duck, duck, goose

No. Just duck.

Today in class we critiqued around the room and I thought class was pretty successful today! I enjoyed seeing other works and hearing different views on everyones drawings.  By the time we got around to me we were on the last leg but I took away some things to work on and refine.  I was also getting a little sleepy towards the end of class, but not because I was bored! Far from it.  More because of the fact that I was up until 2:30 working on my drawings, something I'm not used to as a morning person.  I survived though and will now prepare more thoroughly ahead of time!

Here are a few of my images I will work on refining for next class period (a whole week away!):

Painterly.

Gestural.

Straight Lines.

Shapes.

Never ask a type its weight.

Type can be very sensitive.

• Define weight: The density or the lightness of the individual letterforms (GIRWT pg. 17).  The quickest most efficient way of calling attention to a word, sentence or paragraph (GDR pg. 64).
• Define width: Adjusting the thickness of a type or individual letterform in order to create a condensed or extended effect to better-fit space (GDR pg. 64).
• Define style: Variances in typefaces; whether it be roman vs. italic or oblique or small caps or display, tilting figure vs. old-style figures, etc (GDR pg. 65).
• Define font: A specific size and style of a given typeface (GIRWT pg. 16).
• Define typeface: A complete alphabet including letters, numerals, punctuation marks, accents, special reference marks, etc. (GIRWT pg. 15).
• Define x-height: The height of a lowercase x (GIRWT pg. 12).
• Define cap height: The height of capital letterforms (GIRWT pg. 12).
• Define leading: The spacing between the lines of letters, pronounced “leeding” (GIRWT pg. 14).
• Define letterspacing (tracking): Inserting tiny spaces between letters when they appear to tightly together to make them more agreeable to the eye (GIRWT pg. 15). 

• How is type measured in inches, mm, points or picas?: Points
• Define point: The unit used for the measurement of letterforms (GIRWT pg. 14).
• Define pica: Anglo-Saxon/Duodecimal system of measurement (LF pg. 53)
• How many points in an inch? 72 points/inch
• If a letter is set in 36 pts about how many inches tall is it? Half an inch
• How many picas in an inch? 6 picas/inch
• How many points in a pica? 12 points/pica

*Examples to be added soon!  Meanwhile, figure out what type you are!

http://www.pentagram.com/what-type-are-you/

getting to know the grid

Project One: Questions about the grid

·      Define Grid: A structure made up of horizontal and vertical lines, and on it the designer places components such as headings, text, images, captions etc. (Squire, pg 100).

·     Why do we use a grid: A grid is essential, as it is the basis on which information is organized and clarified, ensuring legibility.  The grid provides a framework where text, images, and space can be combined in a unified and cohesive manner (Squire, pg 100).

·      Define Modular Grid: An area calculated in depth by the text leading and width by the text line length (Squire, pg 102).  A grid made with horizontal and vertical gutters creating modules.

Margins.

·      Define Margins: The area that is not accommodated by the text (Squire, pg 102).

Columns.

·      Define Columns: Text positioned within the grid and formed by modules.  Enables the designer to maintain consistent line length (Squire, pg 104).

Grid Modules.

·      Define Grid Modules: An area calculated in depth by the text leading and width by the text line length (Squire, pg 102).

Flowline.

·      Define Flowlines: Horizontal line that appears on a layout within the text so your eye goes through the page.

Gutter.

·      Define Gutter: Inner margins of the page that separate modules from one another (Squire, pg 102).

·      Define Hierarchy: An order of importance, placing text/items on a page so that one appears more prominent than the others and so on (Squire, pg 108).

·      Define  Typographic Color: The optical "grayness" of text type, particularly visible while squinting when viewing a block of text. The overall typographic color of a block of type is affected by the weight or boldness of the typeface, as well as the x-height and the contrast of the typeface used (PicaStudio.com)

·      Ways to achieve a clear Hierarchy: Hierarchy depends on the nature of the text but a good rule of thumb is: 1. Heading, 2. Subheading, 3. Text, 4. Footnotes, 5. Headers/footers, 6. Folios.  The following criteria should be used to emphasize hierarchy: 1. Choice of typeface, 2. Paragraph Spaces, 3. Use of type styles, 4. Alignment (Squire, pg 108).

·      Define  White Space: Negative space, space where no image or text exists.  Enables hierarchy and can add tension or dramatic effect (GDR, pg 54).

·      Define Contrast: Operates on two levels: first, how the elements within the layout contrast, and, second, how the layout itself contrasts within its context.  Done through various uses of visual comparison (GDR, pg 55).

rubber ducky, you're the one

So for my animal, I have chosen the duckling.  A very cute, cuddly, friendly looking animal.  I choose this swimming bird because it is versatile and will lend itself to many different interpretations.  It is also the type of animal you could assign many different human characteristics to in order to create different characters, if needed.

A duckling is described as a "young duck" by The Free Dictionary.  They describe a duck as a "small wild or domesticated web-footed broad-billed swimming bird usually having a depressed body and short legs."

Type Challenge

Today we were challenged to find letters within the scenery - so to speak.  My partner, Bailey, and I came up with a couple different examples.

I'm back!

New year, same blog.

I'm excited to get this year started.  Looking forward to both my design classes this semester; as well as the two (that's right, two) art history classes I'm taking.  Should be fun, talk to you soon!

Steph