Playing with Type: 50 graphic experiments for exploring typographic design principles

193 Pages·2013·39.448 MB·English

by  Lara McCormick

type
PLAYING
with
50 graphic experiments
for exploring typographic design principles
lara mccormick
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© 2013 Rockport Publishers
First published in the United States of America in 2013 by
Rockport Publishers, a member of
Quayside Publishing Group
100 Cummings Center
Suite 406-L
Beverly, Massachusetts 01915-6101
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.rockpub.com
Visit RockPaperInk.com to share your opinions, creations, and passion for design.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission of
To students, teachers, graphic designers, and typophiles
the copyright owners. All images in this book have been reproduced with the knowledge and prior consent
of the artists concerned, and no responsibility is accepted by producer, publisher, or printer for any
infringement of copyright or otherwise, arising from the contents of this publication. Every effort has
been made to ensure that credits accurately comply with information supplied. We apologize for any
inaccuracies that may have occurred and will resolve inaccurate or missing information in a subsequent
reprinting of the book.
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
ISBN: 978-1-59253-817-1
Digital edition published in 2013
eISBN: 978-1-61058-792-1
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
McCormick, Lara.
Playing with type : 50 graphic experiments for exploring typographic design principles / Lara McCormick.
pages cm. — (Playing)
Summary: “Playing with Type is a hands-on, playful approach to learning type application and principles.
This engaging guide begins with an introduction to the philosophy of learning through the process of
play. Along with a series of experimental design projects with an emphasis on type, the author provides
designers with a “toolkit” of ideas and skills developed through the process of play. The awareness and
sensitivity to type styles, forms, and type choices gained through these visual experiments will increase
the designer’s confidence in their personal and professional work. This book can be used in the classroom
or independently, and readers can go directly to exercises that appeal to them”— Provided by publisher.
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 978-1-59253-817-1
1. Graphic design (Typography) I. Title.
Z246.M373 2013
686.2’2--dc23
2012030802
Design: Lara McCormick
Layout and Production: tabula rasa graphic design
Printed in China
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contents
introduction 7 27 3-D Type 90
28 Found Letters in the Environment 94
type primer 8 29 ABCs 95
30 Type Specimen Poster 98
glossary of type terms
9

lettering play
103
letter and wordplay
11 31 Hand Lettering 101 104
1 Ransom Note 12 32 Pen-Written Origins of the Lowercase 108
2 Type as Image 15 33 Script Practice 112
3 Type as Pattern and Texture 18 34 Chalkboard Type 114
4 Typographic Pictures 21 35 Signage, Part 1: Appreciation 117
5 Expressive Type 23 36 Signage, Part 2: Letter Revival 120
6 Descriptive Word Pairs 26 37 Photo-Lettering 125
7 Drop Caps 28
8 Ampersands 31
playing with context and application
9 Lucky Numbers 35 129
10 Manipulating Type 38 38 Text in the City 130
11 Ligature Monogram 40 39 Type Constructions, Part 1 136
40 Type Constructions, Part 2 141
41 Talking Objects 146
project-based play
43 42 Food + Type 150
12 Homage to an Influential Typographer 44 43 Helvetica Recontextualized 154
13 Bauhaus Grid 47 44 Giant Cross-Stitch Type 158
14 All in the Family 50 45 Daily Reminders 162
15 Mixing Typefaces 52
16 Adding Flourishes 56
playing with type with friends
17 Script for Special Occasions 59 165
18 Using Found Type 62 46 Fence Messaging 166
19 Captivating Headlines 66 47 Love Letter 170
20 Type-Driven Logo 68 48 Betterpress 173
21 Branding with Type 70 49 Light Up Your Type 175
22 Type in Motion 74 50 Optimistic Words 178
23 Six Word Story 76
Resources 183
alphabet play
81
Contributors 184
24 Modular Type 82 Index 187
25 Handwriting 85 Acknowledgments 191
26 Opposites Attract 88 About the Author 192
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contents
introduction 7 27 3-D Type 90
28 Found Letters in the Environment 94
type primer 8 29 ABCs 95
30 Type Specimen Poster 98
glossary of type terms
9

lettering play
103
letter and wordplay
11 31 Hand Lettering 101 104
1 Ransom Note 12 32 Pen-Written Origins of the Lowercase 108
2 Type as Image 15 33 Script Practice 112
3 Type as Pattern and Texture 18 34 Chalkboard Type 114
4 Typographic Pictures 21 35 Signage, Part 1: Appreciation 117
5 Expressive Type 23 36 Signage, Part 2: Letter Revival 120
6 Descriptive Word Pairs 26 37 Photo-Lettering 125
7 Drop Caps 28
8 Ampersands 31
playing with context and application
9 Lucky Numbers 35 129
10 Manipulating Type 38 38 Text in the City 130
11 Ligature Monogram 40 39 Type Constructions, Part 1 136
40 Type Constructions, Part 2 141
41 Talking Objects 146
project-based play
43 42 Food + Type 150
12 Homage to an Influential Typographer 44 43 Helvetica Recontextualized 154
13 Bauhaus Grid 47 44 Giant Cross-Stitch Type 158
14 All in the Family 50 45 Daily Reminders 162
15 Mixing Typefaces 52
16 Adding Flourishes 56
playing with type with friends
17 Script for Special Occasions 59 165
18 Using Found Type 62 46 Fence Messaging 166
19 Captivating Headlines 66 47 Love Letter 170
20 Type-Driven Logo 68 48 Betterpress 173
21 Branding with Type 70 49 Light Up Your Type 175
22 Type in Motion 74 50 Optimistic Words 178
23 Six Word Story 76
Resources 183
alphabet play
81
Contributors 184
24 Modular Type 82 Index 187
25 Handwriting 85 Acknowledgments 191
26 Opposites Attract 88 About the Author 192
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introduction
This book is for anyone who loves type. Lettering Play: Lettering involves practice GeTTinG ReADy: TyPe PRimeR
“Irevertedeasily It contains fifty experiments that will and repetition. Like most things, the more Before you begin, review the Type Primer
educate you about type through a hands- you do it the better you get. This section section. This section provides a glossary
on, creative approach. You will improve will introduce different lettering styles of terms used in the experiments and
your type skills, explore new areas, play, and methods. important information on type anatomy
and be inspired! and classifications that will help inform
Playing with Context and Application: your work.
The intention of Playing with Type is to Applying type in unexpected places
tomywild get you to think differently about provides surprisingly great results—and TAkinG PRoCess sHoTs
typography. It enforces principles of type lots of inspiration. Many of the experiments in this book are
and also pushes the form into new arenas. nondigital. In these cases, it is important to
Each spread is filled with images of Playing with Type with Friends: Use the record your process as your work unfolds.
project results and examples of the project projects on these pages and plan a type date Always take process photos while you work.
objectives applied in industry work. with friends, throw a type workshop, or It’s much more interesting to see how a
even put together a type-based exhibition! project is created from the beginning than
state,thatis The book is divided into six sections: it is to see only a photo of the final result.
HoW To Use THis Book
Letter and Wordplay: We’ll explore the At any time, you can flip through the book BACkGRoUnD
letter as image and pattern, manipulate and select an experiment. There is no The exercises in the book came from
letterforms, and visually express the order to the contents; you are encouraged different areas. While compiling the
meaning of individual words and pairs of to jump around, depending on your syllabus for an experimental type course,
words. You’ll play with drop caps, typographic mood. I had trouble finding examples of projects
experimentation.” ampersands, numbers, and ligatures. that really pushed typographic sensibilities.
Each challenge in the book is different from While enforcing foundation principles,
Project-based Play: Working through the next. Most include detailed steps; some I wanted to make it fun and inspiring for
different projects, like posters, book covers, have process shots or a list of materials students. Those projects are included in the
logos, packaging, and more, you’ll explore needed, and others are a bit more elusive, book, as well as projects from typographic
branding across platforms, working with allowing you to find your own way. aficionados from a variety of avenues. All
—Jack Steinberger grids, combining type, and incorporating of the contributors have the same things in
flourishes. At the bottom of each exercise page, you common: a love of type and a constant
will be directed to similar exercises in the hunger to learn.
Alphabet Play: Using different techniques book via a callout that begins with the
and approaches, you will create full sentence “If you liked this, you’ll love this!”
typefaces from A to Z and then display
them like a pro. Additional callouts will provide tips and
terms specific to each challenge. In most
cases, image captions include the name of
the typeface(s) used.
7
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introduction
This book is for anyone who loves type. Lettering Play: Lettering involves practice GeTTinG ReADy: TyPe PRimeR
“Irevertedeasily It contains fifty experiments that will and repetition. Like most things, the more Before you begin, review the Type Primer
educate you about type through a hands- you do it the better you get. This section section. This section provides a glossary
on, creative approach. You will improve will introduce different lettering styles of terms used in the experiments and
your type skills, explore new areas, play, and methods. important information on type anatomy
and be inspired! and classifications that will help inform
Playing with Context and Application: your work.
The intention of Playing with Type is to Applying type in unexpected places
tomywild get you to think differently about provides surprisingly great results—and TAkinG PRoCess sHoTs
typography. It enforces principles of type lots of inspiration. Many of the experiments in this book are
and also pushes the form into new arenas. nondigital. In these cases, it is important to
Each spread is filled with images of Playing with Type with Friends: Use the record your process as your work unfolds.
project results and examples of the project projects on these pages and plan a type date Always take process photos while you work.
objectives applied in industry work. with friends, throw a type workshop, or It’s much more interesting to see how a
even put together a type-based exhibition! project is created from the beginning than
state,thatis The book is divided into six sections: it is to see only a photo of the final result.
HoW To Use THis Book
Letter and Wordplay: We’ll explore the At any time, you can flip through the book BACkGRoUnD
letter as image and pattern, manipulate and select an experiment. There is no The exercises in the book came from
letterforms, and visually express the order to the contents; you are encouraged different areas. While compiling the
meaning of individual words and pairs of to jump around, depending on your syllabus for an experimental type course,
words. You’ll play with drop caps, typographic mood. I had trouble finding examples of projects
experimentation.” ampersands, numbers, and ligatures. that really pushed typographic sensibilities.
Each challenge in the book is different from While enforcing foundation principles,
Project-based Play: Working through the next. Most include detailed steps; some I wanted to make it fun and inspiring for
different projects, like posters, book covers, have process shots or a list of materials students. Those projects are included in the
logos, packaging, and more, you’ll explore needed, and others are a bit more elusive, book, as well as projects from typographic
branding across platforms, working with allowing you to find your own way. aficionados from a variety of avenues. All
—Jack Steinberger grids, combining type, and incorporating of the contributors have the same things in
flourishes. At the bottom of each exercise page, you common: a love of type and a constant
will be directed to similar exercises in the hunger to learn.
Alphabet Play: Using different techniques book via a callout that begins with the
and approaches, you will create full sentence “If you liked this, you’ll love this!”
typefaces from A to Z and then display
them like a pro. Additional callouts will provide tips and
terms specific to each challenge. In most
cases, image captions include the name of
the typeface(s) used.
7
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type primer glossary of type terms
Before you start, it is important to be versed in the basics of Ascender Font Typeface
typography. This section will give you the chops to fuel your The part of lowercase letters (such as k, b, A font is the digital format that enables the A set of characters that contain common
knowledge of the subject before playtime begins. and d) that ascends above the x-height of printing of typefaces. design features.
the other lowercase letters in a face.
Glyph Typographic color
R R Baseline The specific shape, design, or representation The apparent blackness of a block of text.
major R The imaginary line on which the majority of a character. Color is a function of the relative thickness
typeface of the characters in a typeface rest. of the strokes that make up the characters
classifications kerning in a font, as well as the width, point size,
R Decorative The adjustment of horizontal space between and leading used for setting the text block.
Type that is designed and used exclusively individual characters in a line of text.
for ornamental purposes and shouldn’t be Weight
used for body text. Leading The relative darkness of the characters in
sans serif serif slab serif script The amount of space added between lines the various typefaces within a type family.
(Helvetica) (Caslon) (Rockwell) (Snell Roundhand) Display of text to make the document legible. Weight is indicated by relative terms such
Type that has been designed to look good at as thin, light, bold, extra bold, and black.
large point sizes, often for use in headlines. Letterspacing
Adjusting the average distance between Word spacing
type anatomy Face letters in a block of text. Also referred to as Adjusting the average distance between
Typographic characters have basic component parts. The easiest
One of the styles of a family of faces. For tracking. words to improve legibility or to fit a block
way to differentiate characteristics of type designs is to compare
example, the italic style of the Caslon family of text into a given amount of space.
the structure of these components. The following terms identify
is a face. Ligature
some of the components of letters.
Two or more letters tied together into a X-height
Family single letter. The height of the body of lowercase letters
ascender ascender line A collection of faces that was designed and in a font, excluding the ascenders and
intended to be used together. For example, Tracking descenders.
double-story a crossbar bowl ligature spur tittle cap line the Caslon family consists of Roman and The average space between characters in
mean line italic styles, as well as regular, semibold, a block of text. Also referred to as
and bold weights. letterspacing.
cap height
x-height
single-story a tail counter descender stress or axis
descender line baseline
8 playing with type 9
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type primer glossary of type terms
Before you start, it is important to be versed in the basics of Ascender Font Typeface
typography. This section will give you the chops to fuel your The part of lowercase letters (such as k, b, A font is the digital format that enables the A set of characters that contain common
knowledge of the subject before playtime begins. and d) that ascends above the x-height of printing of typefaces. design features.
the other lowercase letters in a face.
Glyph Typographic color
R R Baseline The specific shape, design, or representation The apparent blackness of a block of text.
major R The imaginary line on which the majority of a character. Color is a function of the relative thickness
typeface of the characters in a typeface rest. of the strokes that make up the characters
classifications kerning in a font, as well as the width, point size,
R Decorative The adjustment of horizontal space between and leading used for setting the text block.
Type that is designed and used exclusively individual characters in a line of text.
for ornamental purposes and shouldn’t be Weight
used for body text. Leading The relative darkness of the characters in
sans serif serif slab serif script The amount of space added between lines the various typefaces within a type family.
(Helvetica) (Caslon) (Rockwell) (Snell Roundhand) Display of text to make the document legible. Weight is indicated by relative terms such
Type that has been designed to look good at as thin, light, bold, extra bold, and black.
large point sizes, often for use in headlines. Letterspacing
Adjusting the average distance between Word spacing
type anatomy Face letters in a block of text. Also referred to as Adjusting the average distance between
Typographic characters have basic component parts. The easiest
One of the styles of a family of faces. For tracking. words to improve legibility or to fit a block
way to differentiate characteristics of type designs is to compare
example, the italic style of the Caslon family of text into a given amount of space.
the structure of these components. The following terms identify
is a face. Ligature
some of the components of letters.
Two or more letters tied together into a X-height
Family single letter. The height of the body of lowercase letters
ascender ascender line A collection of faces that was designed and in a font, excluding the ascenders and
intended to be used together. For example, Tracking descenders.
double-story a crossbar bowl ligature spur tittle cap line the Caslon family consists of Roman and The average space between characters in
mean line italic styles, as well as regular, semibold, a block of text. Also referred to as
and bold weights. letterspacing.
cap height
x-height
single-story a tail counter descender stress or axis
descender line baseline
8 playing with type 9
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letter and wordplay
“Asthesayinggoes,
typeisabeautiful
groupofletters,
notagroupof
beautifulletters.”
—Matthew Carter
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