Sunday, 13 November 2016

OUGD403 - End of Module Evaluation

Since our research trip to Yorkshire Sculpture Park and The Hepworth Gallery, I have learnt a great amount about typography, how it can be developed and used. This trip was a starting point for my learning into typography, allowing me to realise the possibilities of type in that it doesn’t only have to be two-dimensional. It opened my eyes to the ways in which type can be used within three-dimensional sculptures and now can easily spot letterforms within such pieces of work. This will also better inform my work in future projects, whereby my methods of experimentation will vary between 2D and 3D, such as creating paper structures, which could provide some interesting ideas.

Another thing I have gained from this module is a better understanding of typographic terminology. This has allowed me to engage with my learning and work more, particularly in studio brief two where an understanding of typographic terms was essential in helping to create our own bespoke typeface. It also allows me to explain my ideas clearly in a more professional and informed way, and to pick out distinctive elements of letterforms if ever working with typography again in the future. For instance, how these elements made a typeface more characterful and fit for specific purposes. Kerning is one of these elements used in typography which I had not learnt about until starting this module. The kerndown task allowed me to see how altering the spacing between letterforms can better represent a particular brand or company.

Throughout this module I believe that my digital skills have also improved, through workshops and my own guided learning within a brief. Illustrator was a piece of software I had never worked with before until starting this course. I now have a basic understanding of how to create vector images, and in particular, using the pen tool, which was very beneficial in producing both my logotypes and my own typeface.

Research and further reading is another thing that has informed a lot of my work throughout this module. Research into Josef Muller-Brockmann’s and Massimo Vignelli’s classic typefaces has shown me what they believe classifies as a strong typeface and I have used some of these ideas within my work. For example, my bespoke typeface aimed to go against Muller-Brockmann’s belief that “what is feeble is never good” in terms of typography. I have also realised that general research for a project does not always have to be obvious, sometimes the less obvious routes are the best and looking at something which contrasts with your initial ideas makes for more interesting and developed final outcomes. For example, in the ligatures task, it was too easy to take an obvious approach to the task in keeping with original letterforms, but research into the ampersand showed that the ligature no longer looks like an e and t (‘et’ was the Latin word for ‘and’), and yet we still know what this symbol communicates. 

Overall, this module has been both challenging and engaging. I have learnt many new skills which will help with my progression through the course and the development of my work, and I hope that these will continue to develop. All these skills will not only help in the progression of my course, but will also help me after my degree in the hope of becoming a professional designer. And in conclusion, the module has taught me that if you’re not challenged, you won’t get any better as a designer.

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