A-Z of Typefaces

Here's a response to a summer brief set for me with starting my degree at Leeds College of Art on the 23rd of this month. It proposed that I deliver 26 10cm x 10cm 2D pieces each displaying a letter of the alphabet, with the motive of expressing a bit about myself. Well, this range of work says that I like Typefaces; each piece has a key of up to 5 stars to represent my personal opinion of it, however I'm starting to think that was a pointless decision, because I doubt I'd ever knowingly use what I felt was a poor Typeface. Imagine Comic Sans for example, okay it sets the bar for a 1 star Typeface in my view, so it would be great in representing my opinion, but I still wouldn't feel comfortable with it among the other Typefaces.

Anyway here's a taste of some of the ones I've designed so far, there will be more to come.

Exhibition Mounting!

Phew! It's been one of those days, mounting and preparing exhibition spaces isn't one of my strong points, but it's worthwhile in the end. These two boards will be the blank canvas where my Final Major Project will unfold; I've decided to focus on the Swiss Typeface I created, as I feel this was the most successful body of work. The reason I think that, is probably because I like the theme behind it so much, the whole turning traditional Swiss Typography on it's head and applying a literal and ironic feel to it has been interesting, and I still think there's potential for it (or alternative routes I could have taken whilst still fulfilling my goal).

But here it is. I can honestly say I'm pleased with it, it's not mind blowing I'll admit, and it's not the strongest body of work I've done either, but I can genuinely say I believe I've achieved the goals I set out to accomplish.

Digital Swiss Collage

And here is the final one. I think it'll be nice once printed out full size with supporting media. I'm really pleased with it actually, it's been a lot of work, but rewarding at the same time. It's been nice to finally get some real Graphic Design work done. What I mean by that is, I've enjoyed doing my final major project very much, designing Typefaces has been an interesting learning curve and I'll probably visit the techniques I've learned again in the future. And while I've enjoyed it, I still enjoy putting the supporting design work towards it better. I think it's improved my view of Typefaces, I understand them differently now.

GQ Cover Mock-Up

Starting with the original.

In an earlier post I mentioned how the first Typeface I created was more abstract in certain characters than others, in particular the G & Q. Which got me thinking...coincidence? Or fate? Haha, no but really I tried applying the GQ logo with my own Font, then I changed aspects about it. Eventually I started to actually change the Typeface itself, changing the positions of the cross bars and finally cutting sections out to improve legibility. Essentially it is still the same Typeface I started with, it still reflects the key principles I set out with on creating it: Simplicity & Geometry. It's interesting how my final result has something of the original in it, perhaps it's the natural curvature of it.