Graphic Design - Project 2 Issue

Graphic Desgin I Formal Qualities of A Letter Jabari Adams

Anis Kuzmis

Zach Custer

Jabari Adams At first thought, when we started this project, I figured this was going to be fun, but very hard. The problem that got me the most was figuring out how to make a 2 dimensional form and turn it 3 dimensional. So I started by making alot of sketches of the 2d form to get around the idea and picture how it would look 3 dimensional. I began by starting off with only certain parts of the letter to shape it into 3d formation. I also made note to the size asking myself “Is it too big?”, “Is it too small?”, “How am I going to make it 3d dimensional?”. To get a good idea on how it will form a circular rotation, I ended up drawing a box with a letter “g” in 3 dimensional form to get a good idea on how it can rotate.

In addition to certain parts of the letter, I also took in consideration of how it would look at the top. So I drew a rectangle and made it 3 dimensional to get a good start on the front of the “g” and the top of the “g”. Once I started to getting the hang of it, my next step was to make a prototype. I used the material, aluminum, because it’s very easy to form as far as it can bend and blend to make shape. The only problem I had with it was that it was too fragile and could rip easily so I had to be care and take my time.

Finally, after a group discussion on what material to use, we decided to use stire foam, because not only is it bendable, but it’s also less fragile. It was alot to carve out and a little bit confusing on how the side of the “g” should be cut out. However, we manage to sketch an idea and came to the conclusion that the “g” should curve, which made the project more easier on the circular motion. I felt it was a good idea to make it twist so that it would look as if the “g’s” were actually forming a circle, but in 3 dimensional. This project to me, was a good experience and I had alot of fun. It brought out my creative side in art and in hopes of doing a project like this in the future.

Anis Kuzmis When my group and I first picked the design of the Zapfino G it seemed like a very difficult design to work with. We struggled trying to figure how we wanted to set up our letter in the proper way to make it fill up a lot of space and to make it look good in a 3D format.

When I was working on the design of the letter, I started by sketching and brainstorming new and fresh ideas. I came up with the idea of having the G’s stand on either a triangle or rectangle base so that it would be able to stand up on its own. I also suggested that we have the letters glued down to a stick or something wooden to hold it up. I suggested we make the G from mounting board but after testing it out I realized its very hard to cut it all out and make it have a straight edge. I made a mock up of the G and taped it all together.

We experimented with different materials it was hard to make any material have a good shape and a straight edge to it until we came across some floral foam. I quickly noticed how easy it is to cut it out and sand it down to make a straight edge out of it.

We then proceeded to make a mock up of our final design and while creating it we figured it would look nicer if we twisted the top of the G to give it a better look.

Zach Custer For this project, Formal Qualties of a Letter, my group and I choose a very interesting letter form composed of the lowercase letter “g” in Zapfino typeface repeated four times in a circular pattern. We started with simple sketches, my first few are really simple until a little help from classmates in the group decide to go “3D” with the letter.

In the beginning, I started with two simple mock-ups due to lack of creativity until that “eureka “ moment was lodged in my head and I had a vision of what direction I wanted to take the letter form. In this moment, I determined to twist the decender of the letter “g” 90º angle to give it that deminsional edge our group needed.

With help from group, we decided how and what materials to produce this project in the most time-efficient way. From wood, metal, cardboard, plastic, aluminum foil, and finally styrofoam. Thanks to a classmate outside of the group let us use extra styrofoam she had. After all the planning we finally produced our final mock-up made from styrofoam.

Finally choosing our material, comes shopping to find the right size foam and utensils to use. The group and I started getting busy by slowly and carefully carving and sanding each letter form to spec.

Our final piece measures close to 13 inches tall and nearly 15 inches wide and 15 inches deep. It is made from green styrofoam and held together with well-placed toothpicks and hot glue. If the group had more time we woud of experimented with wood and clay to make an even bigger sculpture.