Courtney Richmond - Type Experiments

Text and Image Experimentation

Figure 1

Within my typographic experiments I decided to use Baskerville as this is what was discussed within the last meeting is being preferred typeface by the photographer due to its traditionalist nature reflecting on the traditional outside style of the book itself, was also contrasting against the modern layout feel of the book. The initial typographic piece followed the outer guide in the grid which was created to be used throughout the book allowing for some overlaying over the image whilst also allowing for the image to come through the bottom through the use of such lifestyle the typography allows for large kerning as standard, and the large exercise allows for a great amount of space between elements of the type itself, therefore allowing the image to come through clearly, as can be seen in figure 1. 

Figure 2

 Although I also decided to experiment with the idea of putting the words behind the image itself only highlighting certain parts of the text in order to make it coherent with what it is saying. This can be seen in figure 2 did the contrast of colour highlights the tax which is over the image itself once passive been separated around the edge of the text can be done with all of the text in question. This allows the text to be less obstructive to the image itself, something the photographer has made evident was very important within the production of the book. The end piece is relevant to the story that is trying to be told through the photographs, the dish ran away with the spoon, telling the story of the way in which an intergalactic lover has run away with the younger woman. Due to the nature that this typography relates to the image itself it has been selected to be highlighted using Baskerville but in a different font, typeface being the same keep some regular characteristics between the two different elements of type yet the differences highlighted through use of the lowercase and italic font.

Figure 3

 Due to the way that the text was still overbearing the image in some aspect, which as discussed previously the photographer was extremely against you to the nature of the image telling the story of the book, I decided further experiment. As can be seen in figure 3, the same concept has been taken across the although the only text that is overlaying the image is the words diddle, diddle,  being part of the main title of the nursery rhyme itself it is instantly identifiable what the rest of the text is behind it due to the widespread knowledge of the nursery rhyme. Therefore, allowing half of it been covered with just the first two words in the last description of the sentence it is evident of the concept.

Figure 4

As can be seen in figure 4 I decided to bring the bottom copy onto one line this is to offer a sense of visual clarity and equal hierarchy between the image and the text below, by bringing it onto one line they have the same width and therefore offer visual continuity of the grid, further bringing attention to the type behind the image itself allowing for it to not get lost in the piece.

Isolated Text Experiment

Figure 5

As can be seen in figure I also experimented with type that was isolated on its own, type of this money will be used throughout the book as page breaks in order to introduce new photo shoot at extra pieces of information regarding Photoshoot. This is due to the fact that the photographer has provided me with a list of quotes, nursery rhymes and a poem to be able to be inserted into the book.

As can be seen above the isolated text pages are minimal and utilise negative space around the type itself. Do doing this the focus is kept on the image throughout the book rather than the type, emphasising the fact that the type is just there to reinvigorate the imagination of the audience who are viewing the images themselves and having their own interpretation on the surreal outcome. Type is also not meant to be displayed in three different fonts on the same page in the continuing sentence in three different styles, this is done again to add a further surrealist nature and uncomfortably for the audience.although some visual consistency is kept through the use of the typeface Baskerville, visually reaffirmed through the same sizing and kerning as other parts of text in the same style that are found elsewhere within the book. Therefore offering variants, whilst also offering visual continuity.