Advanced Typography - Task 1: Exercises
21/04/2026 - 0/0/2026 (Week 1 - Week )
Lexandra Feodora Stefano/0384629
Advance Typography/Bachelors of Design (Honours) in Creative Media/ Taylor's
University
Task 1: Exercises
JUMPLINKS
1. LECTURE
2. INSTRUCTIONS
3. TASK
4. FEEDBACK
5. REFLECTION
LECTURE
Lecture 1 : AdTypo_1_Typographic Systems
"Typographical organization is complex because the elements are dependent on
communication in order to function." The typographic system is similar to a
set of rules that architects use called shape grammars which provides a
purpose and directs the decision making in a design (Elam, 2007). It guides
learners in their exploration while their intuition develops. There are eight
major variations of the typographic system according to Elam.
Axial System : The information or elements are organised to the left or
right on a single axis. It doesn't have to be straight, it can be
bent.
Radial System : All elements or information extended from a point of
focus
Dilatational System : All the elements expand from a central point
in a circular manner. Can have multiple rings and can be placed in a hierarchy
where the most important information can be placed in the centre while the
lesser be placed on the outer, or the other way around.
Random System : Elements appear to have no specific pattern or
relationship. There is still method in the chaos when making the
design.
Grid System : A system of vertical and horizontal divisions. The
information has to be structured in the grid.
Transitional System : An informal system of layered banding or
segregating information in bands.
Modular System : A series of non-objective elements that are
constructed in as a standardised units (same size).
Bilateral System : All text is arranged symmetrically on a single
axis.
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| Fig 1.1.1 Eight Variations (19/04/2026) Week 1 |
Lecture 2 : AdTypo_2_Typographic Composition
Example of Principles of Design Composition
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| Fig 1.2.1 Examples of Design Composition (29/04/2026) Week 2 |
Typographic Systems
1. Swiss Grid (Modernist) : an enhanced version of the grid system and it was introduced to elements of excitement and engagement within the rigid structure while maintaining a certain amount play. Josef Muller Brockmann, Jan Tschichlod, Max Bill, etc were its foremost proponents.
2. Post-Modernist Era : a group of younger designers started questioning and challenging the notion of order. Chaos, randomness, and asymmetry were more explored, there was a method to the madness. Asymmetry, random, repetition, dilatational, and radial systems began to take root.
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| Fig 1.2.2 Example of Typographic Systems (29/04/2026) Week 2 |
Other Models/Systems
1. Environmental Grid : based on the exploration of an existing structure or numerous structures combined. It combines curved and straight lines and is organised around a super-structure. The system was developed around key features of an environment.
2. Form and Movement : based on the exploration of an existing grid system and was created by Mr. Vinod. It visualizes pages as frames by putting static forms on a spread as an animation to ensure visual connection between pages. The forms can represent image, text, and colour.
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| Fig 1.2.3 Example of Other Models (29/04/2026) Week 2 |
INSTRUCTIONS
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Bpjl0EHDJQFxzKhnU0mNrcqtWmtaZ39l/view?usp=sharing
TASK
Exercise 1 - Typographic Systems
For the first task, we were asked to make 8 typographic systems from the
provided headline. The posters should be created using InDesign with a
size 200mm x 200mm and we can use 1 extra colour. We were told to choose 1
headline from the 3 provided. Here is the headline that I chose.
The Design School,
Taylor's University
All Ripped Up: Punk Influence on Design
Open Public Lectures:
June 24, 2021
Lew Pik Svonn, 9AM-10AM
Ezrena Mohd., 10AM-11AM
Suzy Sulaiman, 11AM-12PM
June 25, 2021
Lim Whay Yin, 9AM-10AM
Fahmi Reza, 10AM-11AM
Manish Acharia, 11AM-12PM
Lecture Theatre 12
Research
First, I did some research on punk designs on pinterest to get a clear
knowledge on how to express punk into a design. Fig 2.1.1 shows some of my
favourite punk-related posters/designs that I found. All 3 of those
designs have a few things in common, such as the bold/saturated colour
that dominates the design and the magazine or newspaper cut-out look on
the typography and main image. They also play with different font sizes
and types for the typography. This gave me a clearer view on how the punk
design works.
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| Fig 2.1.1 Punk Design Research (21/04/2026) Week 1 |
Then, I continued my research using pinterest about the 8 typographic
systems to further my understanding of this topic and to help me for this
task. Also to expose myself to more examples of the typographic
system.
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| 2.1.2 Further Research (21/04/2026) Week 1 |
First Attempt
After researching, I immediately went to InDesign and started making the 8
systems. I decided to do it without sketching so I could get used to
InDesign again, since it has been so long since I've last used it. I
decided to do 2 designs for each system.
For the axial system, I decided to go for a simple design. I made 2 of
these, the first is straight down while the other one is slanted.
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| Fig 2.2.1 Axial System (22/04/2026) Week 1 |
I decided to experiment a bit for the radial system where the first one
only has 1 circle while the other I used 2 circles (points).
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| Fig 2.2.2 Radial System (22/04/2026) Week 1 |
I must say, I had quite the trouble making the dilatational system because
I wasn't quite familiar with the type on path tool. It took so many tries
to get the desired shape of the text but I tried my best. Out of all the
system, this one went through so many changes during the process of making
it.
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| Fig 2.2.3 Dilatational System (23/04/2026) Week 1 |
For the random system, I decided to just layer the text on top of each other
to create that randomness but it is still readable. I made 2 different types
of the random system.
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| Fig 2.2.4 Random System (23/04/2026) Week 1 |
Next is the grid system, for this one I just followed the grids and make sure
that the text is in the grids. I decided to do 2 different ones, the first one
is a 5x5 grid, while the second uses 4x4 grids. Here are the results.
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| Fig 2.2.5 Grid System (23/04/2026) Week 1 |
Same with the modular system, I decided to make 2 different types where the
first one uses 6x3 grids and 6x4 grids.
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| Fig 2.2.6 Modular System (24/04/2026) Week 1 |
For transitional, I also decided to do 2 different types, the first one is the
flowy one while the second one is the straight transition type.
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| Fig 2.2.7 Transitional System (24/04/2026) Week 1 |
For the final system (bilateral system) , I decided to do a simple design
which is on the centre. Though I still decided to make 2 designs just in
case.
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| Fig 2.2.8 Bilateral System (24/04/2026) Week 1 |
Then we had an in-class feedback session on week 2. After the feedbacks, I
fixed the ones Mr. Vinod asked to fix, such as the axial system; dilatational;
random; and grid, and here are the fixed systems.
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| Fig 2.2.9 Fixed Axial, Dilatational, Random, Grid System (28/04/2026) Week 1 |
Final Submission
After making some adjustment, I chose the rest of the systems that I made. Here are the final results.
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| Fig 2.3.1 Compiled Typographic Systems (28/04/2026) Week 2 |
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| Fig 2.3.2 Final Axial System (28/04/2026) Week 2 |
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| Fig 2.3.3 Final Radial System (28/04/2026) Week 2 |
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| Fig 2.3.4 Final Dilatational System (28/04/2026) Week 2 |
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| Fig 2.3.5 Final Random System (28/04/2026) Week 2 |
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| Fig 2.3.6 Final Grid System (28/04/2026) Week 2 |
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| Fig 2.3.7 Final Modular System (28/04/2026) Week 2 |
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| Fig 2.3.8 Final Transitional System (28/04/2026) Week 2 |
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| Fig 2.3.9 Final Bilateral System (28/04/2026) Week 2 |
Fig 2.3.10 PDF Final (28/04/2026) Week 1
Fig 2.3.11PDF Final Grids (28/04/2026) Week 1
Exercise 2 - Finding Type
For this exercise, we were asked to chose a man-made object or any object to
analyse and find the letterforms. We need to find minimal 5 letters from the
image we picked by dissecting it. I decided to go with a nature theme. Before starting, I looked up some patterns in nature, specifically plants and animals.
FEEDBACK
Week 1 :
General Feedback : Module and assignment briefing, how to
construct the portfolio, and a briefing for the first task
Week 2 :
General Feedback : In-class feedback on all of
our works and a briefing on task 2
Specific Feedback : For the axial, the second one
is too tilted, so need to fix that but the first one is okay. Need
to move some of the text to the bottom part for the first one for
the dilatational. Random is not random enough for the second one,
don't use the first one. For grid, the first one is good but the
second one remove the 2 lines. The rest, choose one.
REFLECTION
Experience
Observations
Findings
FURTHER READING
Week 1
Typographic Systems Book by Kimberly Elam
Pages 7-9 shows more examples for the 8 systems and they are explained in
a simple manner so it is very easy to understand them. It helped me get a
better view of how some systems work. Pages 10-11 explains how line
breaks, leading, and word and letter spacing can very much affect the
outcome of the design. Even subtle changes to those 3 can create a huge
difference in a design outcome. Pages 12-13 explains how circles can be
used to help a designer guide the eyes of the viewer to one specific area.
Circles and compositions plays a role when creating an eye-catching
design.
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| Fig 6.1 Examples from the book (25/04/2026) Week 1 |
Week 2
Finding Type: A Novel Typographic Exercise (Kreatif Beats)
After reading the article, I learned that
1. Finding an image that has a strong and consistent character or
repetitive in nature. Too many different elements can make the process
more time consuming.
2. Deconstructing an image can be done by outlining the identified shape
3. Identifying letterforms within the outlined areas, the shapes may not
look like the desired letter but as long as it resembles the basic shape,
it's okay
4. Extracting letterforms are be placed on a baseline and studies whole.
This step is where the core characteristics are identified and a proper
direction is determined.
5. Identify a reference typeface that suites the letterforms and act as a
reference for determining the shape or forms of the letters.
6. Refining letterforms is where the design is evolved through an
iterative process.
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