Monday, August 31, 2009
After this reading I started thinking a lot about how important it is to ensure that your design conveys the message you intend it to. The reading brought up a good point that the receiver may "fully understand the message but not react as the sender intends." I think this is important to consider while you are designing every aspect as an element that someone could interpret differently then someone else. It will be key to consider whether we want our representations of our animal to be more of an icon or image for others to recognize.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Answers for 8/31
1. Absolute measurement refers to the measurement of fixed values which are precisely defined. They cannot be altered.
ex. millimetre, points, picas
2. Relative measurements are measurements that change and are dependent on another element, there is not an absolute size or prescribed size (changes with typeface).
ex. ems and ens
3. Points are a unit of measure used for type size of a font, it refers to the height of the type block, not the actual letter.
ex. 7 pt. Garmond
4. Pica's are a unit of measurement equal to 12 points, usually used for measuring lines of type
ex. 6 picas in an inch.
5. Em's are a unit used for typesetting to define basic spacing functions- related to size of the type (if the size goes up, so does the em). Commonly used to define elements like spacing and paragraph indents.
6. En's a are type of measurement equal to half of am em, used to denote nested clauses
ex. "to" as in a score: 3 "-" 5
7. Legibility refers to readability of text and coherency of a layout. Spacing needs to be well manipulated to match cultural norms and expectancy.
8. Rags usually occur when very noticeable shapes form when the lines of text ends, this distracts from the reading.
ex. exaggerated slopes or extreme inclines
9. Flush left happens when type is set to the even left margin, leaving uneven or ragged right margins.
Advantages: people read text left to right, space between words remains constant
Disadvantages: ragged right column may distract reader because the lines are unbalanced
Flush right is when text is aligned on the right side, resulting in an uneven left side.
Advantages: good for small blocks of text, captions, or anything with asymmetrical layouts
Disadvantages: reduces readability, difficult to identify the start of the next line
Centered: type set on central axis, even word spacing but results in uneven left and right margins
Advantages: good for single page design in formal contexts
Disadvantages: reduces readability because of uneven left and right margins
Justified: space between words is adjusted in each line with even left and right margins
Advantages: even left and right margin, neat box with even sides
Disadvantages: space between words varies with each line to ensure that is has even margins
requires hyphenation and wide columns and number of characters per line
10. Word Spacing: Space between words usually equal to width of a lowercase "i" which is ideal.
Adjustable, improved readability because of reducing word spacing, greater
continuity and less of an interruption in the flow of a sentence.
11. Rivers happen when justified text blocks cause a separation of words which leaves gaps of
white space in several lines. White space gaps join together in a body of text.
12. Indents are when a line of text is pushed in farther then the rest of the text from the margin.
Provides reader with an easily accessible entry point to a paragraph.
13. Leading refers to the depth of space between lines. Space between lines of text in a text block
Changes with type size, used to avoid overlap.
ex. the use of relative measure
14. Kerning means adjustments to the spacing of a particular letter pair (kerning pairs).
When done the right way, ensures a consistent rhythm of intercharacter space.
15. Tracking is adjusting the overall space between letters, aka letterspacing.
ex. common to track capitals and small capitals
16. Weights are when typefaces include a choice of weights
ex. book, medium, demi, ultra bold, light etc
17. Scale is an element used when text is differentiated from the main text block to stand out,
needs to be at least 2 points different to be successful.
ex. title or pull quote is bigger
18. Typographic differentiation purpose is to clarify for the viewer specific kinds of emphasis and
prioritization. Also to distinguish between the kinds of content.
19.Orphans happen when the final one or two lines of a paragraph are separated from the main
paragraph to form a new column.
20. Widows occur when there is a single word on the last line of a paragraph.
ex. millimetre, points, picas
2. Relative measurements are measurements that change and are dependent on another element, there is not an absolute size or prescribed size (changes with typeface).
ex. ems and ens
3. Points are a unit of measure used for type size of a font, it refers to the height of the type block, not the actual letter.
ex. 7 pt. Garmond
4. Pica's are a unit of measurement equal to 12 points, usually used for measuring lines of type
ex. 6 picas in an inch.
5. Em's are a unit used for typesetting to define basic spacing functions- related to size of the type (if the size goes up, so does the em). Commonly used to define elements like spacing and paragraph indents.
6. En's a are type of measurement equal to half of am em, used to denote nested clauses
ex. "to" as in a score: 3 "-" 5
7. Legibility refers to readability of text and coherency of a layout. Spacing needs to be well manipulated to match cultural norms and expectancy.
8. Rags usually occur when very noticeable shapes form when the lines of text ends, this distracts from the reading.
ex. exaggerated slopes or extreme inclines
9. Flush left happens when type is set to the even left margin, leaving uneven or ragged right margins.
Advantages: people read text left to right, space between words remains constant
Disadvantages: ragged right column may distract reader because the lines are unbalanced
Flush right is when text is aligned on the right side, resulting in an uneven left side.
Advantages: good for small blocks of text, captions, or anything with asymmetrical layouts
Disadvantages: reduces readability, difficult to identify the start of the next line
Centered: type set on central axis, even word spacing but results in uneven left and right margins
Advantages: good for single page design in formal contexts
Disadvantages: reduces readability because of uneven left and right margins
Justified: space between words is adjusted in each line with even left and right margins
Advantages: even left and right margin, neat box with even sides
Disadvantages: space between words varies with each line to ensure that is has even margins
requires hyphenation and wide columns and number of characters per line
10. Word Spacing: Space between words usually equal to width of a lowercase "i" which is ideal.
Adjustable, improved readability because of reducing word spacing, greater
continuity and less of an interruption in the flow of a sentence.
11. Rivers happen when justified text blocks cause a separation of words which leaves gaps of
white space in several lines. White space gaps join together in a body of text.
12. Indents are when a line of text is pushed in farther then the rest of the text from the margin.
Provides reader with an easily accessible entry point to a paragraph.
13. Leading refers to the depth of space between lines. Space between lines of text in a text block
Changes with type size, used to avoid overlap.
ex. the use of relative measure
14. Kerning means adjustments to the spacing of a particular letter pair (kerning pairs).
When done the right way, ensures a consistent rhythm of intercharacter space.
15. Tracking is adjusting the overall space between letters, aka letterspacing.
ex. common to track capitals and small capitals
16. Weights are when typefaces include a choice of weights
ex. book, medium, demi, ultra bold, light etc
17. Scale is an element used when text is differentiated from the main text block to stand out,
needs to be at least 2 points different to be successful.
ex. title or pull quote is bigger
18. Typographic differentiation purpose is to clarify for the viewer specific kinds of emphasis and
prioritization. Also to distinguish between the kinds of content.
19.Orphans happen when the final one or two lines of a paragraph are separated from the main
paragraph to form a new column.
20. Widows occur when there is a single word on the last line of a paragraph.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Ways to achieve a hierarchy:
- Bold typefaces indicate importance and tend to get immediate attention
- Italic typefaces usually demand less attention and can be used to include less significant details
- reducing font size creates a hierarchy by showing levels of prominence
Jan Tschichold is a famous typographer who was known for bringing about the transition from the outdated typography era to the "new typography." He was born in 1902 in Leipzig and began training to be a calligrapher in 1919. He was quick to become a star student with unbelievable potential and began to question and address problems with the use of typefaces. He became very influenced by the Bauhaus style and knew the movement would have a heavy influence over typography. After being influenced by modern artists he wrote his first book about how abandoning rules and adopting new systems would benefit typography in his manifest, "Elementary Typographer" which was published in 1925. This created mixed emotions in the design world, but did in fact get his name out. He moved to Munich and wrote another book in 1928 called "The New Type" and it was widely accepted. Soon after the outbreak of World War II he was pursued by the Nazis and was forced to reside in Switzerland. Soon after the war he was invited to Penguin Books Publishing Company where he would eventually reshape the company which would earn him a lot of respect. He wrote two more heavily influential books titled "The Master Book of Typefaces" which was a reflection over his career. His most widely read book was "Arbitrary Measurement of the Book Page" which was published in 1962. He died August 11th, 1947 leaving behind in his legacy the widely used Sabon font in addition to Classical Garamond, Monotype Sabon, Tschichold and Tschicholina. He also had a large in the development of the grid system which is still heavily used by designers today to help gain coherency in a layout. Tschichold is known for developing the modern typography era and his legacy lives on through it.
Josef Muller Brockmann was born in 1914 in Switzerland where he eventually began to study architecture, design and art history. Soon after he was out of school he became an apprentice to a designer and advertising consultant. He eventually opened his own studio in Zurich to pursue his career as a designer. The studio specialized in graphics, exhibition design and photography. He was given the honor of designing the Pavilion honoring Swiss Universities. In addition, he designed sections for the National Fair in 1939 recognizing "Physics and Medicine" along with "History of Swiss Art." By the 1950's he was a leader of the Swiss Style which promoted the use of a grid to ensure consistency. His "Musica Viva" poster series was revolutionary for its style and it spread abroad due to the visual connection with music it created. Brockmann went on to be the founder of the journal "Neue Grafik" which meant New Graphic Design. This journal allowed the Swiss style to be internationally spread. Two popular books he wrote were "A History of Visual Communication" and "A History of the Poster," both were published in 1971. Over his lifetime he was a professor and also had the privilege of being the European design consultant for IBM. He also wrote the world famous book "Graphic Artist and his Decision Problems" in 1981.
Grids are used by designers as a starting place to more easily develop a coherent layout because they create a system of organized space to work with to ensure consistency. They are used by designers because it is a way for the space to be controlled in a way that is flexible enough to allows for creativity and at the same time make a layout coherent and whole. Grids create a system that allows for designs to be structured in a way that is visually appealing for a viewer to comprehend.
Modular Grids are more specific in that they have uniform horizontal and vertical sections from top to bottom and left to right. By using this type of grid, it is possible to create a hierarchy strictly based on placement within the grid, even though adding other elements would contribute to this as well.
Margins are invisible vertical spaces between colums or around the edge in a layout.
Columns are vertical blocks in a layout which are seperated between margins. They are used to assist with readability on a page.
Grid Modules are the smallest area of a grid that contains information.
Flowlines are lines that go in between characters in a grid.
The gutter is the space that appears in between modules.
A type family refers to fonts that are of a similar form and style.
Type styles consist of different weights, widths and heights. These may include regular, bold, italic, condensed and extended.
Hirearchies are used essentially as a guide for viewers to more easily indicate the importance of certain elements used in a design based on placement and use in a layout. They are essential in design to set different aspects of a design apart in a meaningful and purposeful way.
Modular Grids are more specific in that they have uniform horizontal and vertical sections from top to bottom and left to right. By using this type of grid, it is possible to create a hierarchy strictly based on placement within the grid, even though adding other elements would contribute to this as well.
Margins are invisible vertical spaces between colums or around the edge in a layout.
Columns are vertical blocks in a layout which are seperated between margins. They are used to assist with readability on a page.
Grid Modules are the smallest area of a grid that contains information.
Flowlines are lines that go in between characters in a grid.
The gutter is the space that appears in between modules.
A type family refers to fonts that are of a similar form and style.
Type styles consist of different weights, widths and heights. These may include regular, bold, italic, condensed and extended.
Hirearchies are used essentially as a guide for viewers to more easily indicate the importance of certain elements used in a design based on placement and use in a layout. They are essential in design to set different aspects of a design apart in a meaningful and purposeful way.
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