Great Minds: Paula Scher

Modularity Font

Pattern Making

Layers

Video Summary: Foundations of Typography | Color, Contrast & Scale

This video offered lots of useful information to think about when working with typography. 

Fundamental considerations when making decisions regarding type: 
- length
- format
- audience
- surface

Things to remember when working with text type:

- Aim for even color/tonality

- No rivers/gaps in text

- No widows/orphans

- Keep tracking to a minimum

- Lengthy passages should appear in regular or book weight

- Font size and leadding affects the color of the text

- Content should play a role in the choice of typography

COLOR

- can create contrast or unity

- can elicit an emotional response

- can create hierarchy: enhance, amplify or separate text

- Consider the color of background against the color of type

CONTRAST: the degree of difference between two things

- Create contrast by using a typeface with a broad range of weights

- Use combination of serif and sans serif fonts

SCALE

- Bigger is better!

- Consider the size of surrounding elements

When working with text and image:

- Make use of the negative space in an image

- Try darkening the image behind text

- Use outlines and shadows to make text pop against a busy image

"Everything exists in relationship to everything else."

Hierarchy: Typeface Poster

Calligraphy Demo with Heber Miranda

Considering I previously knew nothing about calligraphy, I found the class demonstration quite interesting.  Heber Miranda is a graphic designer and calligrapher with design education from both City College and SDSU.  He currently works for MaeLin's design firm, Visual Asylum.  

Heber introduced us to many different calligraphy tools and techniques, including cola pens, pilot parallel pens, ruling pens and various calligraphy style brushes.  He actually makes his own calligraphy pens, which are beautiful ergonomic pieces handcrafted from wood and other materials.  The fact that he has (self-proclaimed) "terrible handwriting" is fascinating, because his calligraphy strokes are rather elegant and refined.  Heber describes calligraphy as his "obsession," and after hearing about the endless hours he spends practicing, I have a better understanding of the level of commitment and discipline necessary to master this particular craft.

Heber referred us to a website to use as a resource for learning more about calligraphy: www.iampeth.com