WEEK TWO / GREAT DESIGN THROUGH GREAT TYPOGRAPHY / CE 1443 / continuing education / summer 2006
typography resources
designing with type
counter space
typographica
typolis
typography online
FUSE
fonts online-fuse
Herb Lubalin
House Industries
WORKING WITH TYPE
Hierarchy of information: proximity, size and space
In class assignment: This is an exercise in restraint. The idea is to work with the content copy shown or similar content if you like. Set it up in a square 6" x 6" format. Begin arranging the information by order of importance. The most obvious settings for hierarchy are top to bottom. After you've set the type with this in mind, begin mixing up the possibilities by using space and the grid. Create several layouts using just these devices. Once you've done these, enter another element to distinguish one bit of information from another. For example, alter type weight, type size, type placement and color (black or white). Remember, keep it simple and clean. We are just trying to create separation from the various content points. The layout should still look organized and consider the feeling of space and the beauty of the type form.
in class samples
Out of class assignment / choose one:
THE CALENDAR PAGE
Now that we are effectively working with type hierarchy and creatively using size and space, we should apply this to a working form. For content, use: MONTH, YEAR, DAYS OF THE WEK AND NUMBERS OF DAYS. I've included some examples below. These are just to get you started. APPLY THE DEVICES USE HAVE BEEN USING IN THE PREVIOUS EXERCISES. The most common slip students make with this assignment is they begin to think of what a calendar page should look like rather than apply their new found methods. WORK WITH SIZE, SPACE, FORM/COUNTERFORM, AND THE STRUCTURE OF THE TYPE FACE.
TYPE SPECIMAN POSTER Using the devices we have explored up to this point; form/counter form, the grid, structure of composition and framing reference - Use these to create a poster that will showcase a typeface. The only other guidelines are that it be just black and white, on an 8.5 x 11" document. For content, use the name of the typeface and all it's characters (cap and lower case are optional) and numbers. Remember, we are still looking at issues of form and composition. Explore the space, explore the edges of the frame, explore form and counter form. Take a lusty approach to these issues, take chances, be aggressive, be thoughtful... then decide on what you like.
