Advanced Typography: Task 2 Key Artwork & Collateral
ADVANCED TYPOGRAPHY - TASK 2 KEY ARTWORK & COLLATERAL
Week 5
Ad Typo_5_Perception And Organisation
In typography, perception refers to how a reader visually navigates and interprets content through elements such as contrast, form, and structure. This perception shapes the way information is received and understood. While content may include text, images, graphics, or color, our primary focus here is on typographic communication.
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| Figure 1.1 Methods of Contrast by Rudi Ruegg, Week 5 (23/05/2025) |
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| Figure 1.3 Contrast in Weight / Week 5 (23/05/2025) |
Contrast in weight refers to how bold or heavy type can visually stand out among lighter text of the same typeface. While using bold is a common approach, other elements — such as rules (lines), spots, or solid squares — can also create areas of visual weight. These "heavy areas" serve as strong points of emphasis or attraction, meaning contrast in weight is not limited to just type, but can include graphic elements as well.
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| Figure 1.4 Contrast in Form / Week 5 (23/05/2025) |
Contrast of form refers to the visual distinction between different shapes or styles within the same typeface. This includes contrasts such as:
Uppercase vs. lowercase letters
Roman (upright) vs. italic
Condensed vs. expanded versions of a typeface
These variations create visual interest and can be used to differentiate information or emphasize specific elements within a layout.
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| Figure 1.5 Contrast in Structure / Week 5 (23/05/2025) |
Contrast of structure refers to the visual differences between letterforms from different typeface classifications. For example, comparing a monoline sans serif with a traditional serif, or an italic typeface with a blackletter, highlights structural variation. This type of contrast emphasizes the inherent design characteristics of each typeface, helping to create strong differentiation and visual tension within the composition.
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| Figure 1.6 Contrast in Texture / Week 5 (23/05/2025) |
Contrast of texture emerges when differences in size, weight, form, and structure are combined and applied to blocks of text. Texture refers to the overall visual appearance of text — how lines of type look both up close and from a distance. It is influenced by the design of the letterforms themselves, as well as the arrangement of type on the page (such as spacing, leading, and alignment). Texture creates rhythm, depth, and tone in typographic composition.
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| Figure 1.7 Contrast in Direction / Week 5 (23/05/2025) |
Opposition of vertical and horizontal
– Placing elements in opposing directions instantly creates contrast.
Use of angled or diagonal direction
– Adds energy and movement to the composition.
Rotating a single word or line of text
– For example, turning one word vertically among horizontal lines creates a strong focal point.
Contrasting wide text blocks with narrow columns
– Mixing long lines with short lines introduces rhythm and variation.
Combining multiple directions in one layout
– Such as placing a diagonal heading with horizontal body text for layered visual flow.
Contrast of colour relies on the use of different hues and tonal values to create emphasis and hierarchy.
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| Figure 1.8 Contrast in Colour / Week 5 (23/05/2025) |
Colour is often less emphatic than black on white
– A second colour usually carries less visual weight than the stark contrast of plain black text on a white background.
Consider what needs to be emphasizedPay attention to tonal value
Low-contrast colour choices can weaken hierarchy
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| Figure 1.9 Form Examples / Week 5 (23/05/2025) |
Key points:
Form defines the visual personality of typography
– It contributes to the tone, mood, and first impression of the design.It affects how the eye moves across the page
– A well-designed form guides the viewer’s eye naturally from one point to another.Visually engaging form holds attention
– Good form is not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing and memorable.Form can entertain and inform simultaneously
– It enhances both clarity and creativity within typographic layouts.Balance between function and expression
– Strong typographic form supports legibility while also delivering emotional or conceptual impact.
Typography as Form & Function
Typography can be understood as having two primary functions:
To represent a concept
To express that concept in a visual form
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| Figure 1.10 Examples / Week 5 (23/05/2025) |
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| Figure 1.11 Examples / Week 5 (23/05/2025) |
When type is used as a form, it highlights the unique shapes and visual characteristics of letterforms. This approach often emphasizes abstraction over readability, shifting the focus from the literal meaning to visual expression.
Typographic compositions that balance form and meaning achieve both functional clarity and visual expression. When type is perceived as form rather than text, it can become:
- Distorted
- Textured
- Enlarged
- Extruded into space
These manipulations alter the legibility, allowing the type to function more as visual shape than as textual content. The result is a harmonious interplay between communication and design aesthetic.
Organisation / Gestalt
Gestalt is a German word meaning “form” or “structure.” It refers to how we perceive elements as unified wholes rather than separate parts.
- Based on the idea that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
- Explains how we group visual elements to create meaning.
- Introduced by psychologist Max Wertheimer.
- In typography and design, it helps establish visual order, hierarchy, and clarity.
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| Figure 1.12 Examples / Week 5 (23/05/2025) |
Displaying type as form highlights the unique characteristics of letterforms and their abstract presentation. The balance between meaning and form creates harmony in both function and expression.
When a typeface is viewed purely as form, it goes beyond reading as a letter. Through manipulation — such as distortion, texture, enlargement, or extrusion — the letterform transforms into a visual object rather than a readable element.
1. Law of Similarity
- Elements that are similar in color, orientation, size, or motion tend to be perceived as a unified group.
- Items placed close together are seen as related, while elements that are farther apart are perceived as separate.
- Our minds tend to complete incomplete shapes or forms, filling in gaps in visual information to create a whole.
- Humans perceive elements as continuous, even when they intersect, as long as they align in a consistent manner.
- We perceive symmetrical shapes as unified and stable, creating a sense of balance.
- The mind prefers simple, organized forms and tends to interpret complex images in their simplest, most stable configurations.
TASK 2 (A): KEY ARTWORK
Instruction:
- Design a wordmark or lettering based on your first name, pet name, or pseudonym — with a minimum of 4-5 characters.
- Experiment with various permutations and combinations of your name to create different wordmark styles.
- The final artwork should be an elegant, well-balanced, and composed design that is clear and effective, avoiding unnecessary complexity or confusion while successfully communicating the intended message.
A wordmark must have a distinct visual identity that evokes a strong brand presence, as a brand is often defined by a gut feeling. The wordmark should be both memorable and easy to pronounce. Ensure that the wordmark contains at least four letters. Take the time to brainstorm and reflect on the meaning of your name or any concepts you wish to convey through it.
Submission Requirements:
- File Format: JPEG, grayscale, 300ppi
- Wordmark Versions:
Black wordmark on a white background
White wordmark on a black background
- Colour Palette: Create and include a colour palette (using tools like Colour Hunt)
- Colour Variations:
Wordmark in the actual colour on the lightest shade of the colour palette
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| Figure 3.1.1 Mind Map / Week 4 (18/05/2025) |
I decided to choose my name because I really like it and it reflects my personality. In addition, the name translates as "moon", which inspired me to create visual images associated with the night sky, soft light, mystery and tranquility.
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| Figure 3.1.2 Moodboard / Week 4 (18/05/2025) |
To find interesting styles and ideas for wordmark design, I started looking for references on Pinterest. I have compiled a selection of images of logos, fonts, moon motifs, minimalistic and decorative solutions. This helped me identify the overall mood and possible visual directions for the project.
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| Figure 3.2.3 Sketches / Week 4 (18/05/2025) |
In the process, I decided to add unique graphic elements that convey my personality and visual aesthetics.: I wanted to draw the letter "D" in the shape of a crescent moon. The crescent moon symbolizes dreaminess, intuition and femininity, which reflects my personality and approach to design. In addition, I added small stars above the letter "I" to enhance the associations with the night sky, fantasy and lightness. It also makes the wordmark more memorable and playful. I experimented with shapes, letter combinations, as well as with rhythm and contrast between elements. I created some sketches in several versions, with different line thicknesses and serif styles. These ideas formed the basis for further digital refinement in Adobe Illustrator.
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| Figure 3.3.1 Digitise sketches in Adobe Illustrator/ Week 4 (18/05/2025) |
During the development of the wordmark, I decided to use two fonts: Minion Variable Concept and Arima Koshi, available through Google Fonts. I did not choose these typefaces by chance — each of them complements the visual concept and helps to express the character of my name through typography. I used the Minion Variable Concept for its classic proportions, elegance and expressive serifs. It gives the wordmark a sense of maturity, sophistication, and visual balance, especially in capital letters. This font emphasizes seriousness and a professional approach well, while maintaining its artistry.
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| Figure 3.3.2 Digitise sketches in Adobe Illustrator/ Week 6 (27/05/2025) |
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| Figure 3.3.3 Progression #1 in Adobe Illustrator/ Week 6 (27/05/2025) |
However, a problem arose: the letter "D" in the shape of a crescent visually resembled the letter "J", especially in combination with the rest of the letters. To test the perception, Mr. Vinod and I conducted a small test and asked my classmates how they read this word. Most of them read it as "JINA" instead of "DINA", which violated the readability and idea of the wordmark.
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| Figure 3.3.5 Progression #3 with grid/ Week 6 (27/05/2025) |
During the digital refinement of the wordmark, I used a geometric grid based on a square, as Mr. Vinod showed in class. This helped me to accurately build the composition and achieve uniformity in the thickness of the letters. I carefully measured the elements so that each letter looked balanced and visually consistent with the rest. This approach allowed me to keep the shapes clean and achieve accuracy in the final version of the wordmark, especially in those details where there are decorative elements — a crescent moon and stars.
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| Figure 3.4.2 Animation Key Artwork GIF / Week 6 (05/06/2025) |
Figure 3.4.2 Key Artwork Animation GIF / Week 6 (05/06/2025)
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| Figure 3.5.1 Black wordmark on white background - JPEG / Week 8 (13/06/25) |
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| Figure 3.5.2 White wordmark on black background - JPEG / Week 8 (13/06/25) |
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| Figure 3.5.3 Colour Palette - JPEG / Week 8 (13/06/25) |
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| Figure 3.5.4 Neutral Shade wordmark on lightest shade of colour palette - JPEG / Week 8 (13/06/25) |
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| Figure 3.5.5 Light Shade wordmark on darkest shade of colour palette - JPEG / Week 8 (13/06/25) |
TASK 2 (B): COLLATERAL
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| Figure 4.1.1 Reference for idea / Week 8 (11/06/2025) |
- decorative cosmetics, candles (highlighters, shadows, glitters),
- packaging for creams or serums,
- design of advertising banners and brand merchandise.
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| Figure 4.2.2 Wordmark Variations / Week 8 (11/06/2025) |
- Face cream is a package on which the wordmark works as a logo, creating associations with tenderness, care and radiance of the skin.
- The scented candle is a stylish object of care and relaxation, which uses my signature style with elements of the moon and stars.
- A branded packaging bag is a craft or glossy package that serves not only as packaging, but also as part of the brand's visual identity, emphasizing its aesthetics.
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Collateral #2 - Promo candle
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| Figure 4.2.8 Collateral #3 - Packing bag layout designs / Week 8 (12/06/2025) |
Additionally, I chose a light blue shade from my brand’s color palette to use as the main color for the bag, reflecting freshness and softness. I also added a subtle pattern featuring stars and moon shapes, which connects to the original concept of my wordmark. This helped to reinforce the visual identity and make the packaging more unique and memorable.
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| Figure 4.2.11 Additional mockup #2 / Week 8 (12/06/2025) |
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| Figure 4.3.1 Inspiration / Week 8 (12/06/2025) |
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| Figure 4.3.3 Attempt #1 / Week 8 (12/06/2025) |
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| Figure 4.3.4 Improvement / Week 8 (12/06/2025) |
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| Figure 4.3.5 Improvement / Week 8 (12/06/2025) |
These refinements helped me strike a better balance between simplicity and character, allowing the design to feel more complete and unique.
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| Figure 4.4.1 Promo candle - JPEG / Week 8 (13/06/2025) |
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| Figure 4.4.2 Face cream - JPEG / Week 8 (13/06/2025) |
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| Figure 4.4.3 Packing bag - JPEG / Week 8 (13/06/2025) |
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| Figure 4.4.4 Instagram Feed Design Layout / Week 8 (13/06/2025) |
Instagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/aidina.design_/
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| Figure 4.4.5 Screenshot of Instagram Page / Week 8 (13/06/2025) |
TASK 2 FINAL OUTCOME COMPILATION
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| Figure 5.1 Black wordmark on white background - JPEG / Week 8 (16/06/25) | |
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| Figure 5.2 White wordmark on black background - JPEG / Week 8 (16/06/25) |
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| Figure 5.3 Colour palette - JPEG / Week 8 (16/06/25) |
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| Figure 5.4 Neutral Shade wordmark on lightest shade of colour palette - JPEG / Week 8 (16/06/25) |
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| Figure 5.5 Light Shade wordmark on darkest shade of colour palette - JPEG / Week 8 (16/06/25) |
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| Figure 5.7 Face cream - JPEG / Week 8 (16/06/2025) |
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| Figure 5.8 Promo candle - JPEG / Week 8 (16/06/2025) |
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| Figure 5.9 Packing bag - JPEG / Week 8 (16/06/2025) |
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| Figure 5.10 Instagram Feed Design Layout / Week 8 (13/06/2025) |
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| Figure 5.11 Screenshot of Instagram Page / Week 8 (13/06/2025) |
General Feedback:
The main task is to develop a unique and expressive wordmark that follows the author's approach. At this stage, the key priority is the black and white execution of the logo, without emphasis on color. It is important to pay attention to symmetry and visual balance so that the sign looks harmonious. Avoid overly obvious images and look for more conceptual and sophisticated solutions.
Week 6
General Feedback:
Your color palette should include a balanced range of tones: one deep/dark shade for visual weight, two soft neutrals for subtle contrast, and two mid-tones that complement each other while still offering distinction.
Specific Feedback:
Mr. Vinod helped me revise my wordmark by refining its structure and making sure the crescent moon symbol aligned visually with the overall typography. This improved the balance and cohesion of the design.
Week 7
General Feedback:
There was no general feedback on this day.
Specific Feedback:
In the seventh week, I was advised to adjust some design elements and change the template to better showcase my brand name. I took advantage of this feedback and started exploring new layouts and compositions. I also worked on improving the alignment and consistency of the elements.
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REFLECTIONS
Experience
Working on Task 2 allowed me to experiment deeply with typography and branding through the creation of a custom wordmark. I explored various concepts and visual directions before finalizing a version that reflects my personal design identity. The process included sketching, digital refinement, and testing the wordmark across different mockups and applications. Although some stages were challenging, especially finding the right balance between style and readability, the task helped me grow more confident in making design decisions.
Observations
Throughout the process, I noticed how even small typographic changes — like adjusting weight, spacing, or letterforms — can completely shift the tone of the identity. I also observed how important it is to test the design in real-life contexts (e.g., posters, social media, branding mockups) to understand how it functions outside of the screen. Feedback from peers and the lecturer was also essential in guiding the design towards a more polished and professional outcome.
Findings
From this task, I learned that typography is not just about choosing a font — it's about crafting a message. A wordmark can act as a powerful symbol of identity, and small visual decisions carry big meaning. I also realized the value of iteration: going through multiple versions helped me refine the design into something stronger and more purposeful. This task reinforced the importance of combining creativity with logic and structure in typography.
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FURTHER READING



































































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