COMM398D - Letter-form Abstractions
ASSIGNMENT PT.1:
1. Working within a 3-x-3-inch square with a high stroke weight, create compositions using a single letter-form. Examine the forms and counter-forms of the letter. Experiment with different fonts. Use shear, rotation, feathering, or other effects on some of the letter-forms.
2. Try isolating just enough of each letter to hint at its identity. Strike a balance between positive and negative space. Think about the mood you are trying to evoke with the presentation.
3. Create a total of four compositions with the same letter (ex: all the letter “G”) with different themes to turn in. Label each with the theme. In a separate Word document, write 30 to 50 words on why you feel each of your four compositions evokes or conveys that theme. Tell what font, font size, and what effect (rotate, shear, stretch, etc.) you used for each letter.
My Type Analysis:
Energetic:
In this theme, I wanted to portray energy and movement within the letter-form. The font used is Akronim regular at 140pt size. After I adjusted the font, I added a feather effect to give a faded and unclear view of the B. I believe this communicates the message of energy and movement due to its blurry image with organic lines in the typeface to convey the impression of a fast pace. I also rotated the B on its axis to portray it running off to the corner of the box, demonstrating the letter-form at a glance.
Timid:
The theme created here is the act of being timid and shy. The font I used is Papyrus regular at 72pt size. Within the large box, you find a bashful and lonely lowercase B in the corner. I changed this letter-form to lowercase to convey the message of not being the big guy and feeling small against everything else (In this setting, the white space). I added a drop shadow to give the effect of hiding behind something. The typeface also helped create a jagged and shaky appearance. Representing when people display timorous, they may get a little apprehensive and tremble.
Bold:
The overall theme for this letter-form was boldness and bravery. The font used is RockwellRegular in 400pt size. The letter-form is all up in your face and takes up most of the foreground, blocking out its white space. I chose a thick typeface that would represent a strong, brave, and confident type of character. Unlike the timid B, this letter B is ready to be upfront and get your attention.
Madness:
You don’t want to mess with this guy. He’s mad and out of control! In this theme, I wanted to show a letter-form that conveys madness or the idea of being out of control. The font I used is Saira Stencil One regular at 300pt size. I wanted to manifest the letter-form out of control, so I broke the box’s boundaries and carried the B outside of its constraints. The font also shows a break in the letter, addressing a sense of madness, as if it was so mad it snapped in half!
ASSIGNMENT PT.2:
In this part of the assignment, really think about a theme you are trying to convey (i.e. anger, surprise, joy) with your designs, whether symmetrical or asymmetrical. Working in a 3 x 3 inch square with high stroke weight in InDesign, arrange three of four geometric elements (circles, squares, rectangles, triangles, etc) in a symmetrical way (using White’s notions of bilateral symmetry and radial/rotational symmetry). Start with variations in which all the elements are the same size and then create symmetrical designs with elements of different size. Experiment with scale. Use the pathfinder tool to create new shapes or punch out holes in a background.
1. Create two symmetrical squares with different emotions or themes. Label each with the theme you are trying to evoke.
2. Create asymmetrical designs using forms of different sizes. Experiment until you find visual balance in each composition. For example, use several small elements to offset one larger one. Use the pathfinder tool to create new shapes or punch out holes in a background.
Symmetry & Asymmetry
& Activated White space
Energetic:
In the symmetrical design, I laid out rectangular shapes to create a repetitive background. I manipulated the star-shaped polygon by adjusting its points and overlapping its scene. I wanted these stars to represent bursts of movement and energy. I executed four even circles around the corners to help retain round edges exhibiting continuous action and flow. These shapes and designs were created by selecting the objects and applying the exclude option of the pathfinder tool to create a powerful abstract visual that fluctuates the viewers' eyes within the composition.
Bold:
Boldness consists of secure and symmetrical shapes. In the foreground, you can see a gigantic overlapping triangle. I chose this shape because triangles/pyramids are known to be well built structural pieces. When I think of bold or brave, I imagine someone showing an ability to take risks; confident and courageous. In the background is a row of circles that help create balance in the piece. By using the exclude overlap pathfinder tool, the layers made a composition that has unique forms. The continuity of black and white space encourages the viewer to imagine other shapes in the negative space. In the center of the composition, you will find behind everything is a solid rectangle that helps create the effect of it holding the box to its shape.
Timid:
The idea for this composition was to show shyness/loneliness. I created a triangle in the upper right corner to give contrast to the varying sides I am conveying. I then set white dots overlapping this shape. The repetition of circles is to show a crowd of similar things. The polygon star was manipulated by adjusting its points even more than before. The star shows contrast and differentiable from the circles. Leaving the star outside of the black area and alone in the negative white space.
Madness:
What else could this be? This scene is out of control! A mess. Rectangles, ellipses, and polygon contrast each other with different sizes and forms. Shapes were sporadically and impulsive created. I wanted this composition to show an asymmetrical piece that has no sense of order at all. Madness can display actions of blowing up or causing a chaotic mess, which I wanted to depict. I used the pathfinder tool to help pull through whites in the forms creating even more of a chaotic sense and disorganization.
