GDS 110 Typography I

Project 1: Type Specimen Poster

Instructor: Jennifer Davis
jdavis@parkland.edu

Office hour: W, 5–6pm in X126B

 

Objective

To develop conceptual thinking skills. To communicate ideas visually and verbally. To explore typography styles. To develop systems of visual organization.

 

Secondary objectives

To utilize Illustrator as a layout and production tool.

 

Description

Design a type specimen poster for the International Typeface Corporation (ITC). The final poster may be printed on an inkjet plotter and framed. The size of the poster is 24x36 inches and it must "sell" the typeface to potential users of the font. You may only choose from the following list.

Required elements for the poster:

  • must include the entire alphabet of the font (caps and lowercase)
  • a paragraph about the font and/or designer written by you
  • the ITC logo
  • ITC's web address: www.itcfonts.com
  • your name as designer
Approved font requests:

  • American Typewriter- Rob Law
  • Avant Garde
  • Berkeley Oldstyle- Will Young
  • Bookman
  • Caslon 224
  • Century
  • Cheltenham
  • Clearface
  • Esprit- Monica Norwood
  • Fenice- Jonah Christman
  • Franklin Gothic
  • Galliard
  • Garamond- Mark Melvin
  • Giovanni
  • Goudy Sans- Dillon Lamando
  • Highlander- Jonny Ashikyan
  • Korinna- Burke Stanion
  • Legacy
  • Lubalin Graph-
  • Mendoza Roman
  • Mona Lisa- Chloe Vecellio
  • New Baskerville
  • Novarese
  • Officina Sans
  • Officina Serif
  • Slimbach
  • Stone Sans
  • Stone Serif
  • Tiepolo
  • Tiffany- Bissie Buscombe
  • Usherwood- Andrew Russell
  • Veljovic

    •  

Procedure

1. RESEARCH: Review the fonts available in C138 and "claim" your top three choices by emailing me at jdavis@parkland.edu. I will do my best to accommodate your preferences (but I cannot guarantee that you will get your top choices). Consideration will be given to the order I receive your emails (so don't delay).

2. COPYWRITING: Upon approval of your font selection, research your font's history as well as the font designer (tip: start with the book Typography, which is in Parkland Library's reference section). Write a paragraph about your font and its designer. Print a draft of your text and have someone else proofread it. Revise your draft as needed, then post it to your blog. Be sure to give yourself ample time to make revisions and corrections.

3. DEVELOP THE CONCEPT: In your sketchbook begin to conceptualize ideas for this project (see examples of sketches) Make at least 10 sketches of all possible directions you might take this project. Edit your concepts down to your best three ideas and redraw them on 8.5 x 11 white paper using a felt tip pen. Scan and publish your concepts on your personal projects page for critique.

4. EXECUTION: Based on the critique of the above, use Adobe Illustrator to translate your sketch into a digital file. Print a b&w proof of your design for critique. Also generate a web-ready JPEG and publish your proof on your personal projects page.

5. PORTFOLIO PREPARATION: Based on the critique of the above, make adjustments as needed and add color. Add revised JPEGs of your designs to your personal personal projects for final critique (do not delete older versions). If necessary, make refinements until you are 100% satisfied with the project. Print a color "comp" for your portfolio. Be sure to save all your files for future editing.

6. GRADING: Submit two fully conceived "comps" with your name on the back for grading. One proof will be returned to you after grading. File the graded proof in your Process Book for individual review along with all the preliminary work you did for the project (research, brief, sketches, preliminary proofs, final comp). You will not receive credit for this project if any of the above elements are missing.

7. EXTRA CREDIT: Submit your project into next year's student show by printing an art gallery quality proof and mounting it on foam board. Also prepare an archival quality JPEG (800px wide, no larger than 200K) and submit your project using the online entry form at gds.parkland.edu/show. Your project may win a cash prize and be published in a showcase of student work on Parkland's website. I may also ask for a high resolution PDF for professional printing and framing for this project only.