I love the trend of people holding up words on a page, but I hadn't seen words on a page used in places to convey meaning, thoughts, or emotions. Take these 3 photos by Seokmin Hong featured in the book Playing with Type: 50 graphic experiments for exploring typographic design principles. What would you take away from seeing this out and about in the city?
Try it out! Lara McCormick has the perfect exercise:
1. Think about type as it relates to its environment. How does its meaning change?
2. Choose a favorite/interesting word and design an 8 1⁄2" 3 11" (22 3 28 cm) flyer utilizing the word in a bold, readable manner. The design should be black on white, landscape, with the word centered on the page. Use a typeface that is big, bold, and legible from a distance. San serifs are highly recommended (Helvetica Bold works great). Make copies of the word flyer on paper of any color.
3. Head to an urban area; bring your word flyers, a role of tape, and a camera. Walk around the area and post the flyers in considered places. Take photographs, both close-ups and distance shots, from unexpected angles. Take at least twenty photos.
4. Look through your photos and select ten that work together to form a narrative. Let your narrative flow from the photos. Then narrow your narrative down to five images, and place them in an order that best tells the intended story.
Hmmm, I am definitely going to try this. Step 1. Figure out what word I'm going to use. STRESS is a good one, maybe I'll start with it and then try another word next time.
Share with us! We want to see what words you came up with and what photos you took. Upload them to social media and use the hashtage #CraftsideCreation. We'll share anything we see!
More about the Rockport book:
Playing with Type: 50 graphic experiments for exploring typographic design principles
Playing with Type is a hands-on, playful approach to learning type application and principles. This engaging guide begins with an introduction to the philosophy of learning through the process of play. Along with a series of experimental design projects with an emphasis on type, the author provides designers with a “toolkit” of ideas and skills developed through the process of play. The awareness and sensitivity to type styles, forms, and type choices gained through these visual experiments will increase the designer’s confidence in their personal and professional work. This book can be used in the classroom or independently, and readers can go directly to exercises that appeal to them.
Lara McCormick completed her MFA in design from the School of Visual Arts, and has a post-graduate degree in Typography from Cooper Union. She is currently the Head of Design Education at CreativeLive. She is obsessed with all things type and is constantly looking to push it in new directions. She lives in San Francisco, CA. Visit her online at http://www.laramc.com.
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