OUGD403 - Studio Brief 02 - Interim Crit Feedback and Analysis

One piece of feedback received from this interim crit suggested to not be too obvious in my approach to this project. The idea of using a typeface which is already slightly flimsy is a safe path to take. Instead I should work with a typeface which contrasts to the idea of flimsiness, such as Helvetica or Univers (both strong sans-serif typefaces, whereas Caslon and Clarendon are both serif typefaces), and change the weights, strokes and axis of theses letterforms to create more subtle changes which still work towards making the typeface less stable. I agree that the first two ideas are both very similar and should therefore look at the 'flimsy' characteristics of each typeface and work with these more closely instead.

It was also suggested that I try working more abstract with the letterforms. For instance, use the idea of an unstable structure, look at it's characteristics, basic shapes, etc and see how this could be applied to the letterforms within a typeface. This is a strong idea, however if I were to develop this further I would not abstract the letterforms too much so that they are no longer legible, otherwise this would diminish the purpose of a functional typeface. 

Others suggested that some ideas reminded them of physical objects, such as a child's mobile. For me this means that experimentation with not only sketches, but also three-dimensional design would be a valuable source of inspiration. This would allow me to see first-hand the kinds of effects a piece of paper or certain materials gain when they are folded and manipulated. Ideas from this could then form characteristics in the design of my own bespoke typeface.