The year is 1986, the world wide web or internet isn’t yet available to the masses, however the desktop computer has been invented. Letters are still a popular means to send and receive news. As, such it has been your practice to write one letter a week on your new desktop computer, print it, seal it in an envelop and post it to your beloved. This single page letter must be written sensibly and sensitively.

Your task is to use Adobe Illustrator to format this letter in a classical letter writing format (in the days of old) – when letter writing was done by hand – using a suitable font (or a combination of fonts), and appropriate margins, alignment, point size, leading and line length.

You will be required to print two copies; one without creases or folds, the other for postage. The letter for posting will require an envelop, as such thought must be put into the writing of the address on the envelop. You will post this letter to yourself, and you will bring this letter to class for submission and discussion. You will as always document all the processes, drafts and the final results on your eportfolio.

     
Above: Classical letter samples

Important reading references:
Purdue: Common Letter Writing Formats
Good Letter Writing: Personal Letter Writing TemplateGood Letter Writing: Layouts

(Note* If you stumble on some additional references, do share the on our Facebook group).

Marking Criteria: Lorem Ipsum…

Duration: 2 weeks
Deadline: week 10

Primary Research:

When does internet invented?

Refer to the link below:

http://www.history.com/news/ask-history/who-invented-the-internet

It says that, the online world took more recognizable form in 1990. Those were the time when Tim Berners- Lee invented the World Wide Web, and based of my research an Internet Protocol-based videoconferencing became possible at the 1990s.

So basically, the lovers totally relies on the love letters as their tool of communication, no video conference etc., YM, MSN, MySpace or even Facebook, to share their pictures and details. It will take weeks and probably months for the recipient to receive those love letters and some pictures too.

Does air service already exist during 1980s?

Refer to the link :

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airline

The first fixed wing scheduled air service was started on January 1, 1914 from St. Petersburg, Florida to Tampa, Florida. 

That means, they need to buy a flight ticket in order to be together, since the format says that the lovers went abroad for 6 years.

What type of popular font people use in the 80s?

Above is a picture that came out, for the popular font that people use in 1980s.

I try to search also, what type of font people will usually use when they type a love letter.

Secondary Research:  

Next, i need to see sample of love letters in the 1980s... ( i can't really read some of it, it’s because they prefer cursive and italic type of font )

Ideas and Inspiration:

I want to choose font that already exist before 1986, so it will be a lot more logic to write a 1986 love letters.

From movie; 

“Letters to Juliet " , my favourite movie, it basically a romantic movie and something to do with a precious love letter, so it can be relates to the task.

Greatest love letters of all time;

From Song lyrics;

1980s love song, i want to get some ideas from a lyrics and it may be useful for my letter too. So i search for love songs in the decades:

Sketch:

(Try and Error); I just want to know how it will look like before type out in the adobe illustrator.

I wanted to put in picture;

1) 

2)

3) 

Story line behind the love letter:

Basically the couple live next door to each other (neighbour) they are in love but the guy being send to other country for work purposes. The women missing the men, they did not see each other for about 6 months.

Process in Adobe Illustrator:

4) First love letter = Tahoma font for address etc. (11 point) & Antique Olive Std for body (10 point)

5) Second love letter = Times New Roman for address (10 point) etc. & Papyrus font for body (9 point).

6) Third love letter = Pompeijana LT Std Roman font for address and etc. (11 point) & Script Mt Bold for font (10 point)

 Submission of 3 options:

7) First love letter;

8) Second love letter;

9) Third love letter:

Feedback:

- I need to adjust the placement of the recipients address.

- Cursive forms (never use upper cases in one goals) = in my signature part.

- He applaud my attempt of different font choice but I need to explore more, try and Google (font combination).

- Interesting choice of font for Antique Olive and Script Mt bold.

- Good consideration (thought), for choosing font before 1986, credit for the process.

Reflection:

Observation; 

Honestly after doing research i found that writing a love letter is not a simple task because it really requires a sincere job from your heart, it is not a simple essay as well. I wonder how some people can actually write out a very sensitive and meaningful love letter.

Experience:

It is actually my first time ever writing a love letter, so it was such a difficult task for me, how i wish i can a romantic person and being able to write such a beautiful love letters like a professional.

Finding: 

I've found that our task getting more complicated each time. It requires not just creativity but also a lot of experience in order to create a best result and something that outside of the box. But then even though i am a psychology major, i actually realize that the subject really benefit me in a lot of aspects and taught me how to value others work too.

Typography : (Week 7) Ad Expression : Continous

 

2/3/16 (Week 7)

Fatin Nadia Binti Ishak (300 422 242)

Typography

Lecture:

Font size, even 8 point (different size): base lines and Ascender.

Longer Width: The larger the body type.

Column type in typography: The best 50 characters not more than 65 characters.

Font size determines line length.

Character & Word space: 'Kerning' is when you want to adjust space between letters, 'Widows' and 'Orphan', 'Tracking' is when you want to adjust space between words. 'Raging' is an irregular result at the end that is not smooth.

Special Characteristic is when you want to give special character, for instance from adobe illustrator you click 'type' then click 'glyph'. Or else, from window, you can click 'accessories' then click 'character map'. Other example of it will be, 'ligatures'/ 'swashes' (which cannot be used together) /For Gothic font, there should be no capital letters.

Line Spacing: 'leading', point size 8pt after that only two or three point larger.

Alignment: 'flush left' & 'rag right'.

Spacing: Don't double space, press 'shift' then press 'enter'.

Blogger: Click (Tx) to delete type formatting.

No paragraph space on blog but indent: in order to signify a new paragraph.

Please avoid 'Widow' and 'Orphan'.

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! 

(For further instruction, please refer to the link below)

http://fatinnadiatypo.blogspot.my/2016/02/typography-ad-expression.html

Process : 

Continuation from last week eportfolio :

Firstly, I would like show a book that i had constantly refer to besides YouTube videos,

Adjustment & Amendment:

Based on Mr. Vinod general feedback, I realized that i need to make little adjustment of my work; he says that font for words should be compatible with each other. Even though, I am using the same basic Zebrawood Standard for all font, i can see that it doesn't not really fit example for word "feel the" with the word "heat".

(1)

(2)

Basic explanation: 

Then I have decided to add the stripes element inside the word "feel" and "the" using the calligraphy pen from the adobe illustrator. Basically, it will represent the tiger stripes; also it looks much better and more compatible with the word "heat" since it already has few elements originally inside the font.

(3) 

Final Submission:

I've changed the arrangement style of the headlines, for the word "feel", i have changed the Bend to 20% with warp from the > envelope distort >

.

Rationale behind the Ad Expression: 

Reason is because, I that it looks nicer and harmonious combination of words, it is in the medium size, but for the word "the", i have added the stripe element inside the font and I chose it to be the smallest in size and in normal arrangement of straight line.

Since, I am focusing more on the word "heat", i did not add any elements inside the font, but instead the original font has already provided few elements in it, for example, there is a little dot or round shape of elements in it which can represent sweat or drops of water, hot things can cause sweat on the human body. I used the biggest size of font for the word "heat", so its catching-eyes people can see it clearly.

         As a conclusion, I basically chose Zebrawood Standard Fill font and Zebrawood Standard Regular font because both came from a similar basic group of font, it looks more compatible especially when I added the stripes. Then the font itself has the curves and unique design at every angle of the alphabets which similar to flames or fire shapes. For the word "heat" original elements in it already represent the meaning that i am trying to express for the headlines.

Type Creation: Type Expression (Task 2)

(4)

Feedback: According to Mr. Vinod, i should make it in portrait style rather than landscape style. For the headlines mine is decorative, for word "heat" instead of doing that i should change the gradient of the font, he understand that i want it to shows contrast of colour from white to black (bottom to up) which represent flames. However, Mr. Vinod giving me credit for the arrangement of the copy ad because he says it is good that i have follow his instruction that it should be between 50 to 65 letters in one line and the logo is in the same line and size as the copy. There are also smooth kerning and raging for the copy.

Reflection:

Experience; 

Based on my experience, I can say that to create a headline is not an easy task, if we think that it looks nice others may not think so. I need to do a lot research and basically try again the product in order to get an inspiration on how to express the headline.

Observation; 

Through my observation, I can say that my work doesn't look professional, even though i had a lot of idea in my mind, it's just that i am not sure how to use the adobe illustrator fully and express my ideas. I had constantly referred to YouTube video and few textbooks, just to create some simple elements in my work.

Finding;

I've found that, through experience and research i can actually come out with something that hopefully meet the task requirement. Time management is very important too, because i can say that so far all of the tasks i did really consume a lot of time, and last minute work doesn't really work for me.

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.