Advanced Typography | Task 1: Exercises

Date: 23/09/2025 - 14/10/2025 (Week 1 -Week 4)
Deadline: 19/10/2025 (Week 5)
Aishath Eshal Shihab, 0381863
Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media - Taylor's University
Task 1: Exercises

Lectures

Week 1: AdTypo_1_Typographic Systems

Some people think that using typographic systems take away intuition but from a teaching point of view it provides a solid foundation to branch off of and helps guide learners in their exploration while their intuition develops.

Axial - when all the elements are organised to the left or right of an axis.
Radial - when all the elements are extended from a point of focus.
Dilatational - when all elements expand circularly from a central point.
Random - when the elements appear to have no specific relation or pattern.
Grid - made of vertical and horizontal lines.
Transitional - informational system made of layered banding.
Modular - series of non-objective shapes constructed in standard units.
Bilateral - when all the text is arranged symmetrically on a single axis.

Week 2: AdTypo_2_Typographic Composition

Typographic composition is not exactly the dominant principles underpinning design composition - emphasis, isolation, repetition, symmetry, asymmetry, alignment, perspective, etc - as these are more applicable to real life content.

Environmental Grid: This is based on the exploration of an existing structure or multiple structures combined. The designer organizes their information on this super structure of both straight and curved crucial lines.

Figure 1.1 Environmental Systems Week 2 (05/10/2025)

Form and Movement: Based on the exploration of an existing grid system. Developed to explore the multitude of options the grid offers, dispel the seriousness around grids, and to see the turning of pages in a book as a slowed down animation in the form that constitutes the placement of text, images, and colour. (worked out by Mr.Vinod)

Week 3: AdTypo_3_Context&Creativity

Handwriting

We talk about greek influence on rome but not egyptian or near eastern influence on greece because in the 19th century, the rise of the modern British empire, people didn't credit Africans with anything of value, so Greek and Rome were over much older, more influential civilizations.

Through research, curiosity, and respect, later day typographers paid homage to typographic developments by writing and publishing books.

Eastern developments in handwriting:

Evolution of Middle Eastern alphabets.

Figure 1.2 Evolution of Middle Eastern Alphabet Week 3 (11/09/2025)

Evolution of Chinese script.

Figure 1.3 Evolution of Chinese Script Week 3 (11/09/2025)

The oldest writing found in the Indian subcontinent, the Indus Valley Civilization.

Figure 1.3 IVC Writing Week 3 (11/09/2025)

The Brahmi Script.

Figure 1.4 Brahmi Script Week 3 (11/09/2025)

The oldest writing system in South East Asia were Indian scripts, most importantly Pallava, originally used for writing Sanskrit or Tamil. It was highly influential and became a basis for writing in SEA. Another writing system was Pra-nagari, an early form of the Nagari script.

Kawi, based on Nagari but indigenous to Java. It was the script used to keep in contact with other kingdoms so it was widespread and became the basis of other scripts in both Indonesia and the Philippines.

Incung from Kerinchi is the original writing system for Kampung Kerinci, not Jawi.
Jawi, is the arabic based alphabet. Ancient Hindu societies in South and Southeast Asia were classist and caste-based. Lower classes were generally illiterate and Islam didn't completely change this but it encouraged teaching.

When traders engaged in missionary work they taught Jawi to peopl who otherwise may nit have learnt to read or write so Jawi spread among the upper and middle classes in the trading ports.

For decades Asia/East neglected much of its written heritage by adapting western printing technologies. It was difficult to create old text in print form because it would take much time, effort and money. With the mild renaissance in the East, the advent of computer programmers in large numbers, we're starting to see the proliferation of indigenous scripts on devices.

Programmers & Type Design

Software giants are producing more vernacular scripts to cater to situations where the written matter is communicated in the vernacular or Latin scripts.

Local Movements & Individuals

murasu.com by programmer and typographer Muthu Nedumaran. The programming language to encode different types of vernacular systems was cracked by Muthu and is used in mobiles and desktops.
Huruf, a local group of graphic designers are amongst the most prominent organizations digitizing and revitalizing typefaces in Malaysia.
Ek Type and Indian Type Foundry are organizations that have done work with the development of vernacular typefaces in India.

Instructions

Module Information Booklet

Exercise 1: Typographic Systems

Explore the 8 systems Axial, Radial, Dilatational, Random, Grid, Modular, Transitional, and Bilateral using the following content:

The Design School,
Taylor’s University

All Ripped Up: Punk Influences on Design
or
The ABCs of Bauhaus Design Theory
or
Russian Constructivism and Graphic Design

Open Public Lectures:
June 24, 2021
Lew Pik Svonn, 9AM-10AM
Ezrena Mohd., 10AM-11AM
Suzy Sulaiman, 11AM-12PM

June 25, 2021
Lim Whay Yin, 9AM-10AM
Fahmi Reza, 10AM-11AM
Manish Acharia, 11AM-12PM

Lecture Theatre 12

The exercise task is to be done using Adobe InDesign only. Size 200 x 200 mm. In addition to black, you can use one other colour. Graphical elements (line, dot, etc.) can be used but limitedly.

Exercise 2: Type & Play

Students will be asked to select an image of a man-made object (chair, glass, etc.) or structures (buildings), or something from nature (Human, landscape, leaf, plant, bush, clouds, hill, river, etc). Ensure that the image does not contain many different elements.

Students will analyse, dissect and identify potential letterforms within the dissected image. The forms would be explored and ultimately digitized. It is expected that through a process of iteration the forms would go from crude representation to a more refined celebration that would reflect to a degree its origins.

Upon completing the letterforms, students will combine the letterforms with an image that is the basis of the extracted letters. The objective is to enhance/support the interplay between the letterforms and the selected visual. The text must be woven into a symbiotic relationship with the image.

Progress

Exercise 1
Typographic Systems

For this exercise I used "The ABCs of Bauhaus Design Theory". The colour I picked was a red (hex code: #bd202e) because I noticed it was used a lot in Bauhaus designs. Also, I tried to keep the system exploration more simple while including a few shapes because in my research of Bauhaus I noticed it's a core part of the design style. So, I started by sketching out my ideas for each of the 8 systems.

Figure 2.1 Sketches Week 1 (27/09/2025)

These are the sketches in the order - Axial, Radial, Dilatational, Random, Grid, Modular, Transitional, and Bilateral. When I did these sketches I spent a lot of time researching and looking up the systems and posters/typography/styles of Bauhaus on Pinterest and Google. I did not like this first sketch of the random system so I did another one.

Figure 2.2 Second Sketch of Random System Week 1 (27/09/2025)

And, while recreating the sketches I found my first sketch of the bilateral system a little off so I changed that one in InDesign itself.

Figure 2.3 First Compilation of 8 Systems Week 1 (27/09/2025)

After receiving feedback from Mr. Vinod I redid most of these again with a better understanding.

Exercise 2
Type & Play

Figure 3.1 Image Week 2 (04/10/2025)

For this exercise I used a close up image of a basket ball net to extract letterforms.

Figure 3.2 Extracted Letterforms 1 Week 2 (04/10/2025)

This is how I first extracted shaped to use as letterforms.

Figure 3.3 Refining Process 1 Week 2 (04/10/2025)

Above is the font I used as a reference, Saira, and the process of refining the letterforms to create a more legible font.

Figure 3.4 First Outcome Week 2 (04/10/2025)

After completing the extraction and refining process I found that the letters didn't represent a basketball net, and it looked clunky. So I started over.

Figure 3.5 Extracted Letterforms 2 Week 2 (05/10/2025)

Above is my second attempt at extracting the same letterforms from the same image. this time I tried to make the knots more clear, outline them separately and then the string lines separately.

Figure 3.6 Refining Process 2 Week 2 (05/10/2025)

This is the refinement process for my second try at the exercise. I used the same reference font, Saria.

Figure 3.7 Outcome Week 2 (05/10/2025)

I showed this outcome to Mr. Vinod during class and he gave me pointers on how I could make it better so I changed it up accordingly.

Figure 3.6 Refining Process 2 Week 2 (05/10/2025)

Mr. Vinod told me to make the knots more uniform. Like have one knot for the ends, one for the middles, and one for joining. I picked the best looking knots and executed as such.

Final Output

Task 1

Figure 4.1 Axial System Week 4 (08/10/2025)

Figure 4.2 Radial System Week 4 (08/10/2025)

Figure 4.3 Dilatational System Week 4 (08/10/2025)

Figure 4.4 Random System Week 4 (08/10/2025)

Figure 4.5 Grid System Week 4 (08/10/2025)

Figure 4.6 Modular System Week 4 (08/10/2025)

Figure 4.7 Transitional System Week 4 (08/10/2025)

Figure 4.8 Bilateral System Week 4 (08/10/2025)

Figure 4.9 All 8 Systems Week 4 (08/10/2025)

Figure 4.10 All 8 Systems PDF Week 4 (08/10/2025)

Figure 4.10 All 8 Systems PDF With Guides Week 4 (08/10/2025)

Task 2

Figure 5.1 Image Week 4 (08/10/2025)

Figure 5.2 Extracted Letterforms on Baseline Week 4 (08/10/2025)

Figure 5.3 Reference Font Saria Week 4 (08/10/2025)

Figure 5.4 Refinement Process Week 4 (08/10/2025)

Figure 5.5 Final Letterforms on Baseline Week 4 (08/10/2025)

Figure 5.6 Original Extraction & Final Letterforms Week 4 (08/10/2025)

Figure 5.7 Collage Week 4 (08/10/2025)

Figure 5.8 Poster Week 4 (08/10/2025)

Feedback

Week 1

General Feedback: We were briefed on how to set up our eportfolios, filled in the feedback sheet with ids, eportfolio links, and email addresses, and we were informed that we should finish the first exercise, Typographic Systems, by the following week's class.

Specific Feedback: -

Week 2

General Feedback: Studying previous student's works can help us hone our typographic skills. When it comes to modular systems you should be able to take any section and move it to a different section, this is where it differs from grid systems. To fully understand how to do Task 2, , we should do further reading.

Specific Feedback: My work was too focused on the shapes rather than the text. Elements are allowed but only to accompany the text, hence why my radial system is fine. The axial system should have a clear line of axis and bilateral systems can only have one line of symmetry.

Week 3

General Feedback: We were given feedback for our exercise 2 work and told to finish task 1 by next week's class. It is important to have important elements of the image in your extracted letterforms and final type.

Specific Feedback: Mr. Vinod told me to make the knots in my letterforms more cohesive by choosing one knot for the ends, another for the middle, another for meeting points, and so on. This would give a more clean look.

Week 4

General Feedback: Complete the mindmap , moodboard, and first sketches for task two part A by next week.

Specific Feedback: For this exercise, I should use an image of the object I used to extract the letterforms. Rearrange the text so that it's not so extreme.

Reflections

Task 1

Experience

Doing this task, exploring typographic systems, was not as easy as it looked. The first time I tried to come up with my own layouts that could fit the system requirements but most of those didn't meet the standard as they were too element heavy. When I amended it later I looked at the systems included in the book, Typographic Systems by Kimberly Elam, and used those as sort of a base. In the end, it was a bit stressful to make something meeting the system requirements and also something completely mine, but it was fun to explore how different typographic systems work.

Observations:

I found that even though there are guides, all the systems are still very lenient. There are so many possibilities under just one system and, even though we didn't explore it in this exercise, you can even use two systems together. Although, I did mix up the modular and grid systems a bit, because they seemed similar, I figured it out in the end. Overall, I would say that the random system is the most difficult to produce because having no guides makes it harder to create something interesting to look at but also legible.
Findings:

During this exercise, I realised that the systems create a sort of path for the viewers eyes. Using the typographic systems and hierarchy, we are forming a trail for the viewer where they will read the information from the heading to the paragraph text.

Task 2

Experience:

In the process of doing Task 2, I noticed that it's not very hard to find letterforms in objects. It just takes a keen eye and a little observation. The task itself was not hard, finding a pre existing font that matched the vibe of the letterforms I was going for turned out to be more difficult than the actual extraction and refining. All in all, the task was fun and interesting, I got to learn a lot about letterforms.

Observations:

It was easy to see that this task was made for us to explore letterforms in a more hands-on way. And I think it does that well. I had to really look hard and think of letters that would really pop from the elements in the image. For my task, I chose the net specifically because I thought it would be easy to make the word "score" using the net shape. It took a lot of critical thinking and keen eye to finish the task.

Findings:

After making my first extractions, I started finding letterforms in more random objects and places. I think it's really cool that doing work like this can affect the way we see and think about things outside of the work as well. I also found that there are specific things that make a shape look like a letter. The recognition doesn't exactly depend on how complex or simple it looks but how well the shapes/elements are used in the letterform. The balance of keeping the element obvious but also not making it hard to read the letter is important.

1. Typographic Systems by Kimberly Elam

Figure 4.1 Typographic Systems Cover

Axial Systems: All elements are aligned either to the left or right of a single axis. The axis can be created anywhere on the page to create a symmetrical or asymmetrical composition. Experience reveals that asymmetric compositions are more interesting than symmetric ones as asymmetry creates a shift in the proportion of larger and smaller space resulting in heightened visual interest.

Radial Systems: All elements extend from a central point of focus like rays. The point can be implied or depicted. As the traditional horizontal baseline is being dismissed it can affect the readability. The lines of text should be arranged in the most comfortable way.

Dilatational Systems: Circle dilate or expand from a central point.Variations of this system could include dilations that tangent, non-concentric, or having multiple dilations.

Random Systems: Elements are arranged without aim, pattern, direction, rule, method, or purpose. The human eye and brain are programmed to be pattern-seeking, image-seeking, and order-seeking so the viewer still imposes organization and composition. Still, random placement can yield a dynamic and spontaneous result that, although difficult to read, is visually satisfying.

Grid Systems: A system of vertical and horizontal lines that organise and create relationships between elements. Usually formal and intended to create visual order and economy in the product. Frequently used in publication and web design as it guides information hierarchies and promotes visual rhythm and consistency

Transitional Systems: An informal system of layered and shifted banding. There are no inter-relationships along an axis or edge alignments, the elements move freely left and right. Lines of type are free flowing and the textures they create help in ordering the message.

Modular Systems: Dependent on standardised non-objective units that act as a ground to hold and contain text. Compositions are created by the placement and organisation of the modular units. The idea is to standardise the unit where the typography rests and compose the message with the modules.

Bilateral Systems: A single axis with the lines of text centered along the middle of it. As this is the most symmetrical and predictable composition it can be hard to make it interesting.

2. Finding Type: A Novel Typographic Exercise

1. Finding an Image: The image selected must have a strong and consistent character, preferably a subject matter that is similar or repetitive in nature.

2. Deconstructing an Image: Outline the image or outline the identified shapes, either way, what's important is the observation of the constituent shapes and forms of the object in the image being studied.

3. Identifying Letterforms: Identify letterforms within the outlined areas. The shapes may not look exactly like the letter but as long as it resembles its basic shape, it's acceptable.

4. Extracting Letterforms: Extract the letters from the deconstructed image and place them on a baseline to study as a whole and in comparison to each other. Identify core characteristics, and determine a potential direction.

5. Identify a Reference Typeface: The typeface should suit the type of art direction being pursued. It is to guide you toward an overall aesthetic, but also to serve as a point of reference when determining the shape or form of a letter according to convention.

6. Refining Letterforms: Imagine the original extraction on one side of a continuum, and the reference typeface at the other end. The objective here is to refine the letterform to a point where it is consistent, uniform and stylistically similar to the other extracted letterforms.