Project 01

Project 01 Step 01
Glyph Composition: Thumbnails

What are we doing?

Research Helvetica and Adobe Garamond to identify their unique characteristics and anatomy. Using this new information, you will begin the process of designing two compositions by drawing 24 thumbnail sketches (with pen or pencil) to explore options.

Project 01 Overview | Create an interesting composition with only letterforms/glyphs to demonstrate aesthetic skill and understanding. You will also learn to identify the anatomical parts of letterforms.

Why are we doing it?

While letterforms are all around us, we rarely pay attention to their detail. Helvetica is a sans serif typeface, which means it is without serifs. Adobe Garamond is a serif typeface, which means it has serifs. Sans serif and serif are two major classifications of typography. In observing these two typefaces during this project, we will be introduced to the structure and anatomy of typefaces. The 24 sketches should explore a wide range of ideas, rather than variations on one idea. More ideas provide more opportunity for success and discovery.

“To see is to think, and drawing is another way of seeing.” —Richard Serra

Why Drawing?

Drawing is a way of seeing. That is why we are making thumbnail sketches with pen or pencil. Looking at the examples of Helvetica and Adobe Garamond and reproducing them by drawing will help you see details of each font’s design and compare them against each other.

Drawing is fast. Producing thumbnail sketches is fast and cheap. It takes much less time to explore a wide range of options. These thumbnails are not meant to be finished works of art. Rather, they are visual notes that we can use later in the design process. Drawing for communication endows visual ideas with their first visual form. A drawing is an image that can be more expressive than words.

How are we going to do it?

We first need to begin by downloading Project 01 workbook (IDML*) and Project 1 Step 1 Resources (PDF).

* IDML stands for InDesign Markup Language. This file can be used on CS4–CS6. When you first open the file, it will be named “untitled.” You will need to give it a name when you save the file.

Download

• Download the Project 01 Resources from the Project 01 page.
• Print Project 01 Resources PDF (4 pages) from the downloaded file.
• Examine the type samples and anatomy handouts in the PDFs.

Specifications

Use the following specifications. Failure to follow the specifications will result in a low grade.

• The page size for each composition should be 8 inches wide by 9.5 inches tall
• Helvetica should be used in one composition, and Garamond in the second composition
• Each composition must contain five to eight different glyphs
• Each composition must include at least five unique glyphs (you may not use 3 a's, etc.)
• Each composition should contain: a stem, stroke, spine, bowl, and ascender (or descender)
• Each composition must be black or white. No gray and no color
• At least 2 glyphs should be black, and 2 glyphs should be white
• Do not use outlined glyphs
• Use only alphanumeric glyphs (numbers and letters). No punctuation, etc.
• Each composition should be abstract, but follow design theory. Do not make pictures
• Try to showcase the personality of the font

Sketch

• The resource book contains a template for the thumbnail sketches.
• Be sure to include all of the following anatomical elements in each composition: a stem, stroke, spine, bowl, and ascender (or descender).
• Complete the sketches for Helvetica in the top 12 compositions.
• Complete the sketches for Adobe Garamond in the bottom 12 compositions.

Scan

• Scan the completed thumbnails template, using 300 ppi grayscale.
• Open the image in Adobe Photoshop to straighten and touch up the scan.
• Crop the image using the crop marks
• Export the scan. File > Save for Web & Devices. In the dialog box, choose JPEG, Very High. In the same dialog box, change the image size to w: 1000 px.
• Name the image and click Save.

Workbook

Workbook Template

• If you haven’t downloaded the Project 1 Workbook, do it now.
• Open the Project 1 Workbook.
• Go to page 3.
• Select the large image box.
• Place the scan. File > Place. Then navigate to the thumbnails and click OK.
• Fit image. Object > Fitting > Fit Content Proportionately
• Mark 3 thumbnails from each font that are the best compositions.

Exporting Page

• Export page 3. File > Export > Jpeg. Name, then save file

Finished Project 01 Step 01 | Thumbnails workbook page. 24 finished sketches, 12 Helvetica and 12 Adobe Garamond. It is a good idea to review the project instructions to make sure each thumbnail meets the requirements. Notice how the orange dots have been used to mark the compositions. | by C. Thomson

Process Blog Post

After you have completed all of the steps listed above for this lesson, you are ready to complete your process blog post.Blogposts should be structured like a presentation with a beginning, middle and end. Each step will involve it's own process and its own unique challenges and successes. Introduce the assignment, talk about what worked for you and what didn't, explain which of your solutions are working using design principles to back it up. If you have specific questions about how to move forward, you can ask them in the blogpost.

Please include the following in your blog post:

• Write a 200-word blog post that includes the JPEG image exported from Adobe InDesign.
• Copy the text from the blog post and paste it into Project 01 workbook.
• Include paragraph breaks, subheads, or other typographic elements to make the post visually accessible.
• The post should be designed and encourage a reader to engage.
• Include a featured image (Instructions are included on the P0S0 blog post lesson page)

Once the Process Blog Post is complete, submit a link to the post in I-Learn. To submit the link in I-Learn, click the P1S1 link in the left navigation and then click the Open button at the bottom of the I-Learn window.

After you have submitted your assignment in I-Learn, you will need to provide feedback to your team members in WordPress. Your feedback to team members will be on the following areas:

• Idea: Rate the uniqueness of the overall idea. Is it ordinary and expected or original and unexpected?
  • 1–3 pts: unimaginative – confusing
  • 4–6 pts: ok – great
  • 7–10 pts: great – amazing
• Formal design choices: Rate how well the design principles are used.
  • 1–3 pts: unimaginative – confusing
  • 4–6 pts: ok – great
  • 7–10 pts: great – amazing
• Typography: Rate font choice, size, kerning and spacing, add to the communication of the concept.
  • 1–3 pts: not at all
  • 4–6 pts: doesn’t help or hurt
  • 7–10 pts: significantly adds to the overall communication
• Portfolio: Would you put this in your portfolio? Base this on the quality of the work, not whether it would be appropriate for your personal portfolio.
  • 1–3 pts: no
  • 4–6 pts: maybe with changes
  • 7–10 pts: yes with no changes – absolutely
• Blog Post: Rate the quality of blog post.
  • 1–3 pts: messy, unclear, major errors
  • 4–6 pts: understandable, organized, rambling, spelling or grammar errors
  • 7–10 pts: clear, thoughtful, engaging, free from errors

You should list the item, your rating, and any comments you had to help your team member improve. Your feedback on process blog posts will not be used as part of their grade but will help you to teach one another to improve their work.

Reading

Course Syllabus

The course syllabus sets the guidelines for the course. You should read the syllabus in order to be aware of all course policies. If you have any questions or concerns about the course or the policies, please address them within the first week of the course.

Resources

• Art 230 Typography Syllabus