WORD

ASSIGNMENT I: WORD

INTRODUCTION

Graphic designers have a keen eye for the physical form of letters. We know them intimately – their styles and personalities. Through letters we are able to persuade passersby to enter stores, join our cause, warn drivers of hazards. You are about to form a close relationship with a few letters. You will develop an intimate knowledge of their structure, discovering what it takes to make your letters. You will give the letters a personality and a life. Through this process you will develop a rich spirit of experimentation and appreciation of creative research.

APPROACH

Think of the letters of your word as pieces of clay waiting to take shape. Type, like clay, is malleable. A letter’s shape can be pulled, pushed, stretched, and cut. It can also be wrapped, disguised, stretched, compressed, mixed, distressed, decorated and inflated. You will create three original forms for your words using whichever materials or methods you like. Your letters must be made of objects, real-world stuff. You may only use the computer as a starting point to explore various letterforms by printing your letter to use as a guide to make your own with various materials.

MY WORD: HOW

I chose “how” because I am very intrigued by the ambiguity of the word. I knew if I chose a word like soft, I would be compelled to be thematic. With “how” I have more options to be creative! I went to Walmart and grabbed as many random and interesting textures as possible! I picked up some beads, balloons, glow sticks, a confetti cannon, embroidery thread, and I am planning on using my (already owned) mountain of cords to my advantage.

MATERIALS

EMBROIDERY FLOSS SEWING/EMBROIDERY NEEDLE FELT BALLOONS TAPE CONFETTI SPRAY ADHESIVE PAINT CHIPS/SWATCHES SCISSORS X-ACTO KNIFE GLOW STICKS PUZZLE PIECES COFFEE BEANS MATTE BOARD

Material(s): Balloons, Tape Type: Volume Camera Settings: ISO 800 18-55@24mm f/3.8 1/160s Photoshop Adjustments: Healing Brush, Brightness & Contrast, Levels, Exposure

Material(s): Paint Swatches, Matte Board, Glue Type: Point Camera Settings: ISO 800 18-55@18mm f/4.5 1/30s Photoshop Adjustments: Healing Brush, Brightness & Contrast, Levels, Exposure

Material(s): Embroidery Floss, Felt Type: Line Camera Settings: ISO 3200 18-55@18mm f/3.5 1/25s Photoshop Adjustments: Healing Brush, Brightness & Contrast, Levels, Exposure