Podcast #4: Typography!

Define typography?
The art of expressing ideas through the selection of appropriate typefaces!

Where did the word "typography" originate from?
Greek- typos- (form) & -graphy (writing)

What does typography involve?
Illustrative techniques; spacing, line thickness, line space, etc.

What is a typeface?
Distinctive designs of visual symbols that are used to compose a printed image/design

What is another term for typeface?
FONTS!

What is a character?
Individual symbols that make up a typeface; letters, numerals, and punctuation marks

What is type style?
Modifications in a typeface that create design variety while maintaining the visual style of the typeface; bold, italic, condensed, roman, heavy

What does type style "create" within a design?
Creates consistency and variety of interest

What is the waist line and what does it indicate?
Imaginary line drawn at the middle of the characters

What is a base line and what does it indicate?
Imaginary line drawn at the bottom of the characters

What is an ascender?
The part of the character that extends above the waist line

What is a descender?

The part of the character that extends below the base line

Describe a serif?
Smaller line used to finish off a main stroke of a letter, usually at the top and bottom of a character

How can the size of the typeface be identified?
Point size- the vertical measurement used to identify the size of a typeface; top of the ascender to the bottom of the descender

What is a point?
Unit that measures point size

How many points are in an inch?
72 points

What is a pica and how many are in an inch?

6 picas/inch

How many points are in a pica?
12 points

What is body type and where can it be found?
Type sizes that range from 4 point through 12 point type; found in places where there is a lot of text to be read

What is the key to selecting appropriate typefaces to be used as body type?
Readability!

What is display type and how is it used?
Type sizes above 12 points. Typically used to draw attention to a message (headlines, subheadlines, etc.)

What is reverse type and when would it be used?
Consists of white type on a solid black or darker color background; if text too small, reverse type can be difficult on the reader's eye; necessary

What is a typeface classification?
A basic system for categorizing typefaces

When was Blackletter invented and how was it used?
Earliest of the typefaces, used in the mid-1400s with the invention of the printing press

Describer the characteristics of a Blackletter typeface?
Resemble the calligraphy of the time and are highly ornamental and elaborate thick to thin strokes

When was Old Style invented and what was is based on?
15th-16th century by Renaissance; based on ancient Roman inscriptions and was created to replace Blackletter typefaces

Describe the characteristics of an Old Style typeface?
Wedge-shaped, angled serifs and a low contrast of their thick/thin strokes

When were formal scripts developed?
Developed from formal writings of the 17th and 18th centuries' handwriting masters; lend a formal quality to a composition

When were casual scripts developed?
Developed in the 20th century!

Describe the characteristics of a Script typeface?
Based on forms made with flexible brushes or pens and have varied strokes reminiscent of handwriting; should not be used as small body text

When was Modern typefaces developed and why?
Developed in the late 18th and 19th centuries as a radical break from the traditional typography of the time

Describe the characteristics of a Modern typeface?
Sharp contrast between thick and thin strokes and have thin, flat serifs

How early can Sans Serif typefaces be found? What happened?
Found as early as the 5th century, however, the Italian Renaissance return to Old Style made the Sans Serif classification obsolete in the 20th century

When did they become popular?
The 1920s!

What does "sans serif" mean?
"Without serifs"

Describe the characteristics of a Sans Serif typeface?
The strokes are uniform in weight and have a monotone appearance

When was Slab Serif developed and why?
The 19th century for advertising

Describe the characteristics of a Slab Serif typeface?
Uniform line weight and thicker, square serifs

Describe Decorative typefaces?
Have the most distinctive design style; includes a variety of typefaces and are typically those that don't belong to other classifications; may incorporate pictures of objects, animals

Why were they developed?
Developed with a specific purpose, or theme, in mind

What are they best used for?

Best used for larger point sizes, or display type

Happy almost-December! :-)

Review Week 14!

Identify 5 colleges that offer graphic design (or related) majors. For each, list the school name, location, graphics majors that are offered, requirements for admission.

1. Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)- Atlanta, GA, Savannah, GA, Hong Kong, and Lacoste! Offers BA, BFA, MA, and MFA degrees. Admission requirements (for first-year freshmen): one (1) completed application, as well as an application fee, diploma from US high school or equivalent, SAT or ACT scores if US citizen, proficiency in English language, other documents or materials required to obtain a student visa, and supplementary materials!

2. College for Creative Studies- Detroit, Michigan! Offers a BFA in graphic design! Admission requirements (for undergraduates): Commitment, maturity, and readiness, completed application with $35 app. fee or free online application, official high school transcript with minimum 2.5 GPA (applicants who earned a GED must submit scores with at least a 401), SAT or ACT scores (not required if GED submitted), and a 5-8 piece portfolio!

3. Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA)- Baltimore, Maryland! Offers a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate (GD PBac) and a Master of Fine arts (MFA)! Admission requirements for freshman (regular admission): application (& fee), high school diploma or equivalent, letters of recommendation, SAT and/or ACT scores, essay, list of activities and interests, 12-20 piece portfolio, and students are encouraged to visit the campus!

4. Rhode Island School of Design- Rhode Island! Offers a BFA and an MFA for graphic design! Admission requirements: application, transcripts, two drawing samples, 12-20 piece portfolio, writing samples, letters of recommendation, and SAT scores!

5. Academy of Art University- San Francisco, California! Offers a BFA and MFA! Admission requirements: application (& fee), official transcripts, and a portfolio!

What is a portfolio?

A portfolio is a collection of original works normally put together for interviews for college acceptance or a job. Sometimes the portfolio is assembled digitally as well as in print in a folder, while others contain large pieces that may or may not fit in a large portfolio bag (similar to a giant envelope)!

What is the importance of a portfolio?

Portfolios are extremely important to colleges and employers. A portfolio allows the college admission team or the employer to view an interviewee's original work and distinguish the good workers from the not-so-good. A large collection full of well done work is impressive and will get the art college-hopeful or employee-hopeful person a good impression. :-)

Review Week 13!

How do you add a layer mask to a particular layer?
To add a layer mask, highlight the layer you want to make the mask on, go to the bottom of the layers 'palette', find the grey square box with a white circle inside, click the button ONCE, and there ya' go!

What two colors are used to create the mask?
The two colors used are black and white!

Describe the process of using a layer mask?

Making sure the mask is highlighted (little box around it), the designer can then hide or show parts of the image on which the mask is over. Using the pen tool, with the black in the foreground, the designer can hide or "erase" parts of the image, while having white in the foreground shows the parts of the image that were previously hidden with black!

8 Principles of Design:

Repetition- this design shows repetition in the literal ocean waves, as well as the horse-sculpted waves. There are also curves in this design that illustrate this principle.

Proportion/Scale- ah. This lovely graphic image uses a more abstract proportion where the elephant is smaller than a hummingbird and the girl holding it. The hummingbirds are also rather large. Each object is proportional to itself, but with an interesting proportion with the rest of the design, it allows a lot of depth and interest.

Balance- this photo shows not only literal balance, but also the principle of (asymmetrical) balance with the stones further to the right of the image, allowing the eye to guide simply to the rock formation.

Emphasis- this lovely graphic shows emphasis on the orange sun in a very neutral green and blue scene. The river guides the eye to the orange circle, and the use of complementary colors between the blue river and the orange sun emphasizes it even more.

Unity- in this design, the chaos takes place at the sides of the image, while the unity occurs with the two faces almost touching, very close to each other. This center brings together the design to create a large, complex image.

Variety- there is much variety in this MGMT album cover art. The different textures in the background, wave, and water show variation. The cat, which is also the wave, varies with the shapes and style and colors, yet still remains unified but shows variation. The different shapes in the 'waves' (cat fur/ whiskers, I would assume) and the background are very different, as is the water (which has a completely different texture).

Rhythm- the use of line and placement of the shapes in this design help connect the center of the piece to the sides and vis versa.

Contrast- Based on the definition I have of contrast (where two similar items are used differently/look different from one another), this fits the bill. With the drawn arches and lines, used in various ways, as well as with the triangles, contrast is seen. Plus, even Lenka shows classic contrast with dark hair and light skin and a bright dress!

Happy mid-/late November! :)

Stephen Kroninger!

What kind of art/design does he produce?
Stephen Kroninger uses various magazine/photo cutouts to collage together an image!

In what publications/media studios has his work been featured?
Time magazine (on the cover!), the Museum of Modern Art, where he had a solo exhibit, and is a regular contributor to Time, Newsweek, The New Yorker, and the New York Times!

Post 2 samples of his art. Answer the following questions for each piece...

Was this piece published? Where?
Yes, in the book Tie Your Socks and Clap Your Feet: Mixed-up Poems By Lenny Hort, illustrated by Stephen Kroninger

What principles of design were utilized within the piece? How?
Emphasis is incorporated into this design, especially with the man's head, which is made of a piece of toast, while variety in patterns is used (for every material), asymmetrical balance of the large man that takes up a whole page and the smaller table, and proportion (rather odd proportion) shown where the chair is very small, as well as the table, but the food is big and the man is big as well.

What elements of design were utilized?

Texture, shape, line (of the arm and table), and color

Was this piece published? Where?
On Time Magazine's website, yes, it was.

What principles of design were utilized within the piece? How?
Repetition of the books, proportion (with the large eyes and mouth on a big head, next to small books), balance of the face and the chef's hat, emphasis on the fire-y eyes, unity is seen with the use of kitchen supplies and the food, though variation is also used with the books

What elements of design were utilized?

Line, shape, some space (with the hat, kind of), a tad bit of texture on the hat, and color!

Review Week 12!

How can you, as the designer, use principles of design to help compose a page?
The correct use of repetition (not too overbearing, though!), proportion, balance, and emphasis while still creating a unified piece will help form a composition of winners.

What are the principles of design (define each in your own words)?

-Repetition: the use of a similar image/form that repeats itself;this can be aided by bold lines/fonts, color, a particular format, spacial relationships, and design elements

-Proportion/Scale: the size of elements in a design in relation to other forms used; the human body is the most universal standard way to measure proportion

-Balance: the way that heavy and light elements are arranged on the page while still keeping it neat;

• Symmetrical balance: evenly distributed elements
• Asymmetrical balance: larger elements offset the smaller ones

-Emphasis: focus is put on a specific area of a piece rather than the whole thing

-Unity: how the design is pulled together to form one large piece that flows

-Variety: the diversity of a piece

-Rhythm: continuity or organized movement in space and time, allowing the viewer's eye to float through the piece

-Contrast: where two similar items are used differently/look different from one another; the greater the difference, the greater the contrast

Can you believe that we only have six more weeks left of school until winter break?! Wowzers.

Podcast #3: Principles of Design!

Define principles of design?
Concepts used to arrange the structural elements of a composition

What do the principles of design affect?
How the principles are applied affects the expressive content, or the message, of the work

What is the principle of repetition?
The repeating of some aspect or element of the design throughout the entire document

Describe ways that the principle of repetition helps the composition/audience?
Repetition acts as a visual key that ties the piece together; it controls the reader's eye and helps keep their attention on the piece; repeating design elements helps the viewer navigate through the piece and helps unify and strengthen; makes a composition seem active

What are ways that you can incorporate repetition into your designs?
By repeating elements, using bold font, thick line, certain bullet, color, design element, particular format, spacial relationships, or anything else the reader might recognize

What should you avoid when working with repetition?
It is important not to repeat so much that it becomes annoying or overwhelming

What is the principle of proportion/scale?
The relative size and scale of the various elements in a design

What is the most universal standard of measure when judging size?
The human body!

How can the principle of proportion/scale be used as an attention getter?
When an unusual or unexpected scale is used

What is the principle of balance?
The distribution of heavy and light elements on the page

Which kinds of elements/shapes visually weigh heavier/greater?
Larger elements look heavier when next to smaller objects

What is another name for symmetrical balance?
Formal balance

Define symmetrical balance?
Occurs when the weight of a composition is evenly distributed around a central vertical or horizontal axis (identical elements reflecting across the axis; creates a secure, safe feeling and a sense of solidity

What is another name for asymmetrical balance?
Informal balance

Define asymmetrical balance?
Occurs when the weight of a composition is not evenly distributed around the axis; one dominant form that is offset by many smaller ones; tend to have a greater sense of tension

What is the principle of emphasis?
The stressing of a particular area of focus rather than the maze of detail of equal importance

What happens to a design that has no focus?
Nothing stands out; the effective use of emphasis calls attention to important areas

What is a focal point and how is it created?
A center of interest; the area where the eye tends to go first

How many components of a composition can be a focal point?
The largest, brightest, darkest, or most complex element in a design

What ways can emphasis be created in a design?
Creating a focal point; contrasting the primary element with a subordinate one; with a sudden change in direction, size, shape, texture, color, tone, or line

What is the principle of unity?
the "wholeness" of a composition

What three ways can unity be obtained?
1. Put objects close to one another in the composition, forcing the viewer's eye to move from one to next inevitably taking in the entire composition
2. Make things similar using similar textures, colors, or shapes that tend to visually connect the parts of a composition
3. Direct vision by a line that travels around the design; this line can be a true line or it can be suggested

What is the principle of variety?
Pertains to the differences and diversity; it makes a work of art interesting

What ways can a designer add variety to a design?
By varying textures, color, and shapes, and alter contrast, tone, and intensity

Why is it important to find the right balance between unity and variety?
Too much unity will look boring, while too much variety will look chaotic

What is figure?
A form, silhouette, or shape is naturally percieved as figure; the part of a composition we pay attention to

What is another name for figure?
Positive space!!!

What is ground?
The surrounding area around a figure

What is another name for ground?
Negative space!!!

When a composition is abstract (has no recognizable subject) what will the figure depend on? What does that mean?
It will depend on the abstract relationship between visual elements

Why must a designer consider the composition as a whole?
If not given careful consideration, the picture will only be partially designed

What is the principle of rhythm?
Continuity, recurrence, or organized movement in space and time

How is rhythm achieved?
Through the orderly repetition of any element, line, shape, value (tone), and texture

What three ways can rhythm occur in a design?
1. Intervals between the elements, and often the elements themselves, are similar in size or length
2. With a more organic, flowing sense of movement
3. A sequence of shapes through a progression of steps

How does rhythm help a composition/design?
Can help deliver the message by controlling the viewer's eye movement; can also add "life" and interaction to an otherwise inanimate page layout

What is the principle of contrast?

Occurs when two related elements are different; greater the difference, greater the contrast

How can contrast help a design?
Can draw the viewer's eye into the piece and help guide the viewer through it; adds visual interest

What is wrong with having too much or too little contrast in a design?
Too much contrast can be confusing, whereas too little becomes monotonous and boring

What is the key to working with contrast?
The key is to make sure the differences are obvious

What are some common ways of creating contrast?

Creating differences in size, value, color, type, texture, shape, alignment, direction, or movement