OUGD403 alphabet soup: visual thinking

ALPHABET SOUP...

DISSECT.

c.1600. From the Latin 'Dissecare' - "To cut asunder, cut up".

Dis = Asunder      Secare = to Cut.

Dissection (also called anatomization) is usually the process of disassembling and observing something to determine its internal structure and as an aid to discerning the functions and relationships of its components.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dissection

dis·sect/diˈsekt/

although a, somewhat, gruesome image, the above picture was important for me to 

understand the medical aspect of dissection. the dissection of a body to observe and

analyse its structural makeup and the ways in which a body works are important in giving

us an understanding of the living anatomy. in this way, i wanted to investigate and, hence,

understand the structural anatomy of typography and letterforms.

Verb:

Methodically cut up (a body, part, or plant) in order to study its internal parts. Analyze (something) in minute detail. such tools are commonplace in a surgery room and are appropriate because of their fine and exact cutting abilities. surgeons are able to split single strands of flesh without danger of overcompensating due to blunt blades. this is important because the precision of a cut is everything in dissection.

Dissection can and does only exist/occur because of a subject having 'parts' or

separable sections of its structure or make-up. 

In the same respect, letters and typography is heavily

concerned with the 'parts' that make up a letterform.

http://qc_type1.qwriting.org/files/2010/09/Letterform-Anatomy.jpg

Each letter is made up of parts, much like the human body. The

structure of letters is somewhat like that of scaffolding; the main

body (poles and supports) is held together by smaller parts

 (vices and clamps). With a letter the Stems and Spines

are held together by Arcs, Shoulders and Crossbars. 

http://burkeandhare.com/Images/headdissection.jpg

Having looked at some blueprints/directional maps of common dissections

I thought about applying this theme to a letter. Make it a 'medical' process.

ANDREAS SCHEIGER - DISSECTED TYPOGRAPHY

http://streetanatomy.com/2011/03/07/typographical-dissections-by-andreas-scheiger/

Scheiger's letterforms are a great example of how letters can be dissected
and inspected. I think the attention to detail is incredible and his consideration

of form and precision is in depth. he has managed to truly make typography a
medical process. 

http://papress.com/thinkingwithtype/teachers/type_lecture/lecture_images/Kelly_serifs.gif

i decided that serif fonts are most representative of a bodily form.
they maintain the main structure of a letter (the stems and strokes) but then,
because of the serifs, mimic a fuller human body. the serifs are like the
extremities of each letterform and in this way are appropriate.

i thought the most interesting font i came across was MONGOLIAN BALTI.
i really like the differences in weights in terms of stems and crossbars
and how the serifs have a curved join to the main letter. that aspect,
 i think, will be a real strong point in terms what i can physically dissect.

 

http://www.eaglefonts.com/fp/uppercase.php?font=../data/media/102/Mongolian_Baiti.ttf&color=c003a5&bgcolor=FFFFFF

my decision to use this typeface was then transferred to my practice.
i performed the 'dissection on each letter and this can be seen on my
design practice blog. 

OUGD401 Context Of Practice 1. Study Task 2. A Critical Analysis Of The LCA 2012/13 Prospectus...

As a university prospectus aimed at promoting the college to potential students and their parents/guardians, the content presents an, almost, mocking overview of the professionalism and engagement with students offered. Page 30’s insight into what the college, and Leeds, has to offer boasts more about the sporting activities than the creative side. The wording; ‘Lets get/Lets go…’ is so patronising and ‘down with the kids’ one may expect it to be a sort of local council’s youth outreach programme. Instead, I think the wording should be more professional, clearer and in line with the aura of the college.   

Although an, arguably, uncomplicated and comfortable typeface to use, I really like the simplicity of the sans serif font. It does not attempt to divert attention from the content (despite the content being poor in itself). Instead it offers a clear and minimalist illustration of the words themselves. As an art college, it is important to present an understanding of typography and this is achieved in through this typeface. The composition, however, resembles that of a pre-GCSE PowerPoint; overcrowded and just thrown at each page. As an Art College prospectus I feel more focus should be aimed at the imagery, with the written word being there to assist and explain the visual in the most effective and efficient manor.

One would expect the front cover to be of upmost importance, as it is the initial impression people get. The choice of a matt dark blue, in contrast with the glossy dark red of the text, is a terrible display of an understanding of colour combinations. The two do not make it easy to read the front cover, except in a certain light, and are not particularly attractive or inviting. Once again the composition is off, with certain letters being out of place or skewed, the central alignment of the text not really being central, and the kerning of words being unequal. I would, instead, suggest the use of two nicely contrasting colours (or even shades) that are not overly aggressive or bold. A left or right hand alignment might look more organised and less typical of such a publication.

 I feel that some of the imagery is quite well considered and gives an aesthetically interesting picture of the colleges practices. Others, conversely, mimic that of generic photo stock images that are neither personal nor inviting. A lot of the photographic evidence of the collage’s produce doesn’t make sense. It appears as though photos have been taken of any random thing within the building and included as filler. This is neither of higher education standard nor is it representational of the college. The photos should be there to provide a insight into what the place looks like, the facilities it has to offer and the work generated by students.

I think the use of a white background for the majority of pages is bland but fitting. It is clean and provides a non-distracting plate for the content to go on. The use of a very light and transparent pastel colour may give the book more flavour, but there is a real danger of over including colour where, possibly, unnecessary. There is, however, the use of black to colour pages with quotes from the faculty. While this may be a discernible format, the appearance of such pages is sporadic and un-formatted. Why have a few pages black towards the back of the book? It would be obvious what these pages were without the colouration. The whole organisation of topics is quite confusing and nonsensical. A better method may be to leave all pages white and allocate colours to each section, possibly appearing to the right of each page, and with reference to the contents section. This would enable viewers to find a section they were interested in straight away, instead of flicking through half the book.