Lecture 7: Designing Type

For this project, we were to create a key artwork for 'The Troublemakers Manifesto: A Design Colloquium'. After reading the MIB and listening to Mr Vinod's explanation about the title of the theme, I come into understanding it as a new beginning from a revolution, to step out of your boundaries, and to think out of the box. 

Unlike most of my classmates who decided to use images from the net, I decided to create the key artwork by creating an illustration, in which I think will save me the hassle from searching the perfect image for what I have in mind. 

Initially, I wanted to use the idea of 'Stepping out of your boundaries' as my main metaphor for the title.

Fig 1.2 Digitized sketch

However, after getting feedback from Mr Vinod, I need to create a key artwork that symbolize mainly on 'Troublemaker'. After much brainstorming, I decided to use the flower daffodil as the main symbol to interpret troublemaker. 

I chose the flower daffodil as it symbolizes new beginning, which is inline of what I interpret from the explanation of the title 'The Troublemakers Manifesto'. 

First, I wanted to combine the element of the flower with a broken handcuffs, which symbolizes freeing yourself from restrictions. 

After showing it to Mr Vinod, he suggested that both elements should be combined naturally and not forcefully. He gave me an example of a flower with it's stems slowly becoming the wick of a bomb.

Later, I come up with a composition as below:

 Mr Vinod then suggested instead of the handcuffs, make the stem changed into barbed wires that wrap around the fist, in order to show the rebellious element. 

I made two sketches from the suggestion given.

After asking several classmates on their opinion, and showing the lecturers, I proceed to work on the second idea, which is the hand holding the flower as it shows more power than the first one. 

I then proceed to add the title on to the key artwork in Adobe Illustrator. I changed the letters for 'Troublemakers' into outline and cut it using knife tool to show the flower element. I chose a serif typeface for the word 'Troublemakers' as it would stand out from other words as the others are sans serif typeface. 

Fig 1.9 Changes done in Photoshop

Fig 1.10 Final outcome of key artwork

Week 7
For the key artwork, Mr Vinod reminded that the composition should be done in such way that is organic, like a logo, and not as a poster. The design should be able to be used anywhere and on the collateral. Other than that, I should try to express to word 'Troublemakers' more.

Week 8

Mr Vinod suggested to have barbed wires instead of handcuffs around the fist to show the rebellious of 'troublemakers'. He also suggested some changes for the composition as it seems like there's too much going on, as well as to add a border around the key artwork, 

Week 7

Brainstorming for an original and unique idea for the key artwork is not an easy task. Even though I had ideas coming in, but they just seem to lack of something. Nonetheless, it's a fun task as we're finally able to use graphics in this module. 

Week 8

It's quite devastating to have your ideas to be rejected. I had a hard time brainstorming for the composition. But I'm relieved as I finally decided on what elements to work on. 

Week 7

I notice a lot of people have great ideas for the title. Other than that, most classmates uses online images to work for their key artwork. I hope I'm not the only one using my own illustration.

Week 8

I noticed that some of my classmates keep getting rejected for their ideas for the key artwork. Other than that, I noticed some of them uses similar metaphors to symbolize 'troublemakers' and somehow some of their works gives out similar vibes. 

Week 7

I found out that in order to have a unique idea for key artwork, deep understanding and research of the title needs to be done beforehand. 

Week 8

Getting feedback from various people, even people that you're not that familiar with really helps. Other than that, don't force yourself when you're stuck with ideas. Instead, walk around and see what other people do.

Key Art: Creating a Lasting Impression by Rikard at https://zevendesign.com/key-art-creating-lasting-impression/

In order to make myself to understand what the term 'key artwork' is, I went to search for an online article to clear my doubts. In this article, it introduces what is key art and what to take note of when creating one.

The Hollywood Reporter defines the term 'key art' as the singular, iconographic image that is the foundation upon which a movie's marketing campaign is built. From a graphic design perspective, key art can be extended from the realm of film to any intellectual property. 

There are some questions you can ask yourself when creating a key art:

1. Is it memorable?

2. Does it evoke an emotion?

3. Does it deliver a message?

4. Does it invite contribution?

Just My Type by Simon Garfield

Fig 2.1 Book Cover for 'Just My Type'

Chapter 4: Futura vs Verdana
  In this chapter, it is explained as to why the font war between Futura and Verdana started. It all started when IKEA decided to change the typeface for their logo. However, people don't like the switch. The switch had caused consternation not only among type geeks, but real people. And a font war suddenly appeared. 

The chapter later discusses on how the authorities of IKEA decide to change their typeface into Verdana, This font war got so much attention that The New York Times joked that it was 'perhaps the biggest controversy coming from Sweden'. 

A comparison between the two typefaces is later done with a conclusion linked to the reason of why IKEA decided to change their typeface. 

After reading this chapter, it is actually quite interesting that font war can actually be sparked by such a small change. Not just typographers, not just designers, but also people that doesn't really notice about typography itself. This chapter really is a fun read.