Typography // Task 3B - Type Design & Communication
30.05.2022 - 20.06.2022 (Week 10 - Week 13 )
Emelyne How Sok Hing (0352938)
Bachelor of Design (Hons) Creative Media
Typography // Task 3B - Type Design & Communication
LECTURES
All lectures completed in task 1& 2:
Week 10:
For this week lecture we mostly got a briefing of our Task 3B and what is expected from us.
Steps to follow for our Task 3B
1. Research lettering (Visual Research)
2. Read article provided in MIB on how to do a telegram stickers
3. Select greeting that we want to do
4. Sketch out 5 different options
6. Start digitalizing on Illustrator in BW
7. Don't forget to add Taylor's logo
8. Final artwork should be 512 x 512 px
9. Can only use red, black and white
10. Cannot use gradient
INSTRUCTIONS
Week 10:
Task 3B - Type Design & Communication
From the knowledge that we gained doing the previous tasks, we are to express typographically a social message, greeting or the like, that is relevant to the campus community at Taylor's University or society at large. After digitalizing our expression, we are to create a Telegram sticker and screengrab a proof that the sticker can be used and works appropriately.
Notes to remember:
1. Final artwork size 512 x 512 px
2. Add Taylor's logo
3. Can only use red, black and white
4. Cannot use gradients
5. Should be readable, legible and occupies intended space
Visual Research
These are my visual research for the greeting 'Happy Halloween'. Since we can only use the colour red, black and white I wanted to look for letterings that gave off an eerie vibe.
.png) |
| Figure 1.0 Visual Research, 5th June 2022 Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN8K-4osNb0 |
 |
| Figure 1.1 Visual Research, 5th June 2022 Source: http://annyas.com/1980s-horror-movie-poster-logos-typography/ |
 |
| Figure 1.2 Visual Research, 5th June 2022 Source: https://graphicriver.net/item/happy-halloween-poster-/12800381?ref=ydesig |
Sketches
 |
| Figure 1.3 Sketches, 5th June 2022 |
Idea 1 - For this sketch, I was inspired by the swirls that we can see on candy canes.
Idea 2 - In this sketch I wanted to try and play with the perspective by creating a shadow under each letter. I also tried to put Taylor's logo in the shadow as I thought it could look nice. Concerning the shadow, I was planning to illustrate it in such a way that near the foot of each letter it would have started from small to then grow bigger like a one-point perspective. However, it doesn't show much in what I sketched.
Idea 3 - Influenced by my research in figure 1.1, I tried to do a lettering where the letters would look like they have been scratched. I kind of like the outcome of this lettering as I also think that it could create some movement into my sticker.
Idea 4 - Also inspired by one of my research figure 1.2, I tried to make use of the idea of burning candles for my font. I like the end result mostly for my letter 'O' and 'A'.
 |
| Figure 1.4 Sketches, 5th June 2022 |
Idea 4 - Also inspired by one of my research figure 1.2, I tried to make use of the idea of burning candles for my font. I like the end result mostly for my letter 'O' and 'A'.
Idea 5 - In this sketch, I was thinking of a blood dripping kind of like font and I wanted to create this creepy atmosphere that we can normally see in a horror movie poster.
In my first attempt, I mostly wanted to have a rough idea of how the outcome could look like. I used a black background as I thought that the contrast between the black and white would make it easier to see as a sticker since it is quite small.
In my second attempt, I tried to make the outcome look more refined and I also decreased the size of my lettering as I believe it looks more pleasing like this.
For now I'm thinking of going with either sketch 3 or 4 as I think that they are the ones which I would enjoy but also as they look more promising.
Digitalization process
Using Adobe Illustrator, I tried to create my own lettering by creating some scratches using the knife tool. I also used the warp tool so as to give some movement.
 |
| Figure 1.5 First trial, 5th June 2022 |
Week 11:
Taking into consideration Mr. Vinod's feedback, I decided to illustrate bigger scratches rather than small ones as I thought that they would be more obvious and more easy to read considering the size of the sticker. The pictures below are some of the trials that I tried to do.
 |
| Figure 1.6 Second trial, 12th June 2022 |
 |
| Figure 1.7 Third trial, 12th June 2022 |
 |
| Figure 1.8 Fourth trial, 12th June 2022 |
After multiple trials, I was struggling with the end result of my sticker as I thought that the scratches looked very odd and honestly at one point I felt a bit confused during the process. I was not able to come up with a solution for it. So, I preferred to change my idea.
For my second attempt in this exercise, I took for reference the glitches present in the Digimon World. I thought that the glitches would go well with the 'Happy Halloween' theme since this event can also be all about video games, anime and so on.
 |
| Figure 1.9 Visual Research, 12th June 2022 Source: https://ahiddenpath.tumblr.com/post/629378028660752384/error-404-friend-was-not-found-i-have-always |
Digitalization process
 |
| Figure 2.0 First attempt, 12th June 2022 |
In my first attempt, I mostly wanted to have a rough idea of how the outcome could look like. I used a black background as I thought that the contrast between the black and white would make it easier to see as a sticker since it is quite small.
 |
| Figure 2.1 Second attempt, 12th June 2022 |
In my second attempt, I tried to make the outcome look more refined and I also decreased the size of my lettering as I believe it looks more pleasing like this.
 |
| Figure 2.2 Third attempt, 12th June 2022 |
For my third attempt, I implemented the use of the warp tool as I mainly wanted to experiment and see what it would look like. I would say that using the warp tool does add some effects to the end result but I'm not sure if it is the best decision.
 |
| Figure 2.3 Fourth attempt, 12th June 2022 |
Since I was not satisfied yet of my outcomes, I decided to give it another try and refine it more. I do think that I was more successful this time as the overall composition looks more clean, precise and also the glitch effect looks better. I also tried to add more different sizes for the square and rectangles. Additionally, I played with the opacity so as to create some depth into my work.
Week 12:
After hearing Mr. Vinod's feedback, I tried to find new ideas for my Halloween sticker but I was struggling a lot to come up with something new to the point where I felt saturated. So, to make my life easier I decided to change my theme to 'Happy Valentine's Day' with the hope of being more inspired.
Visual Research
 |
| Figure 2.4 Visual research, 16th June 2022 Source: https://www.teepublic.com/sticker/3900400-happy-valentines-day |
 |
| Figure 2.5 Visual research, 16th June 2022 Source: https://www.teepublic.com/sticker/3900400-happy-valentines-day |
Sketches
I used Adobe Illustrator to sketch out my ideas. I do think that this time I was able to convey the message that I wanted to compared to my previous attempts.
 |
| Figure 2.6 Sketch 1, 16th June 2022 |
This idea is about a teddy bear holding a heart-shaped box of chocolate in his arms where Happy Valentine's Day is written on it. My concept came from the fact that during Valentines day, people often gift to their significant other presents like a teddy bear.
 |
| Figure 2.7 Sketch 2, 16th June 2022 |
For this sketch, I was inspired by my visual research figure 2.5 where I thought of those heart pendant necklace. So, I sketched out my idea by making the letters look like they were hanging up in the air like a pendant would. I tried to use different shades of black which I think could be a good idea to create depth into my work.
 |
| Figure 2.8 Sketch 3, 16th June 2022 |
I was inspired by the heart balloon shapes for this sketch. Regarding the arrangement for the letters of the word 'Day', I took reference from the thorn of roses. I like the contrast created in the work as I think that it makes my sticker look more impactful and I think that it also has a cartoonish vibes to it.
 |
| Figure 2.9 Sketch 4, 16th June 2022 |
I tried to illustrate a melting heart as I just thought that it matched with this aesthetic which is around love.
 |
| Figure 3.0 Sketch 5, 16th June 2022 |
Same idea as sketch 4 except that I tried using my lettering from my sketch 3.
Process
For my final work, I was hesitating between my sketch 3 & 5. So, I got some opinions from my friends and they mostly all voted for sketch 5. I also think that sketch 5 looks more interesting visually and the lettering is pretty clear to understand even on a small screen.
 |
| Figure 3.1 Sketch, 16th June 2022 |
Colouring process
 |
| Figure 3.2 Illustration 1 version 1.0, 16th June 2022 |
My colour palette consisted mostly of different shades of red, white and black. I like the combination of colours that I got for the heart shape but I'm not so sure about the contrast between the heart and the lettering. The lettering looks a bit weak and the readability could be better.
 |
| Figure 3.3 Illustration 1 version 2.0, 16th June 2022 |
So, I thought of adding some colours to my lettering and fill the inside. I'm not a big fan of the colours that I've used but I mostly wanted to see as an experiment what would be the outcome if I mixed and matched those colours.
 |
| Figure 3.4 Illustration 1 version 3.0, 16th June 2022 Same as figure 3.2 except that I tried to put it on a black background colour. I do prefer the contrast that it created in this trial. I found it more satisfying to look at. |
 |
| Figure 3.5 Illustration 2, 16th June 2022 |
For this idea, I tried to use a colour palette based on the Taylor's logo. At first, I wanted to fill in every lettering but during my process I thought of letting some letters remain as a stroke. I like the overall look of this sticker. It somehow also makes me think of the Poker games or those deck of cards games and has this 'ready to gamble' kind of atmosphere which also gives a playful vibe. Yet, I think that the saturation for the black and red looks a bit too clashing together and might hurt the eyes.
 |
| Figure 3.6 Illustration 3, 16th June 2022 |
This idea is the same as my illustration 2 except that I've tried using more pink colours. I'm not very fond of those two colours together but I would say that it was worth a try.
 |
| Figure 3.7 Illustration 4, 16th June 2022 |
In this design, I've tried to use more harmonious colours and play with the different shades. I do think that it convincingly conveys the message of 'Happy Valentine's Day' at first glance. I've also made an effort to add more shadows, highlights and little details so that it would look more refined and polished. From all of my trials, I have a preference for this as I think it looks more harmonious and the colours actually match withtout looking too contrasting or clashing. I believe that it also looks like a decent sticker compared to my previous attempts.
Final Task 3B - Type Design & Communication
For my final sticker I added a 7pt outline in black (so that we could see the outline) as required.
 |
| Figure 3.8 Final sticker (B&W version), 16th June 2022 |
 |
| Figure 3.9 Final sticker (coloured version), 16th June 2022 |
After multiple trials, I finally got a final outcome where I'm quite happy of the result. My colour palette was based essentially around the colours used normally for Valentine's day. I wanted my lettering to have a smooth, bubbly and sweet rendering to it.
|
| Figure 4.0 Final sticker with transparent background and white outline, 16th June 2022 |
.png) |
| Figure 4.1 Proof of sticker working, 16th June 2022 |
 |
| Figure 4.2 Screenshot of sticker sent through the phone, 20th June 2022 |
Link for sticker pack: https://t.me/addstickers/Emelynesss
Figure 4.3 PDF of final, 20th June 2022
FEEDBACKS
Week 11:
Mr. Vinod told me that I should be careful of the scratches on my lettering since the sticker will be small and the readability might decrease. He also suggested that I could add a hyphen between the hallo-ween. Also avoid using as reference existing typeface and try to fill in some empty space between the letters. Week 12:
I was told that the effect looked okay but Mr. Vinod said that it doesn't really has this Halloween mood or context to it so I'll need to look further again.
Week 13:
Might be too much on the illustrative side. Would've been better if the lettering was bigger. However, it still works and I can keep it like that. Also likes how I left a little white space between the outline and the sticker.
REFLECTIONS
Week 10:
I found it a bit challenging to get ideas or inspiration for this exercise. It did not come easily as compared to Task 1 or 2. After some more research, I was able to get some ideas for what I wanted my sticker to look like. I found it hard to accommodate the requirements for the sticker since normally we work on pretty average normal artboard sizes. But this time we were tasked to work on a smaller artboard and we also had to keep in mind that the sticker needs to be clear enough so that it could be read and understood clearly on a phone. Hence, I would say that the challenge is mostly with the size.
Week 11:
When I started illustrating my sticker, I felt so lost and confused. I think that I was still not so sure about what we had the right to do and not. Feeling stressed about it also did not help me much as I felt like time was passing by but could not get any decent or any work where I felt satisfied enough. However, I did keep on trying until I felt a bit more okay with what I was doing. I found out that it's okay when you don't get it right in the first trial and that it's totally normal to make mistakes. I did learn from my mistakes and used it in order to move on.
Week 12:
To be honest, after hearing the feedback from my work, I cannot deny that I did not see this coming. Actually, I was expecting something like this to happen as I knew that deep inside what I did was not at my best potential. So, instead of remaining stubborn I preferred to change my theme which I felt like could be a risk since we were already on week 12. However, after taking this decision it helped me out and I was starting to get inspired. What I learnt from this is that sometimes your first choice might not be the best and you should always keep an open mind so as to keep the ideas coming. Technically, I felt like I grew up a bit more when it comes to using the brush tool. It was tricky sometimes to get the right shape or curve for my lettering. Sometimes it could be annoying when it came to touching up the little details and outlines and so on as it was quite small. On the overall, I felt a bit more relieved and also happier since I felt more satisfied of my outcome and can say that I tried to put more efforts into it.
Week 13:
After multiple trials, I can finally say that I am done with this exercise. I struggled a lot for this even though at first for me this exercise looked quite simple and direct. I think that I underestimated the difficulty of this exercise but I was also a bit tired which I think also influenced my motivation. However, I'm quite glad of my final result even though it's not perfect. I did enjoy doing the colouring part even though it felt tedious as I had to be careful of the empty spaces when illustrating my lettering and the perfectionist in me wanted the lettering to look clean as much as possible. I found out that the process behind a sticker is way more complicated than what it looks like. There is actually a lot of thought process behind it and we have to be careful of the spaces, the readability and we also have to think of the outcome and how it will be perceived. Doing a sticker is indeed tiring but also fun and exciting.
After multiple trials, I can finally say that I am done with this exercise. I struggled a lot for this even though at first for me this exercise looked quite simple and direct. I think that I underestimated the difficulty of this exercise but I was also a bit tired which I think also influenced my motivation. However, I'm quite glad of my final result even though it's not perfect. I did enjoy doing the colouring part even though it felt tedious as I had to be careful of the empty spaces when illustrating my lettering and the perfectionist in me wanted the lettering to look clean as much as possible. I found out that the process behind a sticker is way more complicated than what it looks like. There is actually a lot of thought process behind it and we have to be careful of the spaces, the readability and we also have to think of the outcome and how it will be perceived. Doing a sticker is indeed tiring but also fun and exciting.
FURTHER READINGS
.jpg) |
| Figure 4.3 White space is not your enemy: A beginner's guide to communicating visually through graphic, web & multimedia design, 20th June 2022 |
Author: Golombisky, Kim, Hagen, Rebecca
Date: 2013
Summary of the book: This books talk about what design is on the overall. It also tells you the process that you could go through before designing your work such as brainstorming, sketching and doing visual research. There was a chapter called 'Layout sins' which I found quite humorous. It talked about the mistakes that we often do when designing something. As for instance, we often try to center everything or we use too many different fonts in one work and so on. I learned a lot when reading this book and found it quite helpful for this task mostly when it came to choosing the colours which I struggled for quite a bit at first.
Comments
Post a Comment