Phase 1 : Creating a Type Face

Type Studio 1

Project 1: Modular Typeface Design

Phase 1 Report

Student Name: Marco Warren

Client: Ruth Seaton James Auditorium/Theater

Name of the typeface you will design: Foundation

Major influence:

·       Base is a modular typeface that involves the clear contrast between thick and thin surfaces inspired by rectangular concrete blocks that caught my eye in a picture I saw in my country’s (Bermuda) online newspaper.

·       While reading my country’s online paper and it mentioned something called “Construction Wars”. Having being easily intrigued about what that was, it had to be read. Then it was noticed that this was an Annual Fundraiser for a charity. To the right of the write-up a picture was there of a specific occurrence where there were about 7-10 men racing with concrete blocks in their hand to build a foundation the fastest. Whoever finished first won. When this picture was seen my eyes were directed to the concrete blocks because they looked a bit heavy. Their form and style of thick and thin surfaces stood out as well as a combination of curvy and pointy squares. These combinations triggered an influence to a highly possible creation.

Origin of the name:

·       The name foundation is derived from the occurrence where the men participating in the event were racing with concrete blocks in their hand to build a foundation the fastest. Also the event they were participating for was a foundation as well. The last thing that came to realization was that a modular typeface was being built and this style involves a process of creating a foundation as well. This was the icing on the cake; Therefore, that’s where the idea that foundation would be the name of the typeface.

Describe how you will translate the major influence into design elements:

·       The movement of the typeface represents the measure of thick and thin surface formations tied with combination of a sharp exterior (giving to the height) and a curvier interior of negative space on the interior part of the blocks. This occurs while width is added to contribute to the module’s weight appearing sturdy.

Describe the process of converting the design elements into a typeface:

·       The outside lines of the modules will have a vaguely sharp point about them and weight to the side surfaces of the modules just as seen in the blocks. The interior part of the modules will involve a slightly bold curve; not just for visual representation but also for addition to its weight adding to the sturdy feel as influenced by the concrete construction blocks.

 Describe the patterns that will originate by the design modules to the typeface:

·       The patterns created in the typeface originates from the basic pattern variation of thick and thin to the height and width as well as implicating the curvy edges from the negative space of blocks.