TYPOGRAPHY TASK 3B : TYPE DESIGN AND COMMUNICATION

29.10.2021 - 26.11.2021 (Week 10 - Week 13)
Christie Angelica Bakhary / 0350655 
Typography / Bachelor of Design in Creative Media
Task 3B / Type Design and Communication

---

LECTURES

All lectures completed in Task 1 & Task 2

---

INSTRUCTIONS

From the knowledge we got from previous tasks, we were then assigned to make and animate a sticker with a theme of social events/social greetings that have been provided in the Google sheets,

Fig. 2.1 : List of social events in Google sheets (Week 10 ; 30/10/2021)

with some rules as follows :

1. Set a margin. Create columns and rows.

2. Choose an appropriate typeface from the 10 given

3. Must include the Taylor's Logo

4. Format the text while considering the point size, line

length, alignment, ragging and tracking.

5. Save as PNG (without background and with a 7pt white

outline), PDF, upload to G-Drive and embed onto

e-portfolio.

6. Screen grab your phone with the sticker sent.

Fig. 2.2 : Things to include in the e-blog post (Week 12 ; 12/11/2021)

In this task, we can use minor graphical elements and color schemes (that express/related to certain events) to support the text. We can used both Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop for this exercise.

---

PRACTICAL
From the provided list on the Google sheets , I chose to do attempt on the Merry Christmas greeting (as Christmas was already near and I think it will be fun to do the sticker of it).

Visual Research

Starting out by listing down things that are related to Christmas, which is shown as follow :

Fig. 3.1 : Christmas elements / essentials (Source : 123rf website) (Week 10 ; 03/10/2021)

1. Christmas tree + decorations/ornaments (ball, lamp, etc.)
2. Gifts / presents
3. Christmas socks / stocking
4. Snow, snowman, santa claus, reindeer
5. Christmas wreath
6. Gingerbread cookie & candy cane
7. Lights & candles (usually we do have many candles in Church on the Christmas Eve)
8. Red and green color

Then I collected and collage my favorites design and inspirations I found on some platform :

Fig. 3.2 : Sticker references (Week 10 ; 03/11/2021)

To get a clearer view and know what typefaces I'll be using from the given 10, I make a list of the Merry Christmas word on different fonts.

Fig. 3.3 : Variations of fonts from given 10 typefaces (Week 10 ; 03/11/2021)

Ideas
When thinking of ideas, I tried to think of ways to express the word to fit the Christmas theme and not to be too focused on the graphical elements.

Fig. 3.4 : Sticker ideas (Week 11 ; 10/11/2021)

First design : A very basic one which is Inspired by the round Christmas ornament. I made it using the envelope distort and make a blending shadow behind it. But then, I realized that this is too simple, doesn't have too much idea on it and is quite hard to read.

Second design : The idea behind it was basically a rudolph/reindeer shape head, where I distorted the Merry Christmas word to an ellipse shape to form the head and add a circle below it to form the nose which I'll be coloring it with red (rudolph's nose). Then, I also added two hanging elements on the antlers using the Taylor's logo and distorted 'Holly Jolly' word.

Third design : Similar with the second one, it is inspired by a reindeer/rudolph face but for this one I didn't distort it but just arranged it to make it look like it's face shape. To make it more expressive and Christmas related, I also added some Christmas elements (like santa, snowman, etc.) to replace the letter counter. I feel like this one doesn't affect too much on the readability than the second one, but it doesn't really have a strong expression on it. 

Progression (Before Revision)
Next, I created outline stroke / cut out sticker effect which I learnt from Youtube tutorial. I took quite a long time to be able to figured out how to properly created it since 

Fig. 3.5: Various cutting on the circle (Week 11 ; 09/11/2021)

Screen grab on Telegram :

As what Mr. Vinod suggested all the students to do, I also try tested out the black and white sticker version on Telegram, with the tutorial steps that have been given in the MIB

Fig. 3.x6: First screen grab of B&W version on Telegram (Week 11 ; 10/11/2021)

Revision Process 
After receiving feedback from Mr. Vinod, I added an ellipse shape for the ornaments and put Taylor's logo on it.

Fig. 3.6 : Deleting letter R counter (Week 11 ; 12/11/2021)

In class, I only showed one design to Mr. Vinod (which is the distorted reindeer) and forget to showed the non distorted one so I didn't get too much insight on what should I choose. When I wanted to make the outline for the distorted reindeer design, it didn't come out well and looks too weird for my liking. So then, I decided to go with the third design which is the non distorted reindeer because it'll easier to do the outline.

For the nose, I distorted the shape a bit, as the reindeer nose doesn't look that round.

To place the Christmas essentials I've made, I deleted the counter of R and A to make it look more blended together.

Fig. 3.7 : Deleting letter R counter (Week 11 ; 09/11/2021)

Next for the Taylor's logo ornament, I do some experiment on it, like trying to make the ball using 3D tool (shown in Fig. 3.  ), but just doesn't go so well. Then I decided to just create a flat shadow and highlight for it, as what Mr. Vinod suggested, because of some problems that appear while moving and animating it in After Effects.

Fig. 3.8 : Trying out the 3D tool (Week 11 ; 13/11/2021)

I created some variations of the ornaments, where each of them only have a slight differences from one another (can be read in the descriptions of below image). Then, I ended up on choosing the third choice.

Fig. 3.9 : Variations of the Taylor's Logo Ornament (Week 11 ; 13/11/2021)

Below are the graphical elements used in the sticker with a short description of what it's made :

Fig. 3.10 : List of Graphical Elements used (Week 11 ; 09/11/2021)

Next I proceed to do the outline of all the text and elements using the offset path tool

Fig. 3.11 : Deleting letter R counter (Week 12 ; 13/11/2021)

Because the outlines were separated and messy, I united all them to one and then set it into the back of the text and colored it.

Fig. 3.12 : Before and after revision B&W version (Week 12 ; 13/11/2021)

Then lastly I also applied 7pt outline just like what stated in the requirements.

Fig. 3.13 : Before and after outining (Week 12 ; 13/11/2021)

Coloring Progression
For the color schemes I searched for a warmer Christmas tone and a gold color palette to add a touch of elegance on the ornaments. There's some good color palette I found on google which I consider to use :

Fig. 3.14: Color palette from Shutterstock (Week 11 ; 11/11/2021)

Then I try applying some of each color palette to the B&W stickers, and turned out that the first palette suits the vibe. So then, I proceed to color the whole sticker using the palette.

Fig. 3.15 : Color palette used (Week 11 ; 11/11/2021)

Applying base color then gradient for the outline :

Fig. 3.16 : Applying color based on color palette (Week 11 ; 11/11/2021)

Variation (Idea Exploration)

Below are some color variations that I attempt :

1. Using an earth tone green color for the background, since the original palette I found on Google uses this color.

Fig. 3.17 : First draft (Week 11 ; 12/11/2021)

2. Using the color palette I make and shown above, but with no gradient.

Fig. 3.18 : Second draft (Week 11 ; 12/11/2021)

3. Similar with the previous one, but with gradient applied to add more depth and variation.

Fig. 3.19 : Third draft (Week 11 ; 12/11/2021)

For the last one, I tried to add a grain effect to the background to create a glitter-like texture as well as coloring it with radial gradient. 

Fig. 3.20 : Fourth draft (Week 11 ; 12/11/2021)

Animation
For the animation, I have the idea of moving both of the ornaments to left and right, then making the other elements (santa, and others) to appear slowly at the same time. I also thought to animate the rudolph's nose to move like it is being squished. 

Starting by animating the text and the small ornaments by playing with their opacity. Then, moving both of the big ornaments swinging left and right by rotating them. Next for the nose, I scaled them to imitate the squish effect. I also added an opacity keyframe to it so that the color will be more pop up and down when being squished. 

Fig. 3.21 : Keyframes preview (Week 11 ; 12/11/2021)

Finally, to make the transitions more smoother, I use the "Easy ease" option for some keyframes.

Fig. 3.22 : Easy ease option (Week 11 ; 12/11/2021)

Finally, I imported it to Photoshop with a total of 75 layers, and then save it as a GIF file format. 

Fig. 3.23 : Moving to Photoshop to save it as GIF (Week 12 ; 18/11/2021)

Final Submission

Fig. 3.24 : Final Submission BNW (Week 11 ; 12/11/2021)

Fig. 3.25 : Final Submission PNG 

(Week 11 ; 12/11/2021)

Fig. 3.25 : Final Submission PDF 

(Week 11 ; 12/11/2021)

Fig. 3.23 : Final Submission PNG (Week 12 ; 18/11/2021)

Download link :

https://t.me/addstickers/christmasticker

Approximate total time spent 
Around 18-20 hours

---

FEEDBACKS
Week 10
General Feedback :
Create a black and white version of it first, then you can proceed to search for a color scheme that matches the greeting you've chosen and apply it to your B&W sticker. Next, for the animation you don't need to do a very complex one and just do with a simple one.

Week 11
General Feedback :
Make sure to fit the sticker well into the artboard square so that it will not came out too small on telegram/whatsapp. The illustration used must be balanced and not being too depend to it.

Specific Feedback : -

Week 12
General Feedback :
Avoid using too many illustrations, instead figure out ways to express more on the typography and if possible try to use the keyboard symbols, like exclamation mark, full stop, and etc. 

Specific Feedback :
It is good but for the Taylor's logo put it on top of an ellipse shape so that it looks more like an ornament. Other than that, you can leave it plain or considered to put snowflakes there.

---

REFLECTIONS

Experience
At first I thought that it will be easy to create a Christmas theme sticker but I found that it was actually quite hard to came up with ideas, especially we're instructed to not used too many graphical elements. It took me a while to create a 'different' idea from the others Christmas stickers but nevertheless I finally made one, although it might seem not that unique but at least I tried and quite satisfied with it. Creating the animation gif is also quite fun and surprisingly it doesn't took much of my time as I've learn a bit of After Effects from photography module. Overall, this task is fun and I enjoy every process in it.

Observation
I observed that this task gave me experience/opportunity of exploring and researching ideas to create one expression and design. 

Findings

I found that creating typography expression for a word or theme is not an easy task at all, we need to do many research on what the word portray and means. For example like the word Christmas, we need to think of what elements that are actually related to it, then how can we apply it to the typography. Thus, I need to learn and practice more on doing it. I also realized that picking a color palette or just choosing what color to use need a lot of skill and practice, as well as more knowledge of the color theory, which is I'm still lacking of. 

---

FURTHER READING

Fig. 6.1 Typographic design: Form and communication (2015)

Reference:

Carter, R., Day, B., Meggs, P. B., Maxa, S., & Sanders, M.

(2015). Typographic design: Form and communication.

Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Fig. 6.2 Rendering Type on Screen

Chapter 8: Typography on Screen, page 146

- Screen fonts are bitmaps - digitised images made up of tiny dots.

- The more pixels used, the higher the resolution.

- Rendered type on screen loses some of its details such as stroke weight, subtle curves, and serif. Curved and diagonal edges rendered as pixels on a raster-scan display have a jagged stairstep quality, called “the jaggies.”

- Computer operating systems and a user’s choice of web browser also play vital roles.