Typography - Project 1: Typographic Exploration & Communication

 

TYPOGRAPHY | PROJECT 1

25/05/26 – 05/06/26 (Week 06 – Week 07)
Liu Mengdi (0391487)
Typography
Project 1: Typographic Exploration & Communication

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Lectures
2. Instructions
3. Process Work

3.1. Research

3.2. Ideation

3.3. Final Outcome

4. Feedback
5. Reflection
6. Further Reading

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1. LECTURES

1.1 Typo_5_Understanding

Maintaining x-height

Curved strokes, such as in 's', must rise above the median (or sink below the baseline) in order to appear to be the same size as the vertical and horizontal strokes they adjoin.

Fig. 1.1.1 the letter 's', Week 5 (23/5/26)

When you creating typefaces

• Don't overload your typeface with a lot of characteristics. As this leads to a very decorative but also very sophisticated letterform. Simplify your characteristics within the strokes of your letters and it needs to be replicable in all the other letter forms (consistency).
• Examine counters.
• Include design principles into your typography: Contrast.

Fig. 1.1.2 White spaces are forms, black spaces are counters, Week 5 (23/5/26)

Fig. 1.1.3 Variations of contrast, the most potent dynamic, Week 5 (23/5/26)

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2. INSTRUCTION

Project 1 / Typographic Exploration & Communication (Text Formatting and
Expression) (30% - Individual)

To express typographically the content in this link in a 2-page editorial spread (200mm x

200mm per page). Choose 1 from the 3 text options provided.

No images are allowed. 

Only using the prescribed 10 typefaces.

No color may be used in this task.

• 2-page editorial spread (200mm x 200mm per page)
• With baseline grid (JPG & PDF)
• Without grid (JPG & PDF)

Learning Goals

• To demonstrate the use of Grids, layouts and page flow.

• To apply the necessary skills and sensibilities for effective typographic communication and achieve good reading rhythm with memorability.

Marking Criteria

• Explorations: The typographic expression has been explored in great variety and creatively.
• Communication: The expression conceptually and typographically communicates the meaning being conveyed.
• Format: The textual information is extremely well formatted (font size, line-length, leading, alignment, cross alignment, reading rhythm, information hierarchy, widows and orphans).
• Layout & Composition: Suitable, impactful, memorable and engaging.

Timeframe

Week 6 – Week 7 (Deadline on Week 8)

Document 2.1 Module Information Booklet (MIB)  of Typography.Week 5 (24/5/26)

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3. PROCESS WORK

3.1. Research

“Bauhaus” is a modern design style that focuses on simplicity, functionality, and clean composition. It often uses geometric shapes, bold typography, and grid-based layouts to create strong visual hierarchy. The style avoids unnecessary decoration and emphasizes clarity and balance.Before I started designing the layout, I researched layout styles inspired by the Bauhaus aesthetic because I didn’t want the layout style to feel too different from the content itself.

I chose Bauhaus as the main visual focus for the headline because its bold geometric shapes and strong typography make the hierarchy clearer and help the headline stand out immediately. The clean and structured layout style also matches the content better, creating a more unified and visually consistent design. In addition, the minimalist and functional characteristics of Bauhaus help avoid unnecessary visual distractions while still making the composition feel modern and impactful.

Fig. 3.1.1 “Bauhaus" style research, Week 5 (23/5/26)

Fig. 3.1.2 layout research, Week 5 (23/5/26)

3.2. Ideation

Fig. 3.2.1 sketches, Week 5 (23/5/26)

This was the initial version. I wanted to represent both “Bauhaus” and “movement” at the same time, but Mr. Vinod said it would be better to focus on emphasizing just one of them, so I abandoned this version.

Fig. 3.2.2 initial version, Week 5 (24/5/26)

Fig. 3.2.3 initial version, Week 5 (24/5/26)

There was also a second version. I wanted to create a more casual feeling with it, but in the end, I still didn’t choose it as the final outcome.

Fig. 3.2.4 second version, Week 6 (25/5/26)

3.3. Final Outcome

Fig. 3.3.1 Final text formatting and expression without grid (JPG), Week 6 (25/5/26)

Fig. 3.3.2 Final text formatting and expression with grid (JPG), Week 6 (25/5/26)

 

Fig. 3.3.3 Final text formatting and expression with & without grid (PDF), Week 6 (25/5/26)

HEAD

- Font/s: Univers LT Std 45 Light

- Type Size/s: 75 pt

- Leading: 90 pt

- Paragraph spacing: 0 pt

BODY
- Font/s: Univers LT Std 45 Light
- Type Size/s: 9 pt
- Leading: 11 pt
- Paragraph spacing: 0 pt
- Characters per-line: 61
- Alignment: Align Left

Page Margins

- top: 10 mm

- left: 10 mm

- right: 10 mm

- bottom: 10 mm
- Columns: 2
- Gutter: 5 mm

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4. FEEDBACK

Week 6

General feedback: Mr. Vinod said the design tries to express movement, but the main idea is not clear enough and the composition feels weak.

Specific feedback: He said there is a conflict between “movement” and “Bauhaus,” and one needs to be more dominant in the design. He also said the headline is not strong, and the headline and text feel like two separate layouts without a clear relationship. The text formatting is fine, but the connection between elements needs improvement.

Week 7

General feedback: 

Specific feedback:

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5. REFLECTION

5.1.  Experience
After learning from the previous task, I felt less anxious when working on Project 1. I was more confident in arranging text and developing different layout ideas. The design process felt smoother than before.

5.2. Observations

This task focused on the relationship between headlines and body text. I noticed that the size, position, and spacing of the headline can greatly affect the overall layout. A strong headline can attract attention, while the body text helps support the message. The balance between the two is important for clear communication.

5.3. Findings

I found that a layout works better when the headline and body text have a clear visual connection. Hierarchy helps readers understand information more easily. Through this task, I learned how typography can guide attention and improve communication.

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6. FURTHER READING

Fig. 6.1 A Type Primer_2nd Ed_by John Kane_1, Week 7 (1/6/26)

A Type Primer by John Kane is a basic book about typography and layout design. It explains that type design is not just about how things look, but also about how we communicate information. The book shows how fonts, letter shapes, and page layout can change how people read and understand text. It also introduces the history of typography and how classic type styles have changed over time. With simple examples, the author explains basic rules of layout and useful design skills. Overall, this book helps beginners understand typography better and learn the basic ideas of design.

Fig. 6.2 A Type Primer_2nd Ed_by John Kane_1, Week 7 (1/6/26)

This figure shows the basic idea of layout design. Grids help keep layouts organized, but they don’t have to be followed too strictly. Visual contrast and alignment play a big role in how information is understood, and clear readability is the most important part of design. Good typography needs a balance between following rules and being creative.