For this weeks entry I want to focus on something similar to out current project. I chose this spread because I am using irregularly shaped images in my spreads. I think the designer used the space well and was able to unify the type and imagery. What makes their layout work is the spill over image and the type placed in the image spread. These two elements keep the readers eyes constantly moving around the spread. This s something I will keep in mind while designing my exhibition catalog. 

Stickers : Isaiah Carrasco | Caitlin Landingham

"This is the result of my inexplicable absence. It's been marvelous." 

These are a series of stickers printed by Isaiah Carrasco. The typeface is a knock-off of Helvetica called "Mr. Neuman". Simple, clean, easy to read makes this bold statement more empowering. The knock-off font makes the message have a subtle irony to it which I enjoy. In my designs I would probably just use the original Helvetica Neue. Actually I do. They're in the elevator at the good ol' JCM art building so check 'em out.

Japanse type

Japanese Grid Type- this type is a freehand brush type that utilizes a grid , however the type is not organized by grid restraint  but rather by centering the "whole" of the character on an axis.

The typeface is very bold , to me this indicates a serious or possibly playful nature to it, depending on the context and what its used for. I find it so interesting because the cultural difference between kanji and the greek alphabet is so vast. It's interesting to me to view them visually rather than "reading" them.
This is influencing my work a lot right now because i am focusing on type that serves a visual purpose and communicates something other than what it literally reads.

Molly Gardner 3/24

1.

2.CLASSIFY TYPE: Sans-serif, cursive, italic serif.

3. DESCRIBE OBJECT, AUDIENCE, PURPOSE: beer label, all consumers (especially alcohol consumers), and purpose is to present info and display brand.

4.HOW DOES TYPOGRAPHY ENHANCE MESSAGE?There is a good balance between the bold box and the tall white text. There is good variation that isn't too over-stimulating.

5.SPECIFICALLY EXPLAIN HOW EXAMPLE WILL INFLUENCE CREATIVE WORK: I like the use of shapes, lines, and images with the black and white scale. It is simple, yet complex and interesting enough. I will explore to a greater depth the possibilities with little color.

Source: Behind Middleton's Pub in Wimberley, Texas.  There was a table of these, and this one was pretty cool.

Type Classification: a fancy Serif, very ornate

What is it?:  This is a tap handle for Odell Brewing company's IPA.  It is a wonderfully crafted handle, to support a wonderfully crafted beer.

Analyze this piece: The type has these whimsical serifs that point outward for a very ornate and Indian feel.  The original beer was shipped from India to America, and this is their take on the beer.  The dot detail on the side matches the Indian style of printing that they do on a thin paper.

How will this influence my work?: I cannot get enough of ornate hand-types right now.  I am also looking for a typeface for a carnival inspired ice cream, and this might be it.

Hand Rendered Type

Classification: This composition contains elements of both serif and sans-serif typography. These are all hand rendered, however some are taken directly from specific typefaces, such as the Didot-looking "a."

Object/Audience: This is simply a statement that is in the early stages of a draft. The different copy is meshed together using different forms, shapes, and types of type.

Message: This is a perfect example of how type enhances the communicated message. By establishing a sort of hierarchy and placing type on different axis' with embellishment on shapes it gives a certain flow to the intended message, which is literal in this example. It gives the viewer a certain path to follow, with what are more or less "landmarks" along the way.

Influence: This is a great example of all different kinds of typefaces (from gothic to sans) working well together. Instead of working independently as different copy normally would, such as in headings, sub-headings and body copy, they work in unison, as cohesive elements which really do justice to what is being communicated. This is a great influence to pull from when one is feeling that types just don't match.

Jen Stephenson

Source: Internet
Classification: San serif block letters stacked
Description: This is a 3d design installation piece focusing on typography by Jaime Gonzalez. It spells out "Are you talking to me?" and the letters are stacked in all different levels coming out of the all at the viewer making for an interesting composition. 
Enhancement: Even though the type is san serif, the letters are altered a bit to fit certain shapes. The entire sentence is white making the viewer focus on the placement of the words. I think that it is effective in giving off a certain attitude and tone with the sentence. And for it being so squished together, readability is still well done. 
Influence: This is an reminder that sometimes simple is better. It is also a reminder that even strongly focusing on one thing such as placement and dimension and ignoring something like color and still balance each other out for a successful piece. 

kosm.ici- Sam Popham

Source: kosm.ici monograph project book by Gabriela Namie that is a starting place for an app that focuses on media and how it is viewed as entertainment only instead of an opportunity for education using the works of Marshall Mcluhan, Vilem Flusser and Pierre Levy 'studying the role of media and it's contexts'.
Object Description: A very well organized and well designed book using well planned grids and typography and color.
Typeface Description: A mixture of sans serif and serif. Sans serifs are used for titles, headings and subheadings as well as the body. Serif typefaces are used only on left hand pages of full bleed typographic illustration and in the number of the chapter.
How does it enhance message? It feels very playful and educational and extremely well organized. The sans serif feel like a good balance of formality and informality. The serifs work well as compliment.
How will it influence me? When working in my own book, I hope to create such a cohesive design of color, photography, type and organization. I would like to experiment with full bleed photography and overlapping effects over photography in my book like shown here.

How 'bout them Cowboys | Andrea Johnson

This is a Cowboys pendant I've had hanging in my bedroom since around September. The Dallas Cowboys are pretty much a lost cause, and I am aware of that, but my love for them will never die.

Both typefaces on this pendant are sans serif. The one on the top is a script font.

The purpose of this pendant is simply to help someone express their pride and fandom of the Cowboys, so the purpose of the typography is to stand out and represent the team and their city.

The thing that stands out about this arrangement of type is the contrast between the 'Dallas' and 'Cowboys.' Although the 'Dallas' is script, it still has an edge to it, and it represents the city life of Dallas. The bold weight of the 'Cowboys' represents the strength and the solidity of the team that the Cowboys (should) have.

This will influence my work in the future because of its contrast. Contrast is a great solution for two word titles, and it can also work for larger, more intricate situations.

Bareknuckle Pickups

Source: scan of cover that came with my guitar pickups
Typeface classification: Script
Description: Bareknuckle Pickups are a guitar pickup company from England making versatile pickups for modern guitarists. They're logo features an old style bareknuckle boxer and their name in a classic script typeface.
How it enhances the message: The typeface enhances the image out of pure necessity I believe; the name alone harkens back to early boxing and the image of the fighter places it in a time where I would imagine script or very ornate typefaces would have been used for posters for a fight.
Influence: The typeface encourages to think of cultural and time considerations when using a particular typeface to add believability or accuracy to an image along with being visually pleasing.

Stacked

Classification: slab-serif

What is it?: This appears to be a 'type as texture' type project. While you can understand the message, there is an aesthetically appealing way in which this design was created. The way the colors were incorporated works because of the analogous color scheme, and it works wonderfully against the dark background. It seems to stand out, but not in such a way as the letters look separate from the background, rather that they are coming out of the background.

The typography is arranged in such a way that the rag on the right and left looks interesting as a shape (perhaps a building to hold the elevator?), and this method balances well in this piece. The subtle repetition of the typography in the background makes a great texture.

Influence: This is another great example of stacking type on top of each other, which I have always loved as a style. The texture of the text was done in such a way that might be interesting for future projects, as I usually just give the type a color. Using typography as a texture is also something I haven't tried before, and hope to try sometime soon.