The goal of this assignment was to use a font created by a classmate and produce a type specimen, which showcases the font and its specific qualities. I was required to create specimens for: a set of three 18×24 printed posters. All of the specimens could only use black + one PMS color. We were told not to use any images in any of the specimens. The first poster had to show the phrase that inspired the typeface. The phrase dictated the look of the font which was jagged and sharp. I knew my specimen must adhere to the general feeling the font produced.

The second poster could only show one character. After brainstorming on ideas for the specimen, i decided on having a winter-like, icy, theme. The sharp points of the font are similar to icicles. I chose a light blue color which supported the theme.

The third poster had to show the complete character set I designed.

The purpose of this project was to create a poster with information relating to a know type foundry. The layout of the poster was an integral facet of the project. Font choice was also important in the success of the project. I began with designing a grid system. I experimented with the layout of the information and thought about how certain column structures would work with the design and its text. I chose fonts that were easy to read and resembled texts used in magazines and newspapers.

The first step I took in creating my symbols was brainstorming and exploring different ideas that I wanted to create a symbol for. For organization, I used a web-map to plot my topics on. I needed to choose an umbrella concept or idea that I could break down into 3 sub-concepts. I decided on using Travel as my main concept. I then had to decide what were 3 good sub-topics that related to Travel. When I think of travel I make associations with feet, roads, and discovery; and so I chose these 3 to break down further into a total of 9 sub-sub-topics. For feet, I associated steps, motion, and hiking. For road, I associated dead ends, Cardinal directions, and maps. And for discovery, I associated compass, ship, and eyes. For each set of 3 sub-sub-topics I drew one topic by hand, one by tracing, and one I turned into an abstract image.

The picture above are the topics I chose to trace.

Here are some abstractions of 3 of my topics.

After completing my abstractions, tracings, and hand drawings, I started to combine the various mediums into hybrid images. I took certain qualities and shapes from one subjects and spliced them into other subjects. I meshed up to 3 topics and mediums into a single hybrid image.

I continued to make iterations on the hybrid topics. I aimed for simplicity, but also for uniqueness and attractiveness.  I started to envision these hybrid images as symbols. I thought about symbols I have seen and what qualities they had, and applied said qualities to my images.

I chose 3 of my favorite image combinations and made vector representations of them in Illustrator. Then I made iterations of the images. I made alternate versions of the images but kept the same components of the original image. I inverted colors, played with contrast, added shapes, removed shapes, played with anchor points, etc.

After making all my iterations, I chose my 3 favorite. The project was complete.

The purpose of this project was to design a calendar using a grid system. I was given the font sizes and the page size; all other aspects of the design were determined by me. Indesign was used to create the calendar. The assignment helped me understand the importance and uselfulness of grid systems in design. With a grid, I realized the design process was much easier because my parameters were set up. After completing this project, I understood how to alter and set up grids in Indesign for the purpose of structuring my design.

The project’s purpose was to design type specimens for the Fonstruct font I made. Fonstruct allows you to create a font using various shapes or components that combine into one character. The first three images are posters that showcase my font. The next two images are a Facebook profile picture and cover image, and the last three were made to be placed onto my tumblr account. Indesign was used to make the specimen. All specimens could only use black and one PMS color for the font. This project helped me understand what a type specimen is and why they are made. I learned to pay attention to the various forms of media in our world today such as posters, social media, websites, etc. and how my designs should be made to fit such outlets for information. In many instances, designs are reproduced through out various forms of media and must be “flexible” as to not limit themselves to a single outlet. In creating each of these specimens, I envisioned what they would look like through the medium they would be seen from. The first poster shows only one character.

The second poster shows every character created.

The third poster contains the phrase that inspired the font.

This poster shows the Facebook profile picture.

This poster is the Facebook cover image.

In designing my specimens, I wanted to keep the theme of my font which, to me, was a sense of airiness and elevation. I did not want to crowd my design with too much shape or line because I thought it would take away from the purpose of my specimen: showcasing my font. So, I kept the design simple and used words that supported the theme of my font.

I chose to incorporate gradients into the designs to enhance the sense of elevation.

The goal of this assignment was to trace an image with the pen tool in Adobe Illustrator and then add color. I learned how to use the pen tool more efficiently while making the tracing. Coloring the image was a challenge but after completing the project, I felt I had better understanding of how to make color.