Exquisite Corpse research

Exquisite corpse is a method by which a collection of words or images is collectively assembled.  It was created in 1925 by french surrealists.  Surrealism is an art based on non realism.

Creative Process

A series of steps repeated every time you design something.

1.  Improve consistency.

2.  Ability to time and plan your work.

3.  Raise quality of your work.

4.  Communicate more effectively and in a more professional manner.

research-The more you know, the easier the project will be! Research the client and the competition.  Get online, look in magazines, listen to music, pay attention to the world around you...whatever you need to do to get inspired.

brainstorm/inspiration-Striving to be unique and innovate while still following the current trends, ensures a fresh and creative approach.

sketch-Thumbnails, thumbnails, and more thumbnails.  Sketch to get your thoughts out and to work through ideas.

execute-Implement your ideas.  Combine type and imagery, into a well developed composition.  Utilize design principles and visual organization guidelines to help.  Try techniques, explore possible options, and analyze the outcome.  If you get stuck, walk away and clear your head.  If the piece doesn't look how you imagined, and it isn't working, try another idea.  Forcing an idea won't result in a good design.

critique and revise-Take a step back, (literally) and look at your design with an objective eye.  Make sure the design effectively conveys the message to the intended audience.  If it doesn't, go back and tweak the composition until it does!  Asking others for their opinion will help with this process.

Rules of Composition for digital photography

Snapshot-A quick shot, often spontaneous, taken to record a moment in time.


Photograph-An image taken with care and thought.


Rule of thirds-Imaginary lines drawn dividing the frame of your camera into thirds, both horizontally and vertically.


Leading lines-Use the lines created within the foreground or background of the composition to lead the viewer's eye through the photo.


Point of view-Change the way your subject is perceived by changing the camera position.


Simplicity-Keep your background simple and clear of clutter.

Semester Reflection

I learned alot about graphics and design this semester.  I learned about elements of design, color theory, principles of design, and typography.  I also learned more about how to use a computer such as using different tools in illustrator and photoshop.  I even learned how to use different lines, shapes, textures, spaces, values, colors, photos, characters, and typefaces in different designs.  I would like to continue doing more next semester and hope that I can be able to learn more about graphics and designs to do better and not make too many mistakes.

Review Week 17

Go to www.ilovetypography.com. Under "Popular Articles", click on "Who Shot the Serif?" Read the article. At the end of the article, the author asks a question. Answer that question in this post and discuss your findings.



Have you learned something?


I learned that the serif originated from ancient Rome where people first painted letters onto stone before carving them.  The brush strokes leave wider sections at the base of the letters and the those sections are carved over along with the rest of the letter.  I also learned that the Japanese term of the same word (uruko) means "fish scales".

Review Week 16

How many points are in an inch? How many points are in a pica?
There are 72 points in an inch.  There are 12 points in a pica.
Of the seven classifications, which classification(s) would best work as body type? Why?
Slab serif, san serif, old style, and modern because the designs are kept simple.
Identify the lowercase characters that have ascenders?
t, i, d, f, h, j, k, l, and b
Identify the lowercase characters that have descenders?q, y, and p
Classify the following typefaces and briefly explain why you believe it should be classified that way:

Slab serif because it has thick block-like serifs.Casual script because it looks like its been written with a brush.
Decorative because it has a distinctive design style.
San serif because it doesn't have serifs.Blackletter because it is highly ornamental.Old style because it has wedge shaped angled serifsModern because it has thin flat serifs.

Podcast #4 Typography

Define typography?Typography is the art of expressing ideas through the selection of appropriate typefaces.
Where did the word "typography" originate from?Typography comes from the Greek words that mean form and writing.
What does typography involve?Typography involves creating and modifying type using a variety of illustration techniques.
What is a typeface?A typeface is a distictive design of visual symbols that are used to compose a printed image/design.
What is another term for typeface?Font is another term for typeface.
What is a character?A character is an individual symbol that makes up a typeface.
What is type style?Type style is a modification in a typeface.
What does type style "create" within a design?Type style creates design variety while maintaining the visual style of the typeface.
What is the waist line and what does it indicate?The waist line is the imaginary line drawn at the middle of the characters.
What is a base line and what does it indicate?The base line is the imaginary line drawn at the bottom of the characters.
What is an ascender?An ascender is the part of the character that extends above the waist line.
What is a descender?A descender is the part of the character that extends below the base line.
Describe a serif?A serif is a smaller line used to finish off a main stroke of a letter, usually at the top and bottom of a character.
How can the size of the typeface be identified?The size of the typeface can be identified by the point size.
What is a point?A point is the unit used in the measurement of point size.
How many points are in an inch?There are 72 points in an inch.
What is a pica and how many are in an inch?A pica is a unit of type size and line length.  There are 6 picas in an inch.
How many points are in a pica?There are 12 points in a pica.
What is body type and where can it be found?Body type is the type size that ranges from 4 pt through 12 pt type.  These sizes are found in places where threre is alot of text to be read.
What is the key to selecting appropriate typefaces to be used as body type?
Readability is the key to appropriate body type.
What is display type and how is it used?Display type is type size above 12 pt.  Typically, these sizes are used to draw attention to a message [headlines, subheadlines,etc].
What is reverse type and when would it be used?Reverse type consistes of white type on a solid black or darker color background.  If the text is too small, reverse type can be difficult on the reader's eye.  Display type is necissary.
What is a typeface classification?A typeface classification was devised in the 19th century when printers sought to identify a heritage for their own craft. 
When was Blackletter invented and how was it used?Blackletter is the earliest of the typefaces . It was used with the inventions of the printing press in the mid 1400s.
Describer the characteristics of a Blackletter typeface?Blackletter typefaces resemble the calligraphy of the time and are highly ornamental with elaborate thick to thin strokes.
When was Old Style invneted and what was is based on?It was used with the inventions of the printing press in the mid 1400s.  It was based on ancient Roman inscriptions and created to replace Blackletter typefaces.
Describe the characteristics of an Old Style typeface?Typefaces in this classification have wedge-shaped, angled serifs and a low contrast of their thick/thin strokes.
When were formal scripts developed?Formal scripts developed from formal writings of 17th and 18th century handwriting masters.  They will lend a formal quality to a composition.
When were casual scripts developed?Casual scripts developed in the 20th century.
Describe the characteristics of a Script typeface?Scripts should not be used as small body text.  It would be too difficult to read.
When was Modern typefaces developed and why?The Modern classification was developed in the late 18th and 19th centuries as a radical break from traditional typography of the time.
Describe the characteristics of a Modern typeface?Modern typefaces have a sharp contrast between thick and thin strokes and have thin, flat serifs.
How early can Sans Serif typefaces be found? What happened?San serif typefaces can be found as early as the 5th century however, the Italian Renaissance return to Old Style made the San Serif classification obsolete in the 20th century.
When did they become popular?It became popular in the 1920s.
What does "sans serif" mean?San serif lterally means "without serifs".
Describe the characteristics of a Sans Serif typeface?Its strokes are uniform in weight and have a monotone appearance.
When was Slab Serif developed and why?The Slab Serif classification was developed in the 19th century for advertising purposes.
Describe the characteristics of a Slab Serif typeface?It's mainly used for decorative purposes and headlines.
Describe Decorative typefaces?These typefaces have the most distictive design style.
Why were they developed?They were developed with a specific purpose, or theme, in mind.
What are they best used for?
They are best used for larger point sizes, or display type.