Typography - Task 2: Typographic Exploration and Communication

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Name: Liong Xenyi (0383125)
Module: Typography (GCD60104)
Date: 26/5/2025 - 15/6/2025 (Week 6 - Week 8)
Degree: Bachelor of Design (Honors) in Creative Media 
University: Taylor's University

Task 2: Typographic Exploration and Communication

Table of Contents
Module Information Booklet

Task 2: Typographic Exploration and Communication
Description
In this task you will be asked to express typographically the content in this link in a 2-page editorial spread (200mm x 200mm per page). Choose 1 from the 3 text options provided. No images are allowed (unless permitted). However, some very minor graphical elements, i.e. line, shade, etc. might be allowed.

We were given three texts to choose from to express the content typographically. I choose "Punk's Design Revolution: Breaking the Rules". I stated with some sketches of how my layout is going to be using Krita. I tried to express the text through the words, in a punkish, chaotic style with more freedom, while trying to be aesthetic and the words to have readability.
Fig 1.1

I started designing the title first on Adobe Illustrator, playing around with the font, placement of the letter and different shades. I used the 10 fonts given in the previous task and used what feels appropriate. These are some of my typography designs for the title.
Fig 1.2

Next, I used InDesign to arrange the layout of the text. I experimented with the arrangement and looked at them far away to see the gray space and white space.
Fig 1.3

Fig 1.4

These are the designs I made looking closely.
Fig 1.5 Design 1

Fig 1.6 Design 2

Fig 1.7 Design 3

Fig 1.8 Design 4

Fig 1.9 Design 5

Fig 1.10 Design 6

Fig 1.11 Design 7

Fig 1.12 Design 8


After receiving feedback, Design 3,4 & 5 stood out the most, as it was more balanced and attractive. However, I need to follow the rules given, such as each line of text needing to be either 50-60 characters or 55-65 characters. At first I wasn't sure if the upside down 'rules' was accepted since it is hard to read, but the feedback was that it stands out and follows the content given. Another advice is that since English is read from left to right, I had to follow that flow of movement. I can't put the word 'punk' from a right to left flow or straight down, I need to place the letters where it can be read from left to right, and as long as there is a flow of connection, I can place it however I want.

Between these three designs, I like 3 & 5 the most, so I would rework on it.

I first changed the flow of the word 'Punk' so that it can be read from left to right, and to try and get a better flow with the rest of the headline. I tried several designs on Adobe Illustrator.
Fig 2.1 Design 3.1                                             Fig 2.2 Design 3.2

Fig 2.3 Design 3.3                                             Fig 2.4 Design 3.4

Fig 2.5 Design 3.5

I like designs 3.1, 3.2 and 3.5. I asked some peers to help view my designs, and some find the word 'Punk' is hard to read, so I rearranged the word for a better flow. For the word 'rules', it is hard to read or understand what it is and it'd draw less attention to it. So I flipped the entire word, and changed it to having the main consonants 'R' and 'L' flipped and remain normal, while the other letters are upside down.
Fig 2.6 Design 3.6                                            Fig 2.7 Design 3.7

I tried using these designs on the layout of the texts and try to balance the white and gray space.
Fig 2.8 Using Design 3.7

Fig 2.9 Using Design 3.5

Fig 2.10 Using Design 3.2

However, looking at it far away and close-up, it doesn't feel right for me, as I wasn't sure how to properly balance the white and gray space, while tastefully placing the designed headline. So I moved on and tried improving Design 5 instead. I already liked the original, but I just needed to make the word 'Punk' have a left to right flow instead of just straight down.
Fig 2.11 Design 5.1

Fig 2.12 Using Design 5.1

I compared between Designs 3.7 and 5.1 from a distance. 
Fig 2.13 Comparing the designs

I prefer Design 5.1 instead, as I like the symmetry more and the elements are better balanced. I decided to add some more elements to the layout to make it more appealing and balanced while adding more meaning aligning to the context. I added lines for the word 'Punk' to break off from, as if the word is trying to break free while being chaotic and not properly aligned. The word 'Revolution' has a change of different shades, highlighting its meaning. I added the word 'Punk' with a different design and placed it in the background, emphasising the title more.

This is my Final Submission for Task 2
Fig 4.1 Task 2 Submission

Fig 4.2 Task 2 with Grids Submission

This is the PDF version

HEAD LINE
Typeface: Bodoni Std, Serifa Std, Gill Sans Std
Font/s: Poster Compressed, 55 Roman, Bold Extra Condensed
Type Size/s: 125 pt, 80 pt, 230 pt
Leading: 60 pt, 50 pt, 132 pt
Paragraph spacing: 0

BODY
Typeface: Serifa Std
Font/s: 45 Light
Type Size/s: 10 pt
Leading: 13 pt
Paragraph spacing: 13 pt
Characters per-line: 50-60
Alignment: left justified
Margins: 12.7mm 
Columns: 2
Gutter: 5 mm


Feedback
Week 6: General Feedback - Finish the sketches and start doing the design. The design can be checked next week and then be submitted.

Week 7: Specific Feedback - My ideas for 3-5 are good, however, I cannot arrange the words vertically down or right to left. I have to make a flow and arrange it right to left, like how English is supposed to be read. The text layout is okay, but I need to fit 50-60 or 55-65 words in a column, following the rules given. The word "rules" being upside down is fine.


Reflection
Experience: 
I managed to use whatever skills I have learned in the previous task and apply it for this task. It is still a difficult subject for me to complete as there are many things I need to keep track of in a text layout and not just focusing on the design. I especially struggled trying to fit the designed headline with the text and have a well-balanced structure. 

Observation: 
I have observed that the designing part of this task comes easier to me, as I still struggle to create a good layout for the entire text. I also noticed that the more designs I tried to make, the more I can't see what was working and what wasn't, making me almost want to give up on certain designs. I needed to see from another perspective and view, while taking some time off from looking at it helps too. I noticed that I am still weak in maintaining a good balance between white and gray space, and should work to improve that. 

Findings: 
In conclusion, I learned that I need to practice on creating more layouts using InDesign, as I am still quite weak on the subject. However, I did learn a great deal on working with text and typography, and that planning everything, even for tasks like these, are important to have a smooth process (as I did get lost sometimes without a proper plan or sketch). I learned that I tend to start something without proper planning, so I hope I can change that in the future, so that I don't struggle so much in the process of creating something.







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