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.