Project 3 : Typeface
Part 1: Introduction
Sept 26, 2020
Make a list of adjectives that describe your typeface. Then, write a one to two page essay that highlights the unique characteristics and personality of the typeface, and a brief statement (50–65 words) that encapsulates the content of the essay.
The first impressions I had on this font was its classical and antique nature in its form. Goudy is an old style serif typeface originally created by Federic W. Goudy for American Type Founders in 1915.
Initial Research:
In Goudy’s autobiography, he described the italic based on the study of 16th century italics and his inspiration from the Italian Renaissance. He created Goudy Old Style, Goudy Old Style Italic, and Goudy Cursive. He stated:
“I studied many of the older italics and came to the conclusion that…some of the outstanding italics of the sixteenth century had little or no inclination and yet preserved their italic character”
The main strokes were:
Regular
Regular Italics
Bold
Extra Bold
The list of adjectives I formed were:
Elegant. Classy. Antique. Nobility. Beauty. Graceful. Refined. Sophisticated. Eccentric. Restless.
My 50 Word Statement:
One Page Essay:
In class Discussion
In class, we learned about how its important to know the individual characteristics of each typeface and how they are deciphered. Some design traits we discussed were the type weight, its x-height, counters, serifs, and stroke contrasts. Readability was a key element discussed since it concerns with the level of comprehension and visual comfort when reading typeset material. In this discussion we looked at type size, line spacing, color contrast, alignment, and rags.
Part 2 : Layout (imagery + type)
Sept 29, 2020
Layout Exploration
Our next step was to explore different compositions for the spread. I found the process to be quite difficult because I was unsure which images I was going to use so I felt limited on the varying degree of my designs. I didn’t want my main “Goudy” term to be anywhere near the gutter so I stayed within the bounds of one page.
I personally like the spread on the top left because its simple and straight to the point. It was similar to the chapter of a book and not so much a spread, which brings more of a classic look similar to the typeface.
Imagery and Type Exploration
For my images, I chose ones that exude a Renaissance feel, or from the early 1900s style of portraiture/painting.
The adjective I had in mine while searching for these images was classical. Some images had a lighter quality to them while in the case of the columns, it felt heavy and strong. It was hard to choose which image to stick with so, I decided to try out different spreads for each image.
I was immediately drawn to the last spread (bottom right) because it felt strong and stately which worked well with my sub heading, “ A Force in American Design”; however, I felt that it was too stately and bold for the typeface Goudy. I tried to calm it down a bit and try different compositions and colors with the image.
I played around with the column image to see how I can diminish the overly authoritarian look. I wanted it to stay away from governmental imagery so I used different colors that were warmer on the far right spread.
In- Class Critique:
Oct. 6, 2020
During class, I partnered up Neely to discuss our spreads. Here were her main comments:
From Neely:
Theres a nice balance between white space, image, and body text. Even though image goes across the page, it does not dominate the page, making the composition of more dynamic and engaging to look at. My eyes can bounce back and forth from image to text.
I asked Neely for critique on the colored spread with the concerns I had in mind, and she stated that the purple color look unintentional, and may be better to explore another color. She leaned more towards the black and white since it distracted less from the text.
For my next iterations I searched for another image that can be soft, warm, and classical.
Type Exploration:
While searching for more images, I came learned that Goudy has a unique characteristic by it’s diamond-shaped dots on the i, j and punctuation marks. It has the upturned ear on the g, the somewhat stunted tail of the y, the upward slant of the base of the uppercase E and L, and the uppercase Q’s calligraphic tail, which is centered beneath the character. With this in mind, the typeface exudes a strong sense of class, affluence and antiquity. I looked for an image that uses these terms and came across this image:
This image exuded both the classical and renaissance look I had in mind as well as having a soft palette. I created different spreads all with multiple compositions and crops of this image.
I situated my text in various ways and learned that having it go down in one column has a great rhythmic interplay with the column image I was using. So I decided to stick with that organization and use other terms such as my adjectives as ways to complete the look of the spread.
I really enjoyed creating the spreads with this particular image because of its dynamic movements of the column itself, and the soft rounded shapes the overall image composition had. I paralleled the column nature in the image to my body text as well to create rhythm in the composition. I played with gradients with cool to warm color palettes.
I looked at some perfume ads since they are often portrayed with wealth and have a classic look. These tones were used in my final spread.
For my final piece, I diminished the text size of the main 5 adjectives and added in a quote (in my main image) from Goudy about how he explores typefaces. The quote reads:
“When a type design is good it is not because each individual letter of the alphabet is perfect in form, but because there is a feeling of harmony and unbroken rhythm that runs through the whole design, each letter kin to every other and to all.”
I believe his comment on the feeling of harmony and unbroken rhythm runs throughout my design with its repetitive column-like spacing of the main image, adjectives, and body text.
Final Critique & Reflection
Oct. 8, 2020
In critique, the overall message was that the grouping of information through the use of color and text width was effective in drawing the conclusion of a column repetition.
Sometimes, I feel that I may have relied too heavily on the images rather than looking into the curious nature of the typeface. I looked at the other examples of my classmates and they announced the subtle differences and qualities in their typeface, while I concentrated on the feeling the typeface gave off. I wonder if my spread may have been more effective if I came in with a different approach rather than sticking with the classical look. But overall, I am pleased with my final spread, and look forward to the motion graphic project.
