Typographic Script
The penultimate brief set in our Typographic series is based on scripts from well known films and sitcoms. The task is to create a visual book based on one of the scripts given, translating the characters lines into strong typographic elements, emphasizing on the scenes and characteristics of each character. With this I am able to choose two other typefaces which relate to the other characters and base one character on my DIY alphabet.
For the choice of scripts to choose from there is: Friends, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Blackadder IV and Pulp Fiction. I chose to do Harry Potter as I felt my DIY Alphabet fit in with the character of Hagrid rather well.
For the choice of scripts to choose from there is: Friends, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Blackadder IV and Pulp Fiction. I chose to do Harry Potter as I felt my DIY Alphabet fit in with the character of Hagrid rather well.
Choice of Scripts
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Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
My choice of script was Harry Potter. I grew up with the books and film's as a child and still to this day watch them every year without fail! The series is adventurous, funny, gripping and heart wrenching all at the same time. The characters are so well written and thought through, it is definitely a favorite.
I also mainly chose this film as I am well aware of all the other choice's of scripts and have watched them all and enjoyed them, however, my DIY Alphabet is based on nature and the one character which has strong traits regarding my alphabet was Hagrid. I believe the typeface and the character fit very well together.
I also mainly chose this film as I am well aware of all the other choice's of scripts and have watched them all and enjoyed them, however, my DIY Alphabet is based on nature and the one character which has strong traits regarding my alphabet was Hagrid. I believe the typeface and the character fit very well together.
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Harry Potter and the Philosopher's stone is the first story to the 7 book series and the first film to 8 part film series. It was published by the author J.K. Rowling on the 26th June 1997 and created into a film in 2001.
The main plot of is about Harry Potter a young wizard who doesn't know it yet, who's parents were murdered by an evil wizard named Voldemort. The series follows Harry's adventurous life of finding his way through life, discovering his powerful abilities in the wizarding world, whilst also juggling school, step families, friendship and nearly dyeing on numerous occasions whilst trying to defeat Voldemort.
The main plot of is about Harry Potter a young wizard who doesn't know it yet, who's parents were murdered by an evil wizard named Voldemort. The series follows Harry's adventurous life of finding his way through life, discovering his powerful abilities in the wizarding world, whilst also juggling school, step families, friendship and nearly dyeing on numerous occasions whilst trying to defeat Voldemort.
Character's
Albus Dumbledore
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Traits
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Potential Typefaces
Professor McGonagall
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Traits
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Potential Typefaces
Rubeus Hagrid
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Traits
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Potential Typefaces
Layout & Pages
Before I decide on typeface's it's important that I looked at the script and divided the lines and characters into individual pages. I was able to do this by looking at what the lines were and imaging the depth of conversation and sense of tone that I wanted to convey, I aim to do this by either a double page spread or one line on a single page etc.
I may change my mind along the way however for now this is my ideal.
I may change my mind along the way however for now this is my ideal.
I haven't decided if I will do A4 format above or 250x250 square below. I was experimenting in InDesign to see which I preferred.
Typography Emphasis and Word Play Research
As the task is mainly Typographic with the objective of emphasizing on words and lettering rather than drawing I was drawn to the idea of creating any drawings that I would like to include to add to the pages and create the depth to each scene by using Typography to draw and create imagery. I am going to only use certain aspects one or 2, not on every page of this idea.
I will experiment with layout and word play before I pick any imagery to use for definite.
I will experiment with layout and word play before I pick any imagery to use for definite.
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Thumbnail Sketches
Hetronyms
One the weekly task's set was based on Heteronyms and how to use typography to display the meaning or use of 2 of the same word.
I really enjoyed this task and if had more time would of completed some more as it pushed the boundaries of thinking and creating using typography instead of drawing. This method was really good in helping understand ways of communicating creatively and thinking outside the box.
I really enjoyed this task and if had more time would of completed some more as it pushed the boundaries of thinking and creating using typography instead of drawing. This method was really good in helping understand ways of communicating creatively and thinking outside the box.
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Harry Potter Book
Beginning and Developing Ideas
Before I moved into creating my work digitally I began with sketching out thumbnails in my sketch book to help give me some guidance rather than just starting and having no clear way to begin.
Looking back at this work I knew I wasn't overly inspired, it felt I was trying to create something more based on what I know about the book and film series and focus on making it look 'readable'.
I began taking my idea's into Photoshop and Illustrator and used grids to guide me as this is where I felt most comfortable working.
Again, these did not feel like 'me' and didn't really shout any inspiration to me.
I began taking my idea's into Photoshop and Illustrator and used grids to guide me as this is where I felt most comfortable working.
Again, these did not feel like 'me' and didn't really shout any inspiration to me.
In the initial stage I chose Harrison's typeface 'Aiken' for Dumbledore. I do really like this typeface it's so unique and modern and at the time I wanted to see how it worked.
Sadly I couldn't get the vision and impact that I had in my head. It's a great typeface and if we do a similar project in the future I would love to use this, however this time I don't think it matched what I was after. |
For McGonagall's typeface I chose Liza Display, again not won over by the swirly-ness and relaxed fit my predictions were noticed in a tutorial by Zoe and agreed these two typefaces did not match or work together. If your creative gut instinct is telling you and others then you must agree!
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Developing Ideas
Here I tried to keep going with my design's but they aren't great and definitely are not my style. However I am glad I went down this route to know it wasn't going to go much further, otherwise I could of created work was not happy with and spent a lot of time not improving my skills.
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The First Design
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After and agreement that these were not working and not really saying much at all it was back to the drawing board. I was ready to get some good idea's down and create something powerful and visually pleasing aswell.
Round 2
I began back in my sketch book, this time I was inspired. I changed my typeface choice's for Dumbledore and McGonagall and this time I was able to apply these two to work well together. I had issues previously with trying to fill the white empty spaces I am not a fan and I believe the Harry Potter series to be fairly dark, therefore, I wanted to create this dark mysterious and kind of twisted layout. I got into repetition, overlay's and removing colour from the words to evoke strong meaning in the words and to keep it going throughout the book.
I felt a lot happier with my design's and preferred my choice of typeface's as I believed they worked much better together.
For Dumbledore's typeface I chose Alegreya. I chose this typeface as it seemed classic and traditional without being too much and still being readable.
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For McGonagall's typeface I chose Manisha's Kudarat. I really liked this typeface as it's classic serif make it easily readable yet the small swirls going off give it some real character. I thought this was a much better fit.
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Developing idea's
Now that I had some idea of what I wanted to do I started taking them into photoshop and developing them into finished designs. Below I have added screenshots whilst I was working.
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I was really starting to have a proper feel for my theme and I'm so glad I persisted with something else, I much preferred using more black and creating contrast and shapes through the words, I feel like this makes it much more interesting for the eye.
The Finished Book
The Boy Who Lived
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Overall I am happy with my outcome, I'm really glad I started again and began creating something that truly felt was more inspiring to me. Some parts are extremely over crowded and could of been scaled down, however I know for future reference to learn from this and keep adapting my skills to the brief and learning from past mistakes to make my process and outcome for future designs to be created at a higher standard, to keep striving to be better.