Project. The Design of Distinctly Australian Typefaces
Purpose. To
explore, analyse and use the urban/rural environment as an influence
for the design of typefaces.
To explore the role of Australian
visual culture in the design of innovative and experimental typefaces.
To
rehumanise graphic design by developing a personal ‘voice’ in
your design work.
Assignment. The project is intended
for final year undergraduate or postgraduate coursework students
in an intensive
one-week Master
Class.
If typography is the visual representation of language,
does our visual culture speak with an Australian accent? In a time
of
globalisation
and sanitisation,
Australian typographer Stephen Banham says that we have a responsibility to
preserve, contribute to and develop a distinctly Australian typography.
Would identifying
peculiarities from the visual culture around us provide the required influences
for the design of distinctly Australian typefaces?
In this project we will explore
the role of Australian visual culture in the design of innovative
and experimental typefaces. The influences you draw on
might be cultural, social, industrial, scientific or any area of activity
which might
embody characteristics appropriate to an identity of Australia.
Using examples
of typography from the environment around you, you are required to design
a new set of experimental letterforms. In order to provide source
material for this project, you are required to seek, find, gather, document
and analyse
examples of individual letters and/or words from the urban/rural environment
around you. The examples might come from signs, graffiti, handlettering,
packing
crates, blackboards, billboards, postal items, shopfronts, building sites,
roads, vehicles, large labels, registration plates. They should not be simple
commercially
printed examples from brochures, books, magazines, food and beverage products
and the like.
Part 1
•
Seek, find and gather from your environment as many different examples (at least
twenty) of individual letters and/or words.
•
You might take photographs, photocopies, rubbings, draw pictures, make a video,
take notes.
•
Use a type reference catalogue to (as closely as possible) identify some
of the typefaces you have found.
Part 2
•
Based on your research, develop alternative typeface designs as ‘thumbnail’ sketches
on layout paper; you may work in two- or three-dimensions.
•
Implement your design system by sketching/drafting/mocking-up the complete alphabet
(A-Z in either upper or lower case letters).
•
Enlarge the six characters and a word identified below to a higher standard
of presentation.
Part 3
•
Present clean sketches/drafts/mock-ups of the complete alphabet of upper or lowercase
letters to show the system you have utilised in your typeface design.
•
Select two upper case letters, two lower case letters and two numerals of your
choice and present them as separate images.
•
Select any word of at least eight different letters and present it in either
upper case, lower case, or a combination of both, as a clean black image at a
size to fit on a piece of landscape A3 white paper.
•
The ‘x’ height of your typeface (size of the lower case ‘x’)
in the six separate characters (not necessary for the word) should be at least
8cm. Capitals and numerals should be presented in proportion to this measure.
•
Present a one page typed or clearly handwritten design rationale which explains
the reasons behind the design of your typeface.
•
Clearly print your name, the name of your new typeface and © 2005 at the
bottom of your designs.
•
Alternative design solutions (roughs) should be presented methodically
in your design journal.
Format. A3 and optional.
Time. One week
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