DAY 5

HMA 4

Project Description

Taking studies from HMA 2 and HMA 3, create motion studies of them entering and leaving the screen. Four (2 block, 2 composition) from HMA 2 make up the first half of a simple fade in and fade out. Then four successful compositions from HMA 3 will enter or leave the screen using the x/y axis.

Thoughts

I'm really excited about this project because we are finally using our typography in motion rather than just critically looking it as still images on pages. This is a great way to simply look at typography on screen. It gives us a look at solving questions such as: how long does type need to be actively viewable for it to be readable? At what size do we lose type? What interesting ways can we introduce and exit phrases to engage the viewer?

Critique Notes
Most of the compositions are very small. The second composition in part 2 has lines that are uncomfortably tight. They just need more air and another look at word spacing. Overall this study was well received from the class. (I blame Ed's constant nagging that I became so picky with my motion... I noodled around in motion graphs because I could just hear him in the back of my mind about easing in and out!)

DAY 4

HMA 3
Project Description
Going along the same ideas as the previous studies, we created eight new studies introducing font face variation as another level of complexity with the phrase "Make your decisions decisive and avoid ambiguity". This was just to push our compositions further and explore different variations to Garamond and Frutiger (bold, light, black, regular, condensed, etc) playing with the same rules we were previously given.

Thoughts
In these studies I was suppose to find a good way to solidify my compositions with the help of some sort of structural format (like grids/boxes). So I tried to do that.

I think a lot of the ones I did need refining but over all I liked the process work for these even if it was still kind of simple and limited to the previous studies. I didn't do anything super crazy, though, but I feel more secure about making compositions: defining solid horizons and verticals.

Notes
I don't really remember much from critique.. I might have zoned out a bit. I am pretty sure there were comments made on readability and hierarchy. How we should really keep those in mind while playing with weights and creating our compositions.  Also to avoid trapped areas and stair stepping.


VIDEO
Watched the end part of David Carson TED video. 

DAY 3

HMA2
Project Description
Following along with the first studies, 8 new studies with scale and weight variation to the type along with the phrase "Type blocks or compositions, pick one". These studies were broken up, 4 studies based on setting the phrase in a block format and 4 studies looking at setting the phrase in a composition.

Thoughts
I think I really enjoy creating blocks with text but I have a long way to go to get them to look really clean. A lot of my studies turned out a little too tight and awkward. Going back to fix these I opened them up a lot.

Creating compositions are a bit of a challenge only because I don't have a really good eye for finding dominate horizons and verticals while I am working out the structure.

Notes
Add more space and allow more movement in the compositions.


Video
We watched the first part of a TED video with designer David Carson.

DAY 2

HMA1
Project Description
These were simple placement studies, exploring how to activate a blank canvas with a line of text. We were to do six studies on breaking lines and placement on the phrase "Breaking line + placement studies." using the required type faces and sizes. And is it possible to create a resolved composition with no extra elements?

Thoughts
I wasn't really clear on how far I could push these since I assumed they were meant to be as simple as possible. Looking back I kind of wish I had a bit more fun with just using one size and one font face.

Notes
Every blank canvas as a middle and a third to activate. Do not right justify text. Do not use auto letting.

DAY 1

About Me

This blog belongs to an aspiring designer and animator named Chelsea Bennett. It is to document all my progress in my Type II spring semester class in 2012. I was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. Was home schooled and private schooled most of my life. Spent a few years working at a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center for adolescents. I have had this crazy dream to become an animator since I was a child. I currently live right next to Indian Beach in Sarasota with my adopted puppy, Maci. I'm also super crazy addicted to coffee.