Methodology Publication

Methodology Publication - The Concept

Following the two crits, I decided on creating a publication which followed my method through creating a typeface, focussing on one typeface which I had created recently - Simplex. This method is how I have been creating typefaces since I started my first one, and this has obviously been refined down to the point where I can apply it completely and come out with a good outcome.

I was originally going to show all the typefaces created using this method, however I think a more in depth look at the most recent typeface will allow me to be more specific and keep the read simple and easy to follow.

For this publication I have decided to split this down to two books. The first is the main publication, detailing the method from beginning to end. This will be called 'Construct'. This is because the publication looks through my method of constructing and creating a typeface. The second publication will be a short one just showing the finished typeface.

The design of these two publications will be identical to keep consistency. The overall approach will be simple layouts with chapters. Each chapter will have a narrative, and then a more in-depth explanation of how it applies to the typeface being constructed throughout the publication.



Interactive PDFs

Construct Methodology Publication

Simplex - Typeface Publication

Final Photos

Evaluation

I am really pleased with the way my publication turned out in the end. I feel that it was definitely the right thing for me to do. I think the final printed books works really well together, and I particularly like the use of the yellow stock. It worked out really well, as did the screw binding. The binding works a bit better on the larger book, due to the size of the smaller one being a bit too small for the screws, but nonetheless, I think it works well and you can't really tell.

I think the most successful part of this publication is the layout. I think that the layout is simple and clean with everything spaced out well so there's not too much information on every page. Creating a typeface is a huge amount of work, and it was a struggle to keep the pages from being too overwhelming with information, but I think I did a good job in making the content easily readable and easy to follow. The also think the inserts in work really well in displaying the written information without taking up space on the pages where it shows the initial digital development.

I think the smaller publication worked out well too. I initially had this content in the back of the larger publication, but I thought that having it separate would be better because it is the completed typeface, whereas the larger publication is the method and building of it.

For a short amount of time, I managed to create quite a substantial publication, so I am really pleased at my work ethic and the amount of effort I put into the publication. I wish I had decided on the content and design earlier so I had more time to refine it, but I think that overall it is consistent and the approach is reflective of the typeface created throughout the publication.

The only negative I have to say about the publication is that it was quite hard to photograph the interior pages because of the thickness of the book. Looking back at it, perhaps it would have been better to score/fold every page so they would open easier for this task. However they book opens fine when reading, so that's what's important.

Methodology Publication - Crit with Tony Broomhead

Today I took part in a crit with Tony Broomhead for the methodology publication. At this point I haven't really progressed since the last crit because I feel a bit at a loss of what to do in terms of the physical thing.

I explained my subject area chosen of looking into how I create a typeface, and about how I was having trouble deciding how to go about this.

After a lengthy discussion with Tony and the others on the table, I found that I had a much better idea of what I wanted to do, and a lot of really good ideas were put across.

One of the suggestions I really liked was that I should do a page of the set rules and then do a page by page of individual letters, in the order I create them. I really liked this idea as it's something very simple, and it shows my method in choosing the letters I create beginning until end.

It was agreed that I should definitely use all of my own content and not use any secondary sources, unless it's to do with a page about inspiration/influences, and that might not even be necessary. It depends on how I go about it.

I wrote down a list of everything to consider.

• How do I make a typeface?
• Set the rules & show how it applies to a typeface - first few pages setting rules & grid
• Very precise & methodical - a lot of patience
• Show order of how I create a typeface - what letters do I do first and why? How do I pick?
• Is this the same for all typefaces?
• Is it just for 1 typeface or will there be more in the publication?
• Create a typeface through the publication
• Show how I create a typeface - all the processes I go through
• Context & reasoning - why am I making the typeface?
• Why are some letters designed in the way they are in the typeface? Variations in letter design

After this crit I feel much better about the direction this publication, and I feel more confident in the content I have. I originally thought it might be quite a dry subject and be a boring publication, but I now feel that there are simple, but interesting things I can do to display it all in a more appealing and inviting way.

Methodology Publication - Crit

Today I took part in the first crit about the methodology/context publication that we have to produce as part of this module. In preparation I had come up with the idea that I was thinking of moving forward with.

I want to create a publication based around typography, and looking at my typographical experimentation and journey through the three years on the course, looking at things/people who have influenced my typographical design. Throughout this I want to show my own typefaces and their progress, from the very first one I did in first year, to the most recent one I have done to date. I also thought it would be a good idea to create a typeface specifically for the book, to be used in the headings.

The working title I have so far is Construct. This is because the publication looks into research and my own experimentation to how I construct a typeface.


The Crit

I presented this idea to the group I was with, and it was immediately said that I should definitely narrow it down further from looking at the huge range, to looking at something specific.

It was also suggested that if I look at something specific, I should look into the way I create a typeface more than looking at what other people have done. I should focus more on my own work and have all the content be completely my own. It was also said that I should look to focus more into the technical side of creating a typeface, as it is a very technical skill which needs a lot of time and patience.


Overall I think the feedback was helpful as it showed me that perhaps I was looking at quite a range of stuff when I should focus it down to one particular subject within Typography. While I have a bit of an idea of what to do, I still think I need a lot of refinement and direction in terms of how to go about it.