Thirty-Five Plates
There are infinite ways to handle typography. Sometimes the limitless possibilities can be overwhelming – there are so many variables and directions to go in, the blank page may feel like a vast ocean with no land in sight. To overcome this challenge, many designers choose to set limitations in their process using a morphology.
Assignment
Using the morphology and content provided, explore the possibilities and iterations of a wide range of typographic variables. Select one serif and one sans serif typeface to use throughout the entire assignment. In Adobe InDesign, produce several typographic studies or plates in which these specific typographic variables are explored. The final result will be 7 sections consisting of 5 plates each, for a total of 35 plates. You will then design a title page, divider pages, and a colophon and bind all of your plates together in a portfolio book. This assignment is based on a project taught by Matt Monk at RISD.

Section 1
Constants: 9pt
type, serif only, regular weight, 14pt leading only
Variables: alignment, measure, letterspacing, placement, case
Section 2
Constants: 9pt
type, serif only, regular weight
Variables: all previous variables, plus leading
Section 3
Constants: 9pt
type, serif, regular weight
Variables: all previous variables, plus sans serif typeface, bold
Section 4
Constants: serif, regular weight; sans serif, bold
Variables: all previous variables, plus point size
Section 5
Constants: serif, any weight; sans serif, bold
Variables: all previous variables, plus serif weight, italic, oblique, small caps
Section 6
Constants: serif, any weight; sans serif, any weight
Variables: all previous variables, plus sans serif weight, photographic image, color
Section 7, title, colophon, and dividers
Make your own rules
Student Work
The following images are selections from multiple students' books. The designers are Gwen Stinger, Chloe Yeager, John Sawyer, Leanna Schrock, Pigeon Lige Lu, Jiyoon Cha, Noelle Choy, Matt Klein, and Lexi Forster. Click the images to enlarge.
