ANNE JORDAN • MFA

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Typographic Form

Choose two text typefaces from the specimens shown in your textbooks: one serif and one sans serif, that fit into the five classifications. Find two you like and some information about them: who designed them, when, where, and why. Be prepared to speak briefly about the faces you chose.

Inspect the two alphabets carefully and identify four letters from each face that have distinguishing characteristics. Which details make these two typefaces unique? How can you tell these typefaces apart from others?

Assignment
On 3 x 3 inch squares surrounded by a 0.25 point black rule, present sections of the letterforms that highlight your face’s unique personality. Crop, shift, rotate and scale the letters in the square space, seeking dynamic relationships and contrast between form and counterform. Keep in mind you can interchange, or reverse out, the black and white spaces.

Start by printing out your letterforms and use croppers, tracing paper and a black marker to draw thumbnails. Produce many thumbnails per letter before moving to the computer.

Observe the point at which the letterform is no longer recognizable, the moment where the letterform no longer reads. How much of the letterform is essential to its legibility? Which parts are more important than others?

Choose the eight most successful sections and arrange them in a 2 x 4 grid. Your composition should ask the viewer to focus on the distinguishing characteristics of the faces.

Consider the form/counterform relationships created by your placement in the grid. Explore rhythmic patterns, visual transitions, and the flow of typographic elements. Find visual relationships between all adjacent squares, relating all parts to a dynamic, harmonious, and unified whole.

Deliverables
High-quality print of final grid, optically centered on an 11 x 17 inch page.


Student Work