has type become too digital?
In this project, I will be exploring typography in two environments, digital and hand-drawn. This project will be looking at which one has more usage and which is more important to the design industry. Starting with vintage type and naturally hand-drawn type, which prospects did this have to the world and what did it encourage designers to do afterwards. Then on to digital. How has digital typography impacted todays graphic design? This will be the main question for this part of the project and to find this out, many aspects of todays design industry must be looked at.
CONTENT RESEARCH 1-3 4-5 6-7 8-9 10-13 14-17 18-24 25-27 28-30 31-32 33-34 35-38 39-41 42-45 48-50 51-55 56-58 59 60-61
Vernacular Typography The Type Heritage Project Survey New York City Transit Authority Graphics Standards Manual Glen Weisgerber Bacteria Typography Some Personal Hand-Drawn Typographic Pieces The Typographic Experiment Characters Just My Type Designers Take A Superior View Of Vernacular Typography Hand-Drawn Work Found On Social Media Digitally Created Typography Work Homeless Typography Wayshowing Fonts Typography Contests Final Idea’s Project Proposal
visuals 62-68 69-79 80-89 90-99
Logo Certificates App Website
FInal 101-104 105-106 107-121 122-127 128-135 136-137 138-148 149-161 162-163 164-169 170-194 195-201 202-209 210-211 212-225
Typography Contests Rules & Regulations Creating a Website Testing The Website Hand To Type The Difference Branding Outlines/ Logo Social Networking Advert Contest Open Advertisement/ Entries Certificates Personal Hand-Lettering Last Advertising Contest Closed Entries
research
VErnacular typography
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Vernacular typography was a good place for me to start my research and it show hand-made and hard-drawn typography being used for its purpose. These vintage designs primarily used to advertise a franchise or local shop made very shop and company unique. As they are hand drawn, that means there will not be an exact copy of each letter anywhere else. With digital type, if two company use the same font, their designs become very similar and the characters designs and proportions stay exactly the same.
These designs have become very popular recently as many more people are becoming interested in ‘vintage’ typography and designs. These are the most famous medias of these designs as they are big, bright and bold to the audience, and some can ever been seen from a great distance.
These ranged from all sizes. From tiny hand-painted lettering on a shop front, to massive signs made for company and factories for thousand of people to see everyday. Some even added to the attention grabbing aspect and had moving parts and lights on the signs, this just made them more eye catching.
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The type heritage project
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Quote
Reference
Thoughts
“In the August 1895 edition of The Inland Printer, R. Coupland Harding wrote: William Morris has predicted that typography will cease to exist during the next century, and he may be right in the forecast. I see it threatened by the camera, the etching fluid, and by the (at present) harmless and inoffensive ‘typewriter,’ in the keyboard of which lies the germ of something much greater in the future.” http://typeheritage.com
This quote shows that people, even over a hundred years ago, saw that typography was changing and was believed to become extinct and turn fully digital. The writer even states that the ‘keyboard’ was the start to something bad within the design industry, as this was the start to digitising type and would lead on to mostly digital type, which is the result today.
“In the process of planning these volumes, a chicken ‘n’ egg dilemma emerged: Dozens of 19th- and early-20th century display types that “belong in” them have not been digitally archived for posterity. Computer-worthy revival of these wood and metal typefaces is more urgent each year as letterpress resources become concentrated in museums or regional workshops sponsored by historical societies.” http://typeheritage.com
Nearly all of the traditional type processes are being forgotten and becoming more interesting to view in museums, rather than using them to create designs. It’s all about computers these days and most starting typographers do not even know how type has evolved to the point of how you yourself use type and develop it. This is a lost tradition but still could be very useful, me personally, I used hand written techniques before even going close to a computer and start digital work. Starting of by hand for me, makes each design I do unique from the previous one, even if I use similar designs.
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After doing some research, I decided to do a simple survey with people around the campus. I came up with these three short questions to ask students and see what answered I get.
I decided to do it around the campus as there are many design students, which makes the survey more reliable are it is based on a similar subject that most are studying art my university.
Questions: What do you prefer, Computer or hand drawn designs? Do you know a traditional typography process? Who invented the first print process?
I asked 30 people these questions to see what the outcome of the questions are and to see how people see typography in the current era.
Results: Q1. Computer 67% Hand-Drawn 33% Q2. Yes 25% No 75% Q3. I Know 35% Not Sure 65%
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Glen Weisgerber is an expert typographer and pin-striper. He worked mostly in the 70s and 80s and now spends his time doing courses and YouTube videos to teach who ever is interested in learning how to do different styles of type and designs. He was well know in the car industry and he was on of the most skilled at painted on cars and giving them unique designs. AS this was done in the 80s and 70s, it was all hand painted and none of his designs were printed. I found his videos while researching YouTube channels for typographers and his work caught my attention instantly.
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New York City Transit Authority Graphics Standards Manual
The NYCTA Graphics Manual was designed by Massimo Vignelli in the 70’s. This is a manual that covers all the regulations that consist in New York’s transport system and is still used today as a guideline as to how to design a new sign in New York. This covers mostly typography, it shows which typeface should be sued, which sizes are suitable for which design and also icons that contain typography and how that are meant to be placed and incorporated on a sign. The manual was found in a locker under a pile of gym clothes and now is being used by every designer that works with New York’s transport system and must be followed very strictly. Massimo was also the one who decided for the train system to be called ‘Metro’ and also designed the New York train map.
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bacteria typography
This online article was created by Jelte van Abbema and the who,e project was typography created primarily of bacteria. This was used on many surfaces and was created by a form of bacteria multiplying and then dying to shape a simple type form. This project won at the Dutch Design Awards and Jelte was gifted â‚Ź10,000 for this project. This was created as she agreed that typography was primarily printed and she wanted to go for a more natural way of creating type. She then approached her fascination for growth. This grabbed my attention as it is a way of creating typography that I have never personally seen before and also floats away from digital and printed type.
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some personal Hand-drawn typographic pieces
These are some typographic pieces hand drawn by myself personally. These consist of random words and each one is in a different style. I done some in single word designs or even some as emblems.
This helped me understand what designers go through to create a typographic piece like these and also showed me the process they go through. I am planning to do many more like these and even some digital pieces to get a good understanding from each perspective.
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sketches:
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from sketch to digital
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some personal Hand-drawn typographic pieces
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These are some typographic pieces hand drawn by myself personally. These consist of random words and each one is in a different style. I done some in single word designs or even some as emblems.
This helped me understand what designers go through to create a typographic piece like these and also showed me the process they go through. I am planning to do many more like these and even some digital pieces to get a good understanding from each perspective.
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The Typographic Experiment: Radical Innovation In Contemporary Type Design by Teal Triggs
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Quote
Reference
Thoughts
“Experimental typography should challenge convention in some way. Perhaps it challenges the convention that there is a predetermined number of units in which to arrange language.”
Teal Triggs (2003). The Typographic Experiment: Radical Innovation In Contemporary Type Design. London: Thames & Hudson. 71.
Challenging many different ways of producing typography can help you with understand the different styles within type and understand the message aspect more.
“Every type job is an experiment” Teal Triggs (2003). The Typographic Experiment: Radical Innovation In Contemporary Type Design. London: Thames & Hudson. 33.
Every type job counts as an experiment as every time a typographic design is being produced, a different skill is created. Every different word you create in one style is a lesson, as every word should be slightly tampered with to create a visually proportioned design.
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“Characters are the systemised form of “language”, which is the greatest technology Teal Triggs (2003). The Typographic Experiment: invented be human beings.” Radical Innovation In Contemporary Type Design. London: Tells you how important and impacting language actually is. This gives an insight on just how important designers actually believe typography and language is to the public.
Thames & Hudson. 45.
“When the system arrives at a new patter, it starts a new cycle with the potential for future departure. We see this repeating within the continuum of typographic evolution.”
Teal Triggs (2003). The Typographic Experiment: Radical Innovation In Contemporary Type Design. London: Thames & Hudson. 75.
When a new style is created or a new typeface, that could inspire another designer and this can carry on to type forever evolving.
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Characters by stephen banham
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Quote
Reference
Thoughts
“Typographic storytelling links and interweaves stories of social change, politics and economics.”
Stephen Banham (2011). Characters. Melbourne: Thames & Hudson Australia. 14.
This tells the audience that type is not about just the design, it also looks at current situations and thoughts about the world through design and messaging.
“The ‘cultural mainstreaming’ of typography has arrived. People now feel comfortable discussing typefaces in everyday conversation.”
Stephen Banham (2011). Characters. Melbourne: Thames & Hudson Australia. 16.
Typography has become a big part in everyday social life and it is being discussed more and more and people are starting to understand the relevance behind typography.
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“Typography has more in common with architecture than many architects would care to admit. It is not surprising that there is a latent mutual attraction between typography and architectural form: both typographers and architects talk about grids and stratification, proportion and visible stability, and about how to organise light and dark.”
Stephen Banham (2011). Characters. Melbourne: Thames & Hudson Australia. 19.
Typography has been discovered as an important part of another skill trade. Architects understand that that typography plays an important part within their designs and could increase the value and popularity of their designs. Similar techniques are used to master the two, such as knowing spacing and environment.
“Although the vast majority of ‘signage spectaculars’ were lost during a period when such structures were considered ‘visual pollution’ and a symbol of an ugly ‘featurism’, the public appreciation of it’s heritage and cultural significance has since become more sophisticated.” Stephen Banham (2011). Characters. Melbourne: Thames
& Hudson Australia. 24.
In the past, typography that was seen as ‘ugly’ and ‘pollution’ to the public are now considered great art works and visually amazing. These designs are a big part of heritage within typography and now designers are trying to implement similar styles into their designs.
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Just my type by simon garfield
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Quote
Reference
Thoughts
“When designing a ‘Do Not Enter’ sign, the use of a heavy-stroked, attentioncommanding font such as Impact or Arial Black is appropriate. Typesetting such a message in Comic Sans would be ludicrous… analogous to showing up for a black tie event in a clown costume.” Simon Garfield (2012). Just My Type. USA: Gotham. 17. The typeface can express the message more than the words itself. Talking about using a bold typeface for an important message grabs the audiences attention immediately and before reading the words, they understand that this will be important for the reader.
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Designers take a superior view of vernacular typography. Is it time to come down from on high? by Ellen Lupton
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Quote
Reference
Thoughts
“The current attraction to vernacular styles is fuelled by a search for the spontaneous voices of a romanticised past (the roaring 1920s, the flamboyant 1950s)”
Ellen Lupton. (1992). Designers take a superior view of vernacular typography. Is it time to come down from on high?. Available: http://www.eyemagazine.com/feature/ article/high-and-low-a-strange-case-of-us-and-them. Last accessed 13th Nov 2014.
Designers constantly look for inspiration from the past by looking at vernacular typography and how it attracted the public. This inspiration helps shape the future of Graphic design and typography.
“Because designers are taught to focus on visual style over social function, we often overlook the relation of design to institution of power.”
Ellen Lupton. (1992). Designers take a superior view of vernacular typography. Is it time to come down from on high?. Available: http://www.eyemagazine.com/feature/ article/high-and-low-a-strange-case-of-us-and-them. Last accessed 13th Nov 2014.
When working with typography you should never focus on just the design aspect. You should also look at the impact that design has to the public as this is your target audience that you are trying to impact and attract.
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Hand-drawn work found on social media After looking around on social media such as Facebook and Instagram, I was able to find many typography designers who work with both digital and hand-drawn medias. Here I am mainly focusing on hand-drawn styles to see the different styles used and also to influence me with my own work. There are created from all different artists, some using different colours and some just sticking to black pencil and paper. These to me are very interesting and grabbed my attention instantly, also the authenticity of these are important for the viewer as these mean more for the artist and also can incorporate a unique style matching the message itself.
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digitally created typography work I then started looking at digitally created typographic pieces. These have a unique style to them, initially more colours are used and more images with the work to implement the typography. This is a big comparison to hand-drawn work and both must be looked at to get a perfect understanding of both medias. These example below are great with each one being very different from another. The images that some include work very well with the message and shadows are used very well to create a 3D look to the image.
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homeless typography
Kenji Nakayama and Christopher Hope began their project to help the homeless in 2012 with their idea to redesign hopeless signs. They are based in Massachusetts and they swap the homeless communities signs with beautifully crafted typographic boards. This drew in more attention from the public and also made the local are more attractive as the original signs are seen as bland and creatively awful.
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wayshowing by Per mollerup
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Quote
Reference
Thoughts
“Letters, characters, sentences, and larger texts on signs should be easily legible. Their purpose is to be seen and read. Legibility is more important than fashion. This applies to typography on signs even more than it does to typography in books and other printed matter. The sign reader sometimes has only one bullet in the gun, one chance to read a sign. A driver on the freeway cannot stop or drive backwards. To study as sign, he may not even be able to reduce speed.” For signs, the typography is the Per Mollerup (2005). most crucial part of how it works. Wayshowing. Zürich: Lars There is one one chance to see Müller Publishers. 129. the sign and that is an average of less than a second. This means the typeface has to be clear, crisp and work with the environment. If this is missed most people (mainly drivers) will not have another chance to view the sign and the message its expressing which means it has to be clear enough to be viewed once very rapidly, but give the audience a clear understanding of the message.
“The more critical the circumstances under which a sign must be read, the more carefully the sign must be designed.”
Per Mollerup (2005). Wayshowing. Zürich: Lars Müller Publishers. 129.
Each sign must be designed individually to incorporate the message within it’s surroundings. This can mean changing the kerning of the type or even changing the typeface itself.
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“For maximum legibility, letter spacing - the horizontal distance between letters - and word spacing - the horizontal distance between words - should be normal on printed matter normal or slightly larger than on printed matter. When possible, letter spacing should be refined by kerning, that alters the space between selected pairs of letters to make the text appear more balanced.”
Per Mollerup (2005). Wayshowing. Zürich: Lars Müller Publishers. 133.
Spacing plays an important part on signage and the legibility to the viewers. This can make the different between a driver being able to read the message or not.
“First, letters may be placed horizontally under each other. As a rule, this should only be done with all caps and preferably only with short words such as BAR and HOTEL. “ Per Mollerup (2005). Wayshowing. Zürich: Lars Müller Publishers. 133.
There are many rules to typography and with each styles and placing, comes with new rules.
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Fonts
I have looked into fonts to get another side of digital input within typography. Fonts play a big part in todays typography as they are being used for easy typing and designs. Fonts work on anything from a written document to a poster design. There are millions of fonts out there with every style being implemented so you’re never short of choice. Many charge for the font to be used or some nice designers even put them out for free for anyone to use anywhere they want. I have created some fonts in the past with people always emailing me to use them for different purposes, this shows me that one style of design can work with so many different styles and express different messages.
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These are some fonts that I created in the past using FontForge and FontLab
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These are some examples of other fonts that are popular with many designers. Most of these fonts come in the standard computer package for everyone to use for free. These are very good fonts but not very stylish.
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typography contests
I decided to look into typography contests to see what sort of designs people are encouraging designers to make. All the typography contests that I could find insist of digitally created designs, none of which had anything to do with hand drawing or even asking for sketches. This to me was seen as a big deal and decided to look into how this can be changed and direct designers to start creating more traditional hand-drawn typography pieces. These are some of the contests I looked at: Communication Arts Typography Contest Hiii Typography Design Competition 2014 Typography Day 2015 Poster Competition Typoday Competition
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final ideas Final ideas:
Design contest for strictly hand-drawn typography pieces A design contest would be good as it will be only hand drawn typographic pieces and hopefully encourage many typographers to start creating hand drawn papers. There will be rules to be made, certificates, advertisement, logo, posters, websites, and maybe even business cards This can involve typography and branding within the same project. Include a small prize and certificates handed to winner and runner ups.
Creating a font which incorporates hand-drawn style This would mix both digital and traditional typography. Would be useful to many people and designers. Would be available for download.
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project proposal Starting my final major project i decided to go with the area I have the most experience in which is typography. This would also include both digital media and printed media. Within this project, I would consider digital and hand crafted typography and which benefits they both give to the communities. My main goal from this is to look at both sides of typography and which benefits can from from each. I will also look into which is more common now and hopefully draw people on the opposite side to explore typography in more depth. There are many ways this could be done which gives me a wider range of final ideas to evaluate. This could also be got very creatively and also make me interact with the public to get their thoughts and feelings and my project and what the purpose of it is. This experimentation would make people look at typography from a wider range. They could practice typography with different materials and techniques. This would need to be executed in an exciting way to get the attention from an audience and also influence the public to get involved. This again is still comparing digital and traditional typography while also looking into how they are sometimes put together and the connection between the two. Getting say an expert in digital type to create hand drawn typography would be a major step and would also educate them on the different dimensions of typography. The initial objective in this project is to draw designers more away from digitally created type and start creating their hand drawing skills to create masterpieces in typography. To me personally, typography created just from pen and paper is more attractive, personal and unique than looking at typography on a screen. This could be done in many ways such as creating a font with a design more similar to hand drawn type, this would incorporate both, digital and traditional methods of typography. But my main goal is to draw people away from digital so I would create a method to influence people to go out their way and start creating work to a different style and method to their usual or even make masters within the typographic fields to carry on their skill to influence others to expand their creativity. I decided to create a design contest, this would be official and try to get as many designers as possible to send me their personal work to start this contest. The number one goal of this it to get people trying new things within graphic design. Designers are always looking for contests to update their CV’s and also upgrade their portfolios. This could be a contest that I have not managed to find anywhere, one unique to the others and also another area of design that designers could put in their CV to develop their skill. Within a contest, there are many parts that need to be designed. These range from adverts, logo, website, leaflets, cards, certificates and also apps. This would give me a good amount of work which ranges in media’s. This would also create the chance for me to design a brand identity, advertisement, websites and even more typography to set a structure for the contest which is a broad range of styles and techniques.After looking at design contests which involve typography, not one was involving hand drawn typography, only digital. This is how my contest would give designers an opportunity which is hard to find at the moment. This could also involve a prize to influence more designers to get involved. The contests that I stumbled upon such as, CA Typography Contest, Hiii Typography Design Competition,Typography Day Poster Competition and
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Typoday Competition, not one even asked for development sketches of the digital type which doesn’t show the audience how these skills can be mastered or even practiced, while a hand drawn contest can show you different styles than can be implemented into your own work and different typefaces can you can learn from. Most typography can now be found on social media uploaded by the designers themselves, this is where traditional typography shines. Many people following designers work and also giving them feedback, but never have a witnessed one of these designers receiving appreciation from organisations within the design industry which would help them greatly.
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visuals
logo
sketches:
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final sketch
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process: using adobe illustator
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This logo was created and intended to be a emblem style. I think this would work best with the campaign as an emblem as it could be placed on top of many designs I will create for this project and would be placed well at the top or in the centre, also the emblem style could easily be identified. The shadow behind the typeface gives the logo a more 3-D feel and also makes the type visually hover in front of the main shape of the emblem. I incorporated the branding colour for the circular shape with a slight darker tone to show the different shapes more clearly. The primary colour from the branding:
pantone 1355 u
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Logo design
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certificates
Information needed on certificate: Name Place Winner Year Logo Signature Contest Name Authenticity Badge
I will use the branding colour for the 1st place certificate as it is similar to a gold colour which also represents a winner. 2nd and 3rd place certificates will be colours silvewr and bronze to represent 2nd and 3rd place.
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sketches:
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process: using adobe illustator
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FInal certificates
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Hakim benyahia Best hand-drawn typography piece
nermin kahrimanovic
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nd runner-up
Hakim benyahia Best hand-drawn typography piece
nermin kahrimanovic
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rd runner-up
Hakim benyahia Best hand-drawn typography piece
nermin kahrimanovic
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I also created one with a hologram in the bottom corner as many authentic certificates come with this to show that they are originals.
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app
An app is another idea I’ve had towards the contest. With this app, you would be able to enter the contest, look at examples, get information and contact details. So far this has only been looking into Android apps, but this could expand further on. This app would need: Welcome Page Enter the contest Info About Us Contact Enter Page Rules How To Image Upload Name Number Email
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sketches:
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process: using adobe illustator and Adobe Photoshop
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FInal app
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website
I also decided to create a website for this contest. The website of a current contest makes it what it is. These are used to promote the project as people can share the link and spread it on social media. Many people interested in a contest first go on their website to see how to enter, rules and regulations and also the prize.
The website would contain: Home Page Information Contact Page How To Enter Rules And Regulation Welcome Page
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sketches:
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process: using adobe illustator and Adobe Photoshop
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Final WEbsite
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final
Typography contests
Creating a contest will draw peoples attention to hand lettering rather than digital type. The two are both good but the purpose for creating this contest is to attract typographers everywhere to try hand lettering and also improve their skills with it. There are many typography contests out at the moment but not one of the major ones are for hand drawn typography, strictly digital. There will be many designs that have to created for the contest, such as: Website Posters Adverts Logo Leaflets Typography Certificates This is why I have chosen to carry on with this project as there is no chance of there being a lack of designs as all of these are needed and play major parts in the project.
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These are the first three typography contests I could find just by googling ‘typography contests’ and all of these ask for digital work and font designs. These are not bad contests in any way and I have created digital typography work before, but, I still believe that there should be more hand lettering for the world to see and this contest gives them an opportunity with the help of myself and sponsors.
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This contest will obviously have to have some guidelines and rules, these will make the contest what it is such as the styling and composure and the work that will be handed in. These are some examples of which rules behind the design that could be used: Calligraphy Block Text Fancy Font Type (Styles of digital fonts) A Whole Typeface I have decided to go with calligraphy and this is what most hand letterers specialise in after looking at many typographers work. Calligraphy is the main styling of the work but this will not be a small amount of possibilities as calligraphy can come is many different designs and looks.
Created by AndrĂŠ Ueno
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Created by Joshua Phillips
Created by Nim Ben-Reuven
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Rules & Regulations
Calligraphy styling Any material can be used to create the typography as long as it is on paper Final can be a scan or just an image of the final Make clear and understandable Any colours can be used No digital editing Any word(s) can be used Attention into to detail and styling
There is endless possibilities with the designing as calligraphy is one of the broadest typography stylings as there is a more smart/casual look that calligraphy can show or even a fancy style which is more fun and eye catching, but both are great examples.
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Created by Tanya Cherkiz
Created by Mike Burroughs
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creating the website
I created a website for the contest for all information including how to enter and the rules. There is also an ‘Enter’ page for entrees to upload their image and information to be submitted to me, which will then all for into a joint folder for me to have an easy look through all the submissions. The website include four pages, these are: Home Enter Rules and Regulations Contact Us Any help needed can be done on the website, either by looking through the information and rules or even buy contacting me. I visited 1and1 which is a tool for creating websites and also gives you an option to include your own coding to edit aspects of the website. I mainly used coding for creating widgets for the website which is how I was able to include and submission section.
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They gave me a standard web layout which I decided to start with and to alter to see how this could work and to get more skill using the website creating tool.
I started by changing the background which instanlty told me this was not the right layout for the contest.
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I looked through all the layouts and then found this one.
I then started to experiment with backgrounds to see which one would work best.
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Carried on experimenting with backgrounds.
I then chose a final background, after taking this photo and editing the image to suit the web page more and to create a brighter page.
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These are the two angles I tried to create the background.
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This is a before and after shot of the chosen image. Contrast and brightness were worked on to create a lighter, more detailed image and also zoomed in to fill the space more.
This background was chosen as this ‘messy pencil’ adds to the more hand-made feel that I’m trying to create and the red of the pencil give the webpage more colour and depth.
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I then went onto changing the colour of the banners and main text area. This colour would be the primary colour of the website and would need to work well with the orange used in the logo.
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At this point, all the text had to be filled in. On my ‘Home’ page I wrote an introduction and information about the contest inlcuding the prizes and sponsors.
“Welcome to the Type Me Some hand-lettering contest, where we look for the best letterers with no digital components involved. We look for the most amazing and eye-catching designs. This can range from many styles while we still look for calligraphic inspiration. There are not many contests out there like this but we want to give the hand-letterers of the world their time in the spotlight. This can lead to many things for the winners and runner-ups and give entry owners an opportunity to expand their work and get more publicity for their work. The winner will receive ultimate exposure with a feature on Goodtype’s Facebook page and maybe even their Instagram feed. People from all over will admire and appreciate your work. A certificate will be granted to you as per usual and this will be an incredible boost for your CV.”
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I added an ‘Enter Now’ link to take you to the page to enter the contest also designed to be themed with the rest of the page and also the logo of the sponsor ‘Goodtype’ so people who are into hand lettering could recognise the logo instantly to draw in more attention and also makes the webpage look more professional.
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I found out about ‘Jotform’ which is exactly what i needed for the website to allow for entries. Jotform let me create and widget for the website where I can link my email and place all the information boxes that are needed.
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I added a comfirmation box so people will only submit their own work and if they do not I have rights to take further action for plagiarism and also makes me feel safer tell the winner that he has won rather than not knowing if the work is even their own.
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I went onto the ‘Rules & Regulations’ page, here is all the restrictions to the contest and information, here the visitor can can find out nearly everything about the contest and also know what is required.
Finally came the ‘Contact Us’ page, which just gives some information on how to contact me with any problems, concerns or just general questions.
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A domain had to be purchased so the website is easier to find and also make it more professiional and trustworthy. I tried many domains such as: www.typemesomecontest.com www.typemesome.com www.typemesometypography.com www.typemecontest.com I decided to go with:
I decided to go with this one as it was just simply the name of the contest itself, no more information. This simple address makes the site easier to find and also more recognisable.
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testing the website
To test if the widget works, I filled in my own details, uploaded an image and ticked the ‘Your Own Work’ section and then clicked onto submit.
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A thank you message then appeared telling me that my submission has gone through.
I then received an email from Jotform.
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In this email was all the information that was filled out and if they accepted the terms and conditions, also the image is uploaded into the email for me to save and view.
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The image opens easily and also would be renamed so I know who’s work is who’s which means the submission section is fully working and also gives me all the information that is needed.
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hand to type by jan middendorp
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This is a book that was a must-read to me and for this project, it includes all type of calligraphy, the process to create this type style and also many different artist and languages that the typography is shown in. This book was a great start to me understanding calligraphy more before the contest is opened and also the steps people go through to create great typography. These are the main parts that stood out to me and could help me with my project and contest:
Jan Middendorp (2012). Hand to Type. Berlin: Gestalten. 50.
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Quote
Reference
Thoughts
“Depending on the content, the writer would use different style of language and write it down in a visually different style. Even before starting to read, a reader could instantly recognize the kind of text by just a quick glance.” Jan Middendorp (2012). Hand to Type. Berlin: Gestalten. 15.
The styling of the typography can be a language itself. A reader can understand the topic of the text before actually beginning to read. This shows me that the style itself is a big part in the communication from the artist to the reader and this can be used in such a beautiful way but of course must be mastered first.
“Many countries in the world have multiple languages, and quite a few have more than one writing system (or “script”).” Jan Middendorp (2012). Hand to Type. Berlin: Gestalten. 17.
Many international typographers have different ways they need to show their text as some countries and areas of the world will use more than one language and using different script. This makes the typography very interesting as they must know is the style of the text will work for both languages or even if it will work in the area where more than one language is spoken.
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Jan Middendorp (2012). Hand to Type. Berlin: Gestalten. 78.
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Jan Middendorp (2012). Hand to Type. Berlin: Gestalten. 77.
Jan Middendorp (2012). Hand to Type. Berlin: Gestalten. 48.
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Jan Middendorp (2012). Hand to Type. Berlin: Gestalten. 47.
Jan Middendorp (2012). Hand to Type. Berlin: Gestalten. 31.
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Jan Middendorp (2012). Hand to Type. Berlin: Gestalten. 2162.
Jan Middendorp (2012). Hand to Type. Berlin: Gestalten. 227.
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“Calligraphy was the most advanced and complex form of writing until 200 years ago, and countless visual and calligraphic masterpieces have been created in this field.” Jan Middendorp (2012). Hand to Type. Berlin: Gestalten. 92.
Calligraphy is a great form of typography and is one of the most popular styles of type. I think this would be a great styling genre for my contest and there are many profesionals and amateurs within this field which will bring a great contrast of work to the contest.
“The calligraphic community still seems to be driven by the wish to make something beautiful, right? Something noble.” Jan Middendorp (2012). Hand to Type. Berlin: Gestalten. 100.
Calligraphy is not just about being a beautiful text form but also about communicating the message that you are trying to deliver with style .
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The Difference between a contest & competition
contest: A contest is usually a ‘one off’ and usually doesn’t involve a mojor prize to the winner, its just a way to show who’s the most skilled out the entries. A contest is more laid back and isn’t the most professional way to each an income from.
competition: A competition is a more professional version of a contest which usually involves sponsors. A competition is held mostly more than once, either seasonal or yearly. Competitions always involve a prize, mainly a major prize to entice more people to get involved and fight for the prize.
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branding outlines
logo
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process:
I started on a quick sketch of the logo which I wanted it to simply be the name of the contest is a nicely designed typeface.
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I then started to neaten up the type and also changed a few parts for it to be smoother.
I then went on to digitizing the typogrpahy but the realised that this design wouldn’t be right for the logo.
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Fonts: I started to look at fonts that could help this logo go more with the style of the contest. I started to look at calligraphy fonts and these are the best ones I could find for my logo.
60 pt
Honey Script
60 pt
60 pt
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Testing:
Type Me Some
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Chosen font
Type Me Some
105 pt
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Type Me Some
Minion Pro 14 pt
HAND-LETTERING CONTEST
Type Me Some Big John 14 pt
HAND-LETTERING CONTEST
Type Me Some Type Me Some
Honey Script 14 pt
HAND-LETTERING CONTEST
Birch Std 14 pt
HAND-LETTERING CONTEST
Font experimentation for subheading of logo. I was going for a more block/bold font so the two could be more seperated and easily be able to identify the two from each other.
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Type Me Some Type Me Some HAND-LETTERING CONTEST
HAND-LETTERING CONTEST
Type Me Some HAND-LETTERING CONTEST
Type Me Some HAND-LETTERINGCONEST
pantone 1355 u
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social networking advert
I started with instagram for advertising of the contest. Instagram has millions of followers and a high chance for a spread of people to see the advert and to also aim it at a certain group of followers such as designers or typographers. I posted an image on my design page as many typographers and graphic desingers are following me, this lead to people seeing the image and taking an interest in the contest which then lead to submitions.
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I started to create a single image to start the campaign off. I wanted these to be simple and then the caption of the image to hold most of the information.
I went and tried different simple placements for the ad, so I created this sketch to see how this placement would work and also added I Instagram template to see how this work within the app.
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After testing the the placement and finding the right one, I went onto sketching the ad it self. I also added some simple colour to see if the colours would work together and also writing the information that would be placed on the digital version.
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1st advert
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process: I started by finding a good wooden surface image.
I played around with the brightness and contrast to get a darker texture on the wood so the logo stands out more.
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I then added the logo.
I then cut out a piece of sharpner waste and placed it in the image and then adding a drop shaddow.
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The the same was done to an image of a pencil and then the advert was complete.
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Final:
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caption: The caption is the text that goes underneath the image on social networking applications. Here I could write all the information for the contest or at least some text to lead the viewer to get more information.
“
“
HAND-DRAWN TYPOGRAPHY CONTEST, for hand lettering entries Deadline day 17th May Please check the website for more information www.typemesome.com #typography #art #graphics #graphicdesign #word #type #handtype #handlettering
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The contest has now been opened! This is were I try to advertise the contest as much as possible to get the entries coming in. I tried to contact many designers and typography pages on social networking but only a few got back to me. One major page on social networking sites replied back to me and this is a contact I made towards the begining of the project. The page is ‘Goodtype’ which has over 200,000 people following images and information that they post online. I decided to email them to see if they could help me with advertisement and they agreed that they could post it on their Facebook page to help me with entries and getting the word out there.
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The emails between me and Brooke Bucherie (Goodtype) about advertisement for my contest.
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Goodtypes post on facebook advertising my contest.
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I then went onto asking designers I know to post my advertisement on their instagrams to get more publicity and more entries.
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Thanks to these different sources for advertisement, it helped me boost the recognition of the contest.
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People started to see the adverts I had placed and started to enter my contest. The first day of the contest being open I managed to get eight entries and this was a good start for me and also let me understand what work was being entered in and the level of skill from the typographers.
inbox (8)
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All the submissions went to my email and let me download the image with all the designers details for me to know who has handed in their work.
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At this point, I had to start making my certificates for the winner and runner-ups. I looked at different ways to to put the winners on the certificates. The two ways I could make are either: • Winner & Runner-Ups or • 1st Place, 2nd Place & 3rd Place
Chosen order:
3rd
2nd
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sketches:
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Development:
First the border was created using the pen tool and pathfinder.
The logo was then placed at the top of the certificate.
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The information such as the name and award was placed. Name was in Big John font and the award was in Honey Script.
The year was placed underneath the name.
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The title was then written using Honey Script but altered to make more eye catching and also go along with the branding style.
The position number was then placed and also altered to once again go with the branding style.
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Each position was then worked on so all could go together and also carry on the same styling.
An outline was created to leave a gap between the number and the other characters.
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A light shape to go in the centre of each border side.
When finished I wasn’t too happy withe the outcome so I decided to work on another shape to go with the border.
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I then decided to go with more of a ‘hand drawn’ look so I started to draw swirls to start to give me an idea of what sort of pattern I could use. The middle one was the best for me so I carried that on to digital and created it using the pen tool.
First the basic line pattern was created, but only one half as I wanted it perfectly symmetrical so I would need to copy and paste on half and work from there.
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I then added weight to the line vector.
Pinching one corner gave me a gradient look from the start to the end.
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COpied and pasted one half and then flipped.
Once put together I saw that they did not match perfectly, with pathfinder I managed to make them mathc and join them together perfectly.
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Distanced look on the created pattern.
Copied and pasted the complete pattern to use on the opposite side.
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Once placed on the opposite side, I changed the patterns colour to the same as the border so they match. Still noticing the top and bottom do not go with the rest of the designs.
Top and bottoms shapes removed.
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My personall signature is placed towards the bottom.
Ajustments made and logo made smaller.
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Colour and position changed for the runner-ups. Each position uses the colour to represent the position, such as: 1st Place used a orange colour which is simiular to gold which works well for first place. 2nd Place used a light grey to represent silver, 3rd Place use a darker brown to represent a bronze award.
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A swirl in the background was made to make the certificate look more filled and also followed the same colour scheme.
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Name hand-drawn by Example
2015
Winner of Type Me Some contest for best hand-lettering piece
nermin kahrimanovic
I also created another version for the winner where the winner can write his own name in any style he likes as this is their profession and also makes it more unique. This also stays within the genre on the whole contest but this will be done only if the winner wants to as the digital version will also be sent to them and they can decide which one to use.
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These are the two hand drawn typography pieces I created to be examples on the certificate to show how the typographer can make his own certificate look.
This was created using a marker to see how different materials would work with the certificates.
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Personal Hand lettering
I decided to use the word ‘punch’ for my personal handlettering piece and decided to try a few different pens for this style and these are some quick skecthes for me to try a few different sizes and positions.
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These are my two finals of this paticular word and these two are the same styling but with a few differences such as colour and shadows.
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Another word I went to design was ‘type’ and these are my two quick skectches I drew to create the style and also know what works and what doesn’t.
This is my final which I made sure was very fine and neat.
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My next to design was for my cover of this very book. I started by trying different styles for my project title.
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After I was happy with the sketches, I began to trace this digitally for the typography to be suitable for my cover.
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This is the final that I created for the cover, also used a colour that has been used through out my whole project to keep the same styling.
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LAST ADVERTISING
With the last few days of the contest left, I decided to create some more advertisment on social media as a heads-up to any designers that wanted to enter. This lets the last entries come in just incase anyone did not know when the contest ends.
I decided to use the previous advert style for these aswell as this was the one that everyone saw first and if I carry on this style, it makes the advert more recognizable when scrolling through new images on Instagram.
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development:
I started by opening the original advert that was first posted on the day the contest opened.
I removed the pencil and sharpening off to create a background for my typed message.
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I then added the number off days left of the contest in a large size and white so this would grab a viewers attention.
In a smaller size, I wrote ‘days left’ as I wanted the number to be the main part for the viewer to know.
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After all was done, I positioned the text.
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Final
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These are all three I created and used on social media, each one for a different day close to the closing date of the competition. Sone I done with slanted text but for the last day I decided to go with straight text to show that this is not the same as the others.
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This is the final one posted on my Instagram for my followers to see.
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My advertisement also received many comments from followers and designers on social media such as these two at the bottom.
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The contest is now closed! The contest has been closed and now all the entries will be reviewed and a winner/runner-ups will be chosen with the help of my colleagues. Each entry will be looked at very closely and everyones opinions will be heard during the reviewing. The website has also been put offline so no more poeple enter the contest after it has closed. The contest all together received 26 entries which is more than I expected and is also a good amount for a small contest within typography. Entries came from all around the world with some amazing work from many known typographers and also was a great feeling to also receive an entry with the contest name being the entry. This showed me that people liked what I was doing with the contest and also there was no real prize, only a certificate and a post on a famous typography social media page, many entries were done for the love of typography and to improve their skills as an artist. Here are the 26 entries ......
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These are all the entries I received from the contest and all were submitted through the website. There are many different styles, variations and words but some also could not be analysed fully as some of these did not meet the requirements of the contest and were disqualified which was something that I expected. This still gave me a good amount that could have a chance to win.
After hours of reviewing each and every entry carefully, I finally decided on a winner and runner-ups.
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3rd position
‘O’ by Belen Temprado This piece we all loved, just the simplicity of using one letter but two colours just made this work. Using the traditional calligraphy tools made us like it more with a very detailed design and this is something once looked at once, you love it forever.
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2nd position
‘Gunslinger’ by Calvin Head The Gunslinger was very close to being the winner with the fancy calligraphy design and the attention to detail is amazing. Even the guidelines that are barely visible just give it more of a hand-drawn feeling. The kerning is extremely good and the contrast between the ink and paper also makes the whole word very understanding, altogether an amazing piece.
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winner!
‘Mr. Schmetzer’ by Martin Schmetzer This was jaw dropping for everyone as soon as we saw it. Many parts to this piece we just found great, from the 3-D and drop shadow effect to the shiny texture and amazing detail. This one to me worked the best and got the most attention from all of us that reviewed the work. After all the entries, I couldn’t have been happier with the winning piece and also the runner-ups.
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belen temprado 2015
Runner-up of Type Me Some contest for best hand-lettering piece
The certificates were then made for the winner and the two runner-ups with their names and the position they came in the contest.
nermin kahrimanovic
calvin head 2015
Runner-up of Type Me Some contest for best hand-lettering piece
nermin kahrimanovic
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For the winner, a normal certificate was created and also one for the winner to design his own name but I placed a text to show that he is the winner and designer of the typography on the certificate.
martin schmetzer 2015
Winner of Type Me Some contest for best hand-lettering piece
nermin kahrimanovic
Name hand-drawn by Martin Schmetzer
2015
of Type Me Some contest for best hand-lettering piece
nermin kahrimanovic
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After this, the winners had to be contacted to be told the good news and also Goodtype was contacted with the winning typography for them to place on all their social media accounts.
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This is the post that Goodtype placed on their Instagram and Martin received massive recognition from around the world and his work received thousands of likes from designers.
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In conclusion, I beleive my contest went very well and got great feedback from designers. I do beleive my contest influenced designers to try hand lettering instead of digital lettering as two of the entries are from colleagues that have never tried hand lettering before but decided to give it a try for my contest. There is nothing wrong with digital typography but I did beleive that hand lettering was becoming less popular but this contest has shown me different and that many designers around that are still keeping this art form alive and only improving, also making many young designers start hand lettering for them selves
end.
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nermin kahrimanovic Nermin Kahrimanovic Š