Kashfia Rahman Type Compositions
Introduction Kashfia Rahman
Typography 1 Professor Dolle 1st Semester composition concepts of composition composition with letterforms composition with letterforms and words composition with letterforms, words, text and graphic elements composition with texture and positive/negative letterforms and words and graphic element summary
As part of the Pratt Institute Graduate Communications Design program, this Typography I class was an introduction to the concrete and conceptual aspects of typography as a visual medium. The first half of the semester was a review of the technical requirements of typography. The second half was an exploration of the abstract compositional uses for typography, integrating hand skills and the computer as a way to render type. Historical and current forms of alphabetic communications were also explored, along with the relationship to modern image-based communications. This book was the final assignment, and incorporates the steps taken in the process of composition exploration, while the book format functions as an introduction to the complexities of editorial design.
Composition Composition is the organization or grouping of the different parts of a work of art so as to achieve a unified whole. Although typographic composition utilizes the same basic compositional concepts that are part of all visual arts, there are unique ways that typography relates to each of these concepts. By forming relationships between the elements, and incorporating visual concepts in abstract ways, a new and more open relationship with typography is achieved. Shown on the following pages, the exploration of typographic composition started with simple elements--three letterforms--and became a process of identifying abstract concepts as they became visualized. Additional elements were added each week, and new relationships evolved as we explored positive/negative, texture and image use.
Concepts of Composition Scale Size Balance Tension/Harmony Contrast Context Meaning Focus Form Structure Direction Rhythm Color Depth Detail Texture Drama
Letterforms
These compositions feature three letters from the alphabet, set in any of the following typefaces: Helvetica, Univers, Futura, Garamond, Times Roman, Century, Baskerville and/ or Bodoni. By using size, scale, spacial relationships, bleeds and positioning as the variables, I created six compositions using only the three letterforms. The final compositions are 8.5�x 8.5� (standard format throughout).
Letterforms and Words
Keeping the three letters from the previous assignment, I have now included three words. The words do not have to have any particular meaning or association with each other. Each letter and word is set in one of the following typefaces: Helvetica, Univers, Futura, Garamond, Times Roman, Century, and/or Bodoni. Using only the three letters and three words, I created the following compositions.
Letterforms, Words and Text with Graphic Elements
Starting with the same three letters and three words from the previous assignments, we are now adding some text and a graphic element. We are setting the text in one of the approved typefaces from before, adjusting the leading, column width, type size, etc. to achieve different results. As abstract compositions, it is not necessary that the text or other typographic elements be readable. We also included graphic elements: lines, circles, triangles or squares in any size or configuration, either solid or outlined. Screens of black could be employed, white type could be used, and structure was to be considered.
Texture Positive/Negative
Positive/negative is the relationship between figure and ground. Are there black elements on a white ground, or white elements on a black ground? Does the ground interchange from black to white? Just making a composition negative does not deal with those issues. Texture is the ability to render type in ways other than just hard edge black and white. Combining hand effects (drawing, painting), machined effects (photocopying, scanning), computer effects (PhotoShop, Illustrator) and/ or accidental effects (spills, crumples, rips) allows you to define type in unusual and unique ways-challenging you to see it differently. Typography exists in our world in many forms - this was an opportunity to explore non-traditional representations of typographic form. Starting with the same three letters, three words and text used in the last assignments, we incorporated positive/ negative and texture as major design components. Graphic elements were optional.
Image
The final addition to the compositional process was the incorporation of an image. With the same three levels of typography--letters, words and text--an image of a simple object was introduced to the mix. The image could be cropped, silhouetted, texturized or changed in other ways in the course of creating the compositions. Texture could now be a part of the image, or continue as a separate element. Positive/negative, graphic elements and structure could be incorporated as needed. The resulting compositions are still abstract, but hint at the richness that can be incorporated into even the simplest realistic project. The complex relationships between typographic elements and the concepts of scale, balance, focus, etc. are all exhibited in these engaging works that become expressive works of art and communicate on multiple levels.
Summary
I’ve learned more about type than taking four years of typography classes for my undergrad. I would say the reason being, it was taught by professors who made it seem very boring. I had a great time in this class, Tom Dolle taught me how to look at time a whole new way. I learned how to think of type as an art form and keep concepts such as balance, scale, positive/negative etc. in mind. I believe my work has improved drastically since I first started working on this project. My work would fill up an entire page but not have any scale or balance. Now I have learned the importance of negative space. I personally think the exercise we have done with letters, words, texture and image is a great exercise to create creative pieces with type for future projects. I’ve also learned to be aware of my type consideration when working with any type of project that requires some amount of typography. I have completed this class with a thorough knowledge of typography, and will adapt everything i’ve learned to future projects. I’m looking forward to taking this project a step further and applying the typography design concepts to everyday items.