Typography, 2nd Assignment, Part 2: Finished, Refined, and Digitalized

The second part of the second project is now complete. Two 5.5" x 8" rectangles that portray the heading Small Child, Big Worries in an artistic fashion have been mounted on a 15" x 20" black Illustration board. As stated before, the two drafts that were chosen by the instructor were digitalized via Illustrator. Nevertheless, the final digital versions have undergone changes in terms of appearance and typographic design.


RESULT:

Finished, refined, and digitalized version (5.5" x 8" rectangles mounted on a 15" x 20" Illustration board)

CLOSE-UP: Left side of the project

CLOSE-UP: Right side of the project

The image on the left side of the project now indicates vibration. The letters that make up the term "Worries," with the exception of the letter "W," have been doubled (O, R, I, E, and S). In other words, behind each black letter lies the same one in white. Only the "W" has been tripled; there are two white ones that were positioned behind it.  It should be noted that the vibration of each letter is chaotic – that is, the arrangement of the white letters behind the black ones are not organized and are randomized. 


Meanwhile, on the image on the right side of the project, the scale of the phrase Small Child has become way much smaller. The alligator's teeth, which actually are the arcs of the letter "R," have now been directly connected to some letters of the phrase Big Worries. For instance, B, I, and G now have an arc directly attached to them respectively (on the bottom of each letter). The letters "R" and "E"  of the word "Worries" also have arcs connected to them (on the top of each letter). Furthermore, the Os, which are the eyes of the alligator, have also been directly attached on top of the term "Big" (in between B/I and I/G). Lastly, the distance between the reptilian head and the phrase Small Child has grown wider. 


Again, as stated on the last post, this part of the project will be formally by the critiqued by instructor and the class on Monday, April 4, 2011.

Typography, 2nd Assignment, Part 2: Statement, Drafts, and the Two Chosen Drafts

STATEMENT:

In terms of social context, the heading Small Child, Big Worries most likely refers to parenting. Typically, many people perceive that parents tend to worry about their children; after all, a child needs to be fed, educated, clothed, and so forth. Overall, they are concerned about their children’s safety and wellbeing – which in turn can cause stress and anxiety. The second part of the project focuses on attempting to convey the message that as a parent, having a child (or children) means physically and mentally facing many social challenges. Parents are given the momentous responsibility to raise their children to become healthy, lively individuals despite the hardships that come along with it.

The typefaces used for this portion of the project are Gabriola and Charlemagne Std Bold. For the phrase Small Child, Gabriola was chosen to insinuate innocence, pleasantness and purity. In contrast, for the phrase Big Worries, Charlemagne Std Bold was selected to convey apprehension, seriousness and intimidation. These two typefaces are antagonistic; that is, both are the absolute opposite of the other. In a way, having both of these stylistic fonts present within a box is contradictory. For this portion of the project, the goal was to have Big Worries visually overwhelm Small Child when it comes to appearance, placement, and scale.

DRAFTS (x 10):

These are the first ten drafts for the second part of the project. There are a total of two boxes per image. Each box (approximately 5.5" x 8") contains a different and unique approach for interpreting the meaning of the heading Small Child, Big Worries.

CHOSEN DRAFTS (x 2):

These are the two drafts that have been approved by the instructor after a formal critique (they are to be digitalized and finished on Illustrator). When the digital versions are done, they are to be mounted on a 15" x 20" black Illustration Board, similar to the first part of the second project.

Another formal critique will ensue in class on Monday, April 4, 2011. This part of the project must  be fully finished by then.

Identify that Letter! Part 6: Branded Utilities

This is a picture of a red crab cracker tool that can be found at the infamous utility store Williams-Sonoma. Apparently, it visually takes the shape of an uppercased letter “A.” Two adjacent lines converging at a certain point along with a horizontal one conjoining them make such a letter. However, in order for this tool to be distinguished as the first capital letter of the English Alphabet, its handles must be closed up and joined together. Otherwise, if the handles were expanded and separated in order to rupture the shell of a crustacean, the tool will no longer be identifiable as a slender capital “A.”

This is another picture of a utility that can be found and sold at Williams-Sonoma. It is a snapshot of a round frying pan with its metallic silver lid; the object as a whole is shaped like a capital letter “Q.” Technically, a circle and a single line protruding off its bottom right side make an uppercased letter “Q.” The circular frying pan and its silver handle are completely relatable to this concept.  Then again, the handle must be positioned at the bottom right corner of the picture or else the object will cease to be recognized as the stated letter. Without its silver handle, the object will be shaped like the letter “O” instead.

This is a hook (or hangar) that most likely functions to hang up garments. There are many of these hooks that can be found in the store Restoration Hardware. The curved metallic object definitely resembles a capital letter “J.” It only appears to be a letter “J” because of the angle of the snapshot – in actuality, like the rest of its counterparts, the hook was situated in an inclined position. Basically, the letter “J” is simply a long, vertical column with one bent endpoint that projects towards the bottom left side. This metallic hook/hangar was built the same way despite its column having a curved top that protrudes towards the right side.

This is a snapshot of a decorative backrest of a chair that was displayed at the store Pier 1 imports. Several curly, metallic frames make up this backrest. Since each swirly, columnar frame overlaps another one, several lowercased letter Fs can be seen in the picture.  A lowercased letter “F” is a vertical column with one curved endpoint at its peak; furthermore, there is a short horizontal bar that is placed beneath this curved endpoint. The series of overlaps create the illusion that the frames have horizontal bars (for each overlap a curved endpoint becomes a horizontal bar).     

Typography, 2nd Assignment: Chosen drafts and Final Results (Finished/Refined/Digitalized)

Two drafts have been chosen and were to be finished on Illustrator:

Chosen Drafts

However, these drafts have been altered on their digital versions. For the first draft that is situated on top of the picture, all the letters except W (which was enlarged) have been shrunk down and overall, the word "Worries" became smaller. For the second draft at the bottom, it that has drastically changed in terms of appearance, placement, color, and size. The O's have been simplified; there are no longer black and white O's overlapping each other. Instead, there is one large O placed in the middle of the term while there are other small, white O's (of various sizes) surrounding it.

RESULT:

Finished, refined, and digitalized version (6" x 4" rectangles mounted on a 15" x 20" Illustration board)

CLOSE-UP: Left side of project.

CLOSE-UP: Right side of project.

First phase of the 2nd project is complete and currently awaiting formal (in-class) critique on Wednesday (March 23, 2011).

Typography, 2nd Assignment Drafts

These are the first 12 drafts for the 2nd Assignment. For each 6" x 4"  horizontal box, the objective was to illustrate the meaning/definition of the word "Worries" in an artistic and expressive manner. As mentioned on an earlier post (on March 14, 2011), the the term, according to Dictionary.com, has a total of 10 different meanings/definitions. Similar to the 1st Assignment, the principal Elements of Design was applied to these drafts.

2 out of these 12 drafts will be chosen and will move on to the second step of the project (that is, the instructor will decide the drafts that are allowed to move on to the next stage). 

Identify that Letter! Part 5: A Stroller Window Shopping

This object was on display in the Restoration Hardware furniture store (during the display of its Spring Collection). At first glance, it appears to be a typical pair of eyeglasses; however, it is actually a chunk of metal that has been shaped into the form of pseudo-spectacles. It is situated on a metallic plate that is supported by a pole and a pedestal. If people were to look at this object vertically rather than horizontally, they may realize that it is an uppercased letter “B” (actually, this concept also applies for real pairs of glasses/sunglasses as well). Since this object has a long, curved vertical column and two large, hollow “lenses,” it can be considered as a capital “B.”

Throughout the Peninsula Center, there are many green benches for visitors to seat and rest on. Some of these benches have fanciful supporting legs (also known as decorative grille works) that resemble an uppercased letter “X.” What is fascinating about the shape of these X-shaped legs is that they are composed of two semicircular parts that are simply linked together – basically, it is the notion of splitting a complete circle in half and rearranging/repositioning the halves to form the shape of a curvilinear “X.” Furthermore, the tiny, adorable foot-like pedestals somehow express jolliness and merriness.

Currently, the store Pier 1 imports sell these glasses adorned with colored stripe patterns (red, blue, and so forth). From a certain viewpoint (as shown in the picture), the red stripe on this glass appears to be shaped like a slanted lowercased letter “Z.” Two horizontal lines and a reclining one in between them make the letter “Z.” Indeed, it is interesting to see how a cylindrical and spiraled stripe can easily change shape based on an individual’s standpoint/position. Moreover, the position of this glass can also alter the shape of its reddish stripe; if ever it is rotated, the stripe cannot be clearly perceived as a “Z” because its image, in a sense, has been reflected.

This is a picture of certain parts of a miniature bike model that was also put on display in Pier 1 imports. More specifically, it is the picture of its frontal stem and handlebars. If these parts are viewed together as a whole from their aerial view, they clearly form the capital letter “E.” A single vertical column and a total of three horizontal lines branching off its body (towards the right side) create an uppercased letter “E.” Furthermore, the thick, wooden handlebars are slightly difficult to see and are quite indistinguishable due to the bike model being placed on top of a polished wooden table. Its stem, on the other hand, can clearly be seen due to its shiny and silvery texture.      

Typography, 2nd Assignment: The Definition of the Term "Worry"

The term "worries" was chosen for the 2nd project; surprisingly, Dictionary.com has a total of 10 definitions for the word. The Elements of Design will be applied on this word (on 10 6" x 4" boxes) for the draft(s).

Worry (According to Dictionary.com)

As a verb:

1. To torment oneself with or suffer from disturbing thoughts; fret.

2. To move with effort.

As a verb, used with an object:

3. To torment with cares, anxieties, etc.; trouble; plague.

4. To seize, especially, by the throat, with the teeth and shake or mangle, as one animal does another.

5. To harass by repeated biting, snapping, etc.

As a noun:

6. A worried condition or feeling; uneasiness or anxiety.

7. A cause of uneasiness or anxiety; trouble.

8. Act of worrying.

9. Fox Hunting: the action of the hounds in tearing to pieces the carcass of a fox.

As a verb phrase:

10: Worry along/through (Informal). To progress or succeed by constant effort, despite difficulty.

Source: dictionary.reference.com/browse/worries 

Identify that Letter! Part 4: Of Wires, Chains, Chopsticks...and Danishes?!

In some cases, flexible materials such as wires, ropes, chains, or the like can be used to form many different kinds of shapes: letters, numbers, and/or symbols. This is a picture of a thin, white link cable for an iPod™ (or any other portable gadget manufactured by Apple) that can be connected to any computer with a USB plug. As one can see, it has been deliberately molded into the shape of a capital letter “B.” The curvilinear vertical column and the two arched spaces are what allow the wire to take shape of such a seemingly undetectable letter (that is, in terms of finding it in one’s environment).

Again, this is another picture of an object that has been intentionally formed into a shape of a specific letter. In this case, it is a metallic chain of a silver Swiss Army™ pocket watch; it has been molded into the shape of a lowercased letter “Z.” The chain traces a noticeable zigzag course – it is because of this distinct feature that it is distinguishable as the letter “Z.” The two vertical lines and the single, slanted and columnar line in between them make up the roundabout letter. Indeed, it is interesting to see how a chain can visually transform into something else whenever it comes bending and curving its flexible linear structure.

This is a simple, yet effective demonstration of combining two objects to form a letter. It is a picture of a pair of chopsticks intersecting one another atop a dining table. The crossing of these thin, wooden sticks resulted in the formation of an uppercased letter “X.” After all, in most cases, two lines crisscrossing each other at a certain point on a plane can automatically be identified as an “X.”  Furthermore, since the dining table has a dark, smooth and reflective texture, both of the chopsticks appear to be illuminated and noticeable because they are brighter in terms of color.

These days, Starbucks cafes sell these Cheese Danishes for $1.95 each – however, despite the exhibition of such a tempting offer that many people may find difficult to resist, the point of interest lies in the center of these delightful pastries. If people were to observe the middle of these Danishes much more closely and carefully, they may realize that the crusted openings are shaped like a lowercased letter “T.” Moreover, a vertical column and a horizontal line nearly situated at its top can automatically register as a lowercased “T” to many people the moment they lay their eyes on it.           

Typography, Assignment 1: Finished, Refined and Digitalized

Typography, Assignment 1, completed.

Illustration Board #1

From left to right: Shape (1st column), Line (2nd column) and Direction (3rd column)

Illustration Board #2

From left to right: Size (1st column), Texture (2nd column) and Color/Value (3rd column)

All Elements of Design have been finished on Illustrator and were mounted on 15" x 20" 2 black illustration boards (a total of 6 per board). A total of 12 Elements are being shown, 2 per each one.

Typography, Assignment 1: The Final 12

These are the last 12 drafts that have been approved by the instructor. The final and official project will be digitally finished on Illustrator.

[1st set of 4] From left to right: Shape (1st column) and Line (2nd column) 

[2nd set of 4] From left to right: Direction (1st column) and Size (2nd column)

NOTE: The small "N" for Size will be shrunk down further in the final/official project. 

[3rd set of 4] From left to right: Texture (1st column) and Color/Value (2nd column)

NOTE: The star/flower pattern for Texture will be larger in the final/official project.

The first assignment will be finished by Wednesday (by Illustrator on 2 15" x 20" black illustration boards. All Elements must be neatly cut and properly/evenly placed on board). 

TED Conference 2011 Speaker: Roboticist Dennis Hong

Dennis Hong, the director and founder of RoMeLa (a Virginia Tech robotics lab), talked about robotics at the TED Conference (2011) and unveiled the seven new innovative automatons that he and his group of students have built and developed over these past few years. Incredibly, there were robots that took shape of insects, reptiles, vehicle parts, cellular organisms, and humans (including specific human body parts such as the hand). Most of the robotic machines were designed to withstand and prevail over the obstacles that earthly terrains usually have to offer – cliffs, gaps, ditches, and so forth. On the other hand, some were invented to perform human tasks and activities, such as holding objects, typing on a keyboard, and even playing soccer! Better yet, there were some robots that were constructed to improve (or to be used as) modern-day tools.  Hong and his team produced robots that can greatly benefit society by making everyday tasks easier to perform. Their accomplishments epitomize groundbreaking technological breakthroughs in our era. Such achievements reflect on how much technology has evolved throughout world history. Hong, his team and scientists/engineers alike are basically setting up a foundation to the dream of creating a perfect android (a human robot). Certainly, humanity will move forward with the aid of cybernetic technology.   

According to his brief biography displayed on the TED Website, Dennis Hong was an expert on unifying robotics with biochemistry (hence, the creation of the automatons listed on the first paragraph). His contributions to the American society have led him to become one of NASA’s “Summer Faculty Fellows” in 2005. Moreover, the National Science Foundation granted him the CAREER reward in 2007 and 2009. Ultimately, the magazine Popular Science has titled him as one of its “Brilliant 10.” In the video of his presentation during the Conference (2011), his motto was “Work smart, then work hard.” Nevertheless, he emphasized that most important thing when doing something was to “have fun.” He also stressed that education is valuable and that learning is very important when it comes to living life.

Sources:

1. Biography: http://www.ted.com/speakers/dennis_hong.html
2. Video: http://www.ted.com/talks/dennis_hong_my_seven_species_of_robot.html

Identify that Letter! Part 3: Snowy Yosemite and South Coast Botanic Garden

This picture was taken from Yosemite during winter. As one can see, it is a photo of a crest of a massive, leafless tree that has fallen down due to heavy snowfall. The solitary, long and bent branch protruding from one of its trunks gives the impression that it the tree is a giant lowercased letter “R.” Its slanted, horizontal position somehow expresses lethargy and/or leisure. Its dark and woody texture (and the fact that it is leafless)  allows it to stand out from the snowy background filled with other tall leafy trees.

This is another picture that was taken from Yosemite during winter season. It is a complete snapshot of a colossal and leafless tree, from top to bottom. Again, this is another example of an object that takes form of two different letters – it can either be seen as a capital “I” or “Y.” With the two thick vertical protuberances that are projecting on the top of the tree’s trunk, it can be visualized as a “Y.” However, if they are visually overlooked, it can be seen as an “I” since the trunk is very tall and thick.

This picture was taken from the South Coast Botanic Garden (along Crenshaw Boulevard). It is a group of metallic decorative patterns (corbels). It is apparent that the letter “S” that can be seen in this assemblage – both uppercased and lowercased. Moreover, the letter comes in two different sizes.  The two vertical corbels, from left to right, can be considered big and small (the smaller one, which is upside-down, is the lowercased letter). The horizontal corbel located near the top can be perceived as another small sized letter.

This is another picture that was derived from the South Coast Botanic Garden. It is a photograph of a tip or “hand” of a sundial. It can be visualized as an lowercased letter “P.” The base of the hummingbird symbol (its tail) can be thought of as the vertical extension of the letter. Furthermore, the curvilinear portion encircling the avian emblem is the arc. One important thing to point out is that the hummingbird is actually the logotype for the South Coast Botanic Garden area.