Objective

To learn to see fonts as shapes and objects instead of letterforms. To explore the hidden character set of a font. To learn Adobe Illustrator production techniques by creating a portrait similar to the example below:

Procedure

1. visit Bembo's Zoo for inspiration
2. study Parkland's classic fonts specimen sheets
3. launch Illustrator
4. file > new: profile=print, size=letter (portrait); save file as "portait-serif.ai"
5. practice Adobe navigation keyboard shortcuts: space=hand; space+cmd=zoom in; space+cmd+opt=zoom out; cmd+zero=fit in window

Choosing a serif font

1. choose a classic serif font and type the entire alphabet (including numbers and punctuation)
2. repeat with shift, option, and shift+option keys depressed
3. select tool: make type large (use SHIFT to retain proportions)
4. duplicate type (move with the option key)
5. type > create outlines (cmd+shift+O)
6. object > ungroup (cmd+shift+G)
7. as a warm-up, recreate the portrait above by copying select outlines and rearranging them as shown
8. create a typographic portrait of yourself by selecting outlines of your choice (you may use each character in the font set only once, do not distort the original design of the typeface)
9. clean-up your printable area; add your name to the bottom of the page in 9pt Helvetica

Choosing a sans-serif font

1. save; save as "portrait-sans.ai"
2. delete unneeded outlines
3. change the font to a classic sans-serif font of your choice
4. create a completely different typographic portrait of yourself (try using different characters than your first portrait)
5. print b&w laser proofs of both designs for critique
6. make adjustments (if necessary)
7. generate a GIF file of your favorite design for your personal projects page (file > save for web: preset=GIF 32 no dither; image size: width=500px, clip to artboard=yes)

grading

1. submit b&w laser proofs with your name on it for grading
2. file graded proof in your 3-ring binder for individual review