Objective

To survey historical trends in typography. To learn Adobe Illustrator's production tools by recreating the workmarks below:

Discussion

Decorative and display fonts can be beautiful, flavorful and fun. But one must be careful not to use them in the wrong way. Because many decorative fonts come from a specific time in history, one must do extensive historical research in order to choose the right font for the right period. Seasoned designers avoid using historical decorative fonts unless they are trying to evoke a specific "retro" style. Unfortuanately, untrained designers have a tendency to use the wrong font for the wrong historical period, resulting in embarassing and amatuerish designs.

Procedure

prepping for the exercise

1. download above GIF file (RMB on image: download image to disk)
2. using Font Explorer turn on the following fonts: Playbill, Harrington, Poplar, ITC Anna, Brush Script, Mojo (display set); Woodtype Ornaments 2 (picture set)
3. launch Illustrator
4. file > new (cmyk; letter), save as "history.ai"
5. practice Adobe navigation keyboard shortcuts: space=hand; space+cmd=zoom in; space+cmd+opt=zoom out; cmd+zero=fit in window

recreating the art

1. file > place "historical.gif" (as template)
2. rename "layer 1" as "art"
3. type the words on the template and spec the fonts indicated
4. copy type, convert copy to outlines, ungroup
5. group, size and distort as needed, draw borders and other art as needed
6. save, print
7. extra credit: create a wordmark for a contemporary cafe

grading

1. add your name to the bottom of the file
2. file > save for web: preset=GIF 32 no dither, image size=800px wide
3. publish GIF as a link from your projects page
4. submit a b&w laser proof with your name on it for grading
5. file graded proof in your 3-ring binder for individual review