Pep Talk is a video-based specimen book for the font Varsity Ham. I created this slab serif font from scratch in Illustrator, crafting each letter to be bold and in charge. Once finished, I explored how Varsity Ham could be used as an expressive tool. Using a variety of styles, techniques, and mediums this project examines how type can convey sentiment as well as meaning.
This piece is equally a pep talk. These are all phrases I have told myself in order to start, keep working on, or finish a project. Sometimes we need a little reminder. I hope watching this gives you a little extra pep to keep chugging along or even to start something new. These phrases helped me get through this project and pushed me to try new techniques and styles.
The font was created from scratch in Adobe Illustrator based on a 72 pt cap height. Starting with the I, I chose the height and width of my base serif. The lines behind the word "VARSITY HAM" were my guides which are based on all the multiples of 72. Below is some of my original brainstorming for the font.
At some point I'd love to make a thin and outline version of Varsity Ham.
The second half of the project was to create a video using my font. I struggled with the best way to do this and decided a specimen book, but in video format would be best. The topic was a little harder. Below is some of the brainstorming for the video concept.
When I finally started writing down motivational phrases, I realized that was what I wanted to do. I wrote down what initially came to mind and then added more later. Each phrase would have its own 3-6 second segment, completely independent of the other pieces. I pulled together a shot order for the phrases. I tried to follow a pattern that took me from the start to end of a project with all the triumphs and tribulations in between.
With a 9 week schedule, I chose to create three segments a week from start to finish. A few segments I had ideas for from the first brainstorming. A few of them changed along the way, but this process allowed me to do that. Below is my shot list and schedule.
Every week was exciting and fun because I was able to work on something different and try new things. Below are a few behind the scenes photos from live action/stop motion segments.
