Typography Experience
Last week finally arrived the book Typography:
Macro- and Microaesthetics by Willi Kunz.
As it Published in 2003, I've thought: maybe it's outdated to read 20
years after. First pages as in many typography books are starting from basics
and dull overview, a little complex explanation, so my first attempts were
quickly ending after reading one page or two and taking a pause for 20-30
minutes to rest and analyze the material. After several attempts, I've started
to read it more comfortably and use Typography tips in my current project,
which required more attention to the type. Results vshown immediately. Where I
was doing new text blocks, they've looked more appropriate and readable. And
previous were changing to these new rules. I've started noticing my mistakes,
some of them were so obvious that I even turned red sometimes by realizing my
problem in this area.
I wasn't proficient in type as it looked strange to me to learn the
principles of type arrangement and how fonts are looking, to remember various
lists of font names, etc. And if this book was on my desk at the beginning of
my career, I probably wouldn't pay much attention to this material because the
fact that the value of good Typography grows only with time. Anyways, the number
of outstanding suggestions that are explained in this book is surprisingly
huge. Moreover, it covers the process of design that helps build advanced
compositions, in particular with materials with lengthy text information,
what's especially useful for beginner designers.
Previous book I've read "thinking with type" by Ellen Lupton
gave me more historical overview of typography and have shown many valuable
examples and good principles of using the type. But it's comparable to the car
exhibition, when in the same time Macro and Microaesthetics is similar to
visiting a Specialized Automobile service workshop, where you can see how cars
are assembled, which units they consist of, and how it works.
Overall feeling of specialization
I’m waiting for many other recently ordered books from Willi Kunz, Edward Tufte, Kimberly Elam that will be a good addition to my typography learning. Reading books isn’t so bad idea, especially if it’s related to my responsibilities and part of my work. But it helps to relax a bit from displays of the computer or mobile phone. You can put various books around the way at home and read them occasionally in short breaks, which will be quite comfortable to understand a small amount of information. It’s better when you can use a notepad to put some notes and ideas while you’re reading the book. It helps understand the material more deeply, and later remember what you’ve been reading. But the best option is when I take a short example and use it in my work practice. It narrows down options I can do during the day by learning just the main subject and not dispersing on other activities (which will be not so efficient). You just creating the environment for the growth and everything fells like supporting your idea.
36 days of type
I’ve seen many posts around the internet about how helpful was a 36 Days of Type challenge for people. Especially in conjunction with 3D illustrations and animations. But currently don’t have serious intentions about that. Maybe will start checking hashtag on Instagram with works of others soon, with a closer attention.
Useful websites I've found
TDC.org- Type Directors Club, and it’s typography and design awards archive - oneclub.org
Pentagram design agency/studio. Incredible design works and typography usage. Usually, they’re providing design showcase and sometimes detailed screens of websites or other materials. So, it’s quite useful to learn more from their level. Also, very comfortable mobile version of the website.
Pinterest – text inspiration search works great as for the starting point of the journey.
Application and practice
Where will I use it? Well, if I write the answer “it depends” it will be not truth. Any letter and word have its own personality. And they definitely will show it probably in any project. Typography has its own dimension in 2d-3d worlds. It can provoke senses in the same way as animation, just by connecting with the meaning of the idea transmitted from the author to the viewer. Words can kill, it’s not a joke. So, the power of type isn’t so distant and miserable. It can be far closer to the viewer then the design itself.
Type and motion
By applying the rules of typography, it will be much easier to tune up the animation, so it will be more dynamic and usable. If reader’s speed is slow, and animation is short it will be needed to do text more contrast, distinctive. So, every smallest detail can play a role. By understanding the importance of typography, I can interrupt the render and improve the codec quality, or change the background, add sharpness and other any possible options, decrease the number of frames per seconds, to make text look better, readable and impactful. Or even, plan the animation ahead according to the available text frames. The rest will be supportive.
Transformation
By making a decision of specialization in Typography I’ve made a right choice because proper and clean message is always the right way. The title forms the path which will be used for other people. And each human is a gift of this universe, God’s child that brings ideas to this world. A right type will lead ideas and transmit them to others. If money is for business, then text is for sharing ideas. It was already for a thousand of years, so why it will be somehow different in another millennia?
I will continue this observation for another 3 months and hopefully will write about the experience in another post.
I’m grateful for everyone, who’re subscribed and reading my blog. It helps me move forward and stay organized every day and week.
Till next time!
Wishing you a great MotionDay, motion fellows!