With a general tone and narrative for the final outcome considered, I decided to begin working with the content on Figma to understand how I might begin apply typography to the final outcome. The content is made up of several difference elements including quotes and figures which will have to be treated differently from large bodies of text to ensure effective readability.
In Week 02, we began to study the importance typography plays in crafting an engaging narrative through digital design. As Canadian typographer Robert Bringhurst notes:
“Typography exists to honour the content.”
This is particularly relevant to interactive design as in this particular practice, as Nielson Norman Group notes the audience is more inclined to quickly scan content for the most relevant information. Therefore, it is important to utilise type size, formatting and typesetting to emphasise the content that is most valuable to users.
Designers can organise content using different type setting elements like headings, paragraphs, headings and block quotes to make it easier to navigate documents. These features act like markers for the user; guiding an individual carefully through a webpage and encouraging them to read on. In the page linked below, I began to explore how typography has been utilised in print and digital media before considering how I can apply typography to my own final outcome.
With a clear narrative conceptualised for the final outcome, I began to consider the references drawn from my moodboard when choosing an effective typeface. Print media will be a huge influence on my final outcome as I plan for to immerse the young target audience in a mysterious investigation. Therefore, an authentic visual language is key to create an immersive experience.
(above) Examples of historical documents
(Above) To add an element of mystery and tension, I want to emulate the hasty, marked out information
As digital media was incredibly limited during the time period I am referencing, I decided to look to print media to understand how I can effectively communicate a story supplies by documents from the 1960s and 1970s. I have included some initial reference photos, I will be taking inspiration from which will guide this design including set design documents and official government documents. I also began to consider how omitting content may also be an interesting technique to include in my final outcome as shown in the right image.
Kjell Sandved was a Norwegian born publisher, author, lecturer and nature photographer, best known for his “Butterfly Alphabet” containing pictures of Butterfly Wings resembling all the 26 letters in the latin alphabet and the Arabic numerals nil to 9.
(Above) Photo of Kjell Sandved documenting butterflies in extreme and unusual environments
(Above) Sandved’s complete series finished in 1996 illustrates how inspiration and individuality can be achieved through unusual sources
I discovered the “Butterfly Alphabet” while exploring how print design is composed in the typography book: “U&lc: Influencing Design and Typography”. The series (finished in 1996) successfully demonstrates both the intricate uniqueness of nature, and it’s odd ability to reflect our own world. The keen attention to detail challenges both the artist and audience to search for abstracted shapes around; rethinking how we might create new designs from the unexpected world around us.
(Above) Kjell Sandved’s: “Butterfly’s Alphabet”; “U&lc: Influencing Design and Typography”
(Above) Kjell Sandved’s: “Butterfly’s Alphabet”; “U&lc: Influencing Design and Typography”
I found Sandved’s work really interesting and fun to explore as it allowed me to consider how my project might utilise real life references and sources to create an organic and exciting visual language. As my project has developed into an e-Book which creates the impression of real documents, this case study allowed me to consider how I might scan and edit textures to emphasis my storytelling.
Before beginning to develop wireframes for my website or e-Book, I began to markup the Apollo 11 content on Figma to consider how can I style text heavy content to create an engaging digital product. This included elements like heading, quotes and different numerical data.
Before typesetting the Apollo 11 content, I decided to study how popular text-heavy websites like Medium and BBC News utilise font size, headings and typefaces to create a clear visual language which allows the user to navigate through large bodies of content easily.