Typography Fabrication

TYPOGRAPHY FABRICATION PROCESS DOCUMENT

Sampda Mago | UGCD Level 2 - Semester 5 | Graphic Design

1

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

3 5 7

5W1H SUMMARY

MATERIAL SELECTION

KEY LEARNINGS

2 4 6 8

INTRODUCTION

KEYWORDS AND TYPEFACE

FABRICATION PROCESS

SCOPE FOR IMPROVEMENT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

EXPLORATIONS

RESEARCH

SELECTION OF TECHNIQUE

SELECTION OF MATERIAL

I would like to extend my gratitude to my tutor, Mr. Prem Sagar for this project. He reviewed and questioned my work at every step until the fabrication. I would also like to thank Mr. Harmind who helped me develop my typeface which was the prerequisite to this assignment. Lastly, I would like to acknowledge my indebtedness to the workers at N.S. Plastic Works who helped me laser cut my characters.

MEASUREMENTS LASER CUTTING

INTRODUCTION

MANUAL DETAILS The brief for this project was to take the typeface designed in the Typography course and to fabricate in either manually or through digitally using methods such as laser cutting, 3D printing etc. The aim was to understand different materials and their properties as well as different technical methods of fabrication.

Kath is a brand that works towards the upliftment of the Rajasthani art of Kathputli, which is essentially using wooden marionettes with one string for folk storytelling. Like all folk arts, Kathputli is slowly losing its place in the consumer driven economy and that is where this brand comes into being.

The word Kath literally translates to lumber. The brand explores possibilities of revival of the art and representation of the concept of diversity by creating puppets of the following categories :1. State puppets 2. Smaller Tribes and Communities 3. Religions 4. Body and Beauty 5. Professions 6. Disabilities 7. Significant Figures in History and Cinema 8. Festivals

WHAT -Kathputli style marionettes representing cultural and physical diversity across India

5W1H SUMMARY

WHEN -Such a brand is needed now because the newer generations do not know about their cultural roots and the country is fusing into one uniform culture.

WHY -Upliftment of the folk art of Kathputli -Means of retaining cultural diversity and awareness -Providing opportunities to artisans

WHERE -All Indian states covering remote areas -Based out of Rajasthan

WHO -Traditional Kathputli makers get work opportunities -Children are made aware of their roots and traditions -Indian nationals who are culturally inclined, socially responsible and active -Collectors irrespective of nationality

HOW -Each made by carving wood by hand

KEYWORDS & TYPEFACE

The keywords used to create the typeface were :Erratic Angular Movement Connected Weight at bottom I also used the movements and mechanism of kathputlis to design the typeface.

MATERIAL SELECTION

Traditionally, kathputlis are created using wood, strings, paint and cotton fabric.

Besides the traditional aspect, my material selection also depended on my keywords that I built the typeface on. The final two elements that I used for material selection were fluidity and rigidity. Therefore I envisioned the end product to display a combination of both of their qualities and chose MDF and anchor threads.

FABRICATION PROCESS

1. The first step in fabrication was to analyse different materials in order to choose one for my typeface. I chose MDF and anchor threads.

2. After choosing the materials, a choice had to be made between different methods of fabrication. I chose laser cutting under digital fabrication for precision on the curves as opposed to manually making it.

3. This was followed by an extensive research about the materials to be used and the mechanism behind laser cutting.

4. Once I educated myself on the subject and all the doubts were ruled out, I explored two methods. The first one required me to break down each character and use joineries to connect the pieces. The second one was to use the character as it was and laser cut it in one piece. I chose the second method because I had no prior experience with joineries or woodwork in general, and all the characters would have to be changed according to the first method.

5. At this stage, the measurements were decided in terms of the length, width and thickness of each character. Other technical specifications were also decided.

6. I got in touch with different laser cutting shops out of which I chose to work with N.S. Plastic Works in Paharganj.

7. After getting the letters laser cut, I sandwiched a string between two characters according to the requirements of my typeface.

8. I took final pictures of the fabrication and checked the measurements one last time.

(left) Pictures of the characters being laser cut (below) The final fabricated word after attaching threads.

KEY LEARNINGS

Being a graphic design student, working with material was not something I was accustomed to or comfortable with. However, after studying a few materials and techniques, I found myself a little more open to experimentation in terms of fabrication.

Each potential material was analysed on the basis of its physical properties, compatible adhesives, price range and availability in the area.

I then took a similar route with each potential fabrication technique, wherein I was stuck between laser cutting and 3D printing. I chose the former because of its compatibility with my desired material in Delhi.

SCOPE FOR IMPROVEMENT

While designing the typeface digitally, my vision was two dimensional so the fabricated characters turned out to be quite different from my expectations and that required me to improvise as I worked.

Neatness was also an element my design lacked because digitally, the faults that look minor may translate as very noticeable mistakes after being created in 3D. Another area I could have improved in was the size of my laser cut characters. It turned out as too small and that posed as a hurdle when I was manually attaching the threads between the MDF layers.

REFERENCES

process of laser cutter - Google Search. 2017. process of laser cutter - Google Search. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.google.com/ search?hl=en-IN&q=process+of+laser+cutter&tbm=isch&tbs=simg:CAQS lwEJRr0etSf0D28aiwELEKjU2AQaBAgVCAoMCxCwjKcIGmIKYAgDEij3H_1Y fvRPBE5oIlQi8E5kIrxOAE6Q-oj7wP989nj7tP80__pz-vefXAhXFYo8KHdPRD U4Q2A4IJigB&biw=713&bih=650#imgrc=SFQnitBkgyI9mM:. [Accessed 28 November 2017].

A chase to the cut - The Fabricator. 2017. A chase to the cut - The Fabricator. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.thefabricator.com/article/ cuttingweldprep/a-chase-to-the-cut. [Accessed 28 November 2017]. laser cut cnc machine – Finishersantibes.com. 2017. laser cut cnc machine – Finishersantibes.com. [ONLINE] Available at: http://finishersantibes. com/laser-cut-cnc-machine/. [Accessed 28 November 2017].