The focus of this report is to find out what are the rules of typography and when do they apply within the graphic design world. When we approach typography I believe a lot of beginner designers feel intimidated by this subject and this is were I would like to contribute by giving a guide to what rules should be used and followed.
Having expanded on my area of interest and gathered useful research, which was resourced from the internet, books and magazines I read through them and summarized the concepts which accompanied this topic. A few rules did arise almost instantly, and the most common ones are as follows:
1. To not use more than three typefaces in a document.
2. To follow a hierarchy on a page
3. To not use body text larger than 8pt to 10pt.
4. To never use a typeface which is not legible
5. To use kerning and make sure white space becomes equally visible between characters.
6. To highlight important elements discreetly within text.
7. To not use only capitals when setting vast body copy.
8. To always align letters and words on a baseline.
9. To use flush-left, ragged-right type alignment.
10. To not makes lines too short or too long.
However, having said that these rules can be manipulated and changed when appropriate., as long as a theme is being kept throughout. A good example of a designer who works in this manner is David Carson and I intend to expand on the background information found to perhaps try an experiment on how breaking the rules can work. For example taken a ready designed menu and braking the typography rules. I want to find out whether this would work and do people take into consideration the altered piece or does it not affect them in any way.
Possible Chapter Headings:
Design and typography’s purpose
Here I would like to cover why design is a big element for today’s society and how we are surrounded by it everyday, therefore this is why it is so important to get it right in the first place, so we can differentiate the good design from the bad.
How typography contributes to design
It doesn’t matter how you do the layout or images if its without the appropriate typeface, the design can go from great to terrible and this plays a big role in the tone of the design. This is what I what to cover in this section.
The rules and importance of typography
Here the rules which I have research will be applied and a description will accompany them with the importance and perhaps some examples.
Experimentation on typography
Good and bad re-design of menu
Questionnaire/Interview designers on typography rules, this will be followed with a right up on the feedback.
Braking the rules and why
Background on David Carson (Other designers who work in the same manner) will be put in this section and I will discuss how the rules of typography can be broken and what it may depend on.
Conclusion
A conclusion on the information gathered and overall how it may or may not have worked it.
Action Plan
These are the following plans of action I want to follow in order to successfully carry out this report and produce a well written piece of work.
Read and re-write in my own words the research gathered from the bibliography mention bellow.
Email tutors who specialize in typography on any advice which can be given.
Perhaps talk to the technicians in the letterpress room.
Experiment with braking the rules and applying them in for example a menu card, record how an audience may react to the changes made.
Designing a piece of work with my own typography rules and see the outcome. Finding out when it is right to be wrong. (how would I go about this one?)
Bibliography
Books:
The Ten Commandments of Typography and The Heresy by Paul Felton Foreword bt Jonathan Barnbrook
Macro Micro Aesthetics - Willi Kunz
Type and Colour - Michael Beaumont
Text on type critical writings – Steven Heller and Philip B.Meggs
Type and typography – Phil Baines and Andrew Haslam
Essentials of visual communications – Bo Bergstrom
What is typography – David Jury
Jonathan’s Bible -Jonathan Barnbrooks
Stop stealing shepp and find out how type works – Erik Spiekermann and E.M. Ginger
Websites:
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typography - Gathering general information for a basic understanding.
www.thedesigncubicle.com/2008/12/10-common-typography-mistakes/ - 10 common mistakes which are done when using typography.
www.recedinghairline.co.uk/files/c1c3be2fda2b218e858029a4bde7e96c-397.html - Another website on common mistakes when using type.
www.fonts.com/aboutfonts/articles/typography/legibility.htm - Understanding the importance of legibility and readability.
www.davidcarsondesign.com - Looking at the work of David Carson and how he has is own set of rules.
Hi Yessica,
ReplyDeleteThis is HUGE! Some good stuff in there but you need to narrow down.
I wouldn't bother with why design is important - in the context of your report I think we can assume it is. Start instead with a premise something like 'good designers understand the rules of typography'. The report will investigate the tensions within the fact that while design education holds up rules of type as fundamental knowledge it simultaneously holds up the work of designers that break the rules as beacons of good practice. This is a dilemma for people studying design etc.
Chapter 1 could be an investigation into what these rules are & why they exist (legibility etc). Take from the literature - you have made a good start on this.
Chapter 2 - breaking the rules. Analysing the work of David Carson. Dissect what he has done precisely and analyse why it is still successful.
Conclusion - why are the rules important? Do design students need another set of rules about breaking the rules?
Alternatively your report could focus on the breaking of one of the specific rules you have identified. You could look for lots of examples of design that have done this successfully?