typography reflection

I have really enjoyed this class and the projects we have done and how they each were different and focused on different elements. I very happy with how i have done in this class and the projects that i have done and how i was able to put my own touches on it and excited to take what i have learned and experienced in this class into the future as typography is an essential element and skill needed in any type of design and can make or break something whether it is a poster, site, cover, type and all of its components like hierarchy, size, weight, etc.are very important.

proj.4 update/thoughts

finishing up the project and i am liking how it turned out especially after the spacing is fixed and is lined up. it looks good and fits and flows together when put side to side and the fonts are real nice especially the market deco font. The contrast of black and white pages worked out well. Overall the project has turned out nicely and the important stuff like font choice and hierarchy, and spacing is good. Now just have to hang in there till the end of the semester like woody.

movie poster pt.5

This is one of the posters for the excellent movie Skyfall. It has the classic looking down the barrel of the gun image that is iconic with James bond an 007 walking down it and it fits sense the movie does go back to the basics of early 007 films while going to places James bond hasn't gone before The font and spacing is nice and the Daniel Craig is the right size in on the poster and he isn't too big or small in the pic and gives it nice depth and proportion. Also the gold colored 007 logo is a nice touch reflecting the 50th anniversary of James bond on the big screen.

movie poster pt.4

I haven't seen the movie but the posters for it are pretty cool including this one. Obliviously the image is really cool and mind blowing and all that good stuff that makes you stop and look at it. The font for inception is nice but it is a little too transparent and can be hard to see, so i would beef up the visibility a bit. The other font's are pretty good too and fit with the inception font.

movie poster pt.3

This poster for the decent film i,robot is alright, it's not great or going to blow you away but its not bad either, like the film it's somewhere in the middle. The font is okay but the I does brother because it is really fat compared to the rest. The image is fine but i would move the will smith text somewhere else or not have it all because we all know that is the fresh prince. Also i would movie the i, robot stuff a little higher.

movie poster pt.2

This is a neat poster for the decent nic cage movie Lord of war. The fonts are fine, there not going to blow you away but they do fit and are effective, though i'm not the b is biggest fan of the color choice it but it isn't a deal breaker. The image itslef is really cool with nic cage being made of bullet shells and the shading and depth is pretty good and from experience, i know that can be a challenge.

Movie poster pt.1

I never saw the movie put this poster is pretty bad ass. The font choice is fine and is what you'd expect from a terminator movie. The spacing is pretty good but you could play around with it a little more like moving it down a little but it's just a nip picking. The image of course is really cool and how the sky view of the area is the head of the sick looking robot. Overall a nice poster.

Video game cover pt.3

this cool piece of video game box art is from red dead redemption. What makes this box art good is that it's simple and effective, unlike a lot of box art that has too much going on,you get a feel for the game by seeing the art. The logo is not centric,it is slightly below the middle which is nice.The American flag in the background with the horse riders in front of the stripes is a nice touch. The font and spacing is nice and distinctive and easy to read.

cool concept art pt.2

I really like this concept art for fallout 3. Defiantly a good snapshot with the capitol building and the rest of what's left of D.C. in the background. The BoS solider in the foreground is a nice touch and almost provides a sort of story of why is he there? Is he good or bad?, etc. The draw distance is really nice and eacch time you look at it you see something new. I would like to see it without the BoS soldier though because the city by itself is good enough. Overall this is a nice piece of art.

cool concept art pt.1

This artwork is for medal of honor: frontline for the ps2 and what i like about this is the contrast to the red mist and it pops out really nice with the rest of the piece being in black and white.plus it just has that epic feel to it and maybe that soldier took it down and is signaling the job is done and come get him. Also it is different than what you usually see from WWII or any war game artwork. Overall just a cool piece of art.

Video game cover pt.2

This cover is for ratchet and clank:going commando for the ps2. This cover has a almost glossy/shine finish to it and a nice touch with the hole in the wall and the fire from the gun still burning and the blown up hole in the wall continues on the back which is nice touch, since sometimes company's don't always do that. Though I wish the logo was bigger on cover so that for those who don't know what it is can see it clearly. The fonts are fine and the spacing is unique and while you can complain about some of the spacing on the back, it doesn't take away too much and it kind of works since there really isn't that many other options

Video game cover pt.1

This cover is for metro 2033. What I like about this cover  is that it just looks good and the cracking, fogging up effect that it has ties into the game and the font choice is nice and defiantly get a Russian vibe from it.Also the manual that comes with it looks like the one in the game which is another cool tie in. Though the sideways text isn't something  that I particular like but it doesn't take away from it and it isn't the only text on there,so it is not as a big deal. also the font is pretty good and unique.

proj. 4 update/thoughts

Starting to hit the home stretch on the menu, just bringing everything together and making it flow, though the back is still needs some thought in text placement as not much is going on it and have to make it look good and flow with the rest of the piece and most of he spacing has been fixed, making it fit, page to page, and making it fit and not so close to the edges. Overall like how it's coming together and it defiantly makes you stop and say,hey bro that menu was awesome right laker bros.

restaurant menu cover pt.11

This cover has an interesting look and a number of elements. the color is an interesting choice but it does work and kind of nice change of pace than what we see normally. The font's are alright but the name up top seems a little big though would shrink it a bit. The random white stars ruin the cover a bit and i would just get rid of them and would tweak the shield as it needs some work as it is a bit flat and uninspired.

restaurant menu cover pt.10

Another simple leather menu cover. It is more off center than most tend to be as it is closer to the top but it isn't bad though something on the bottom might be nice like a line of text or something. It has a white lettering and and image which is different with most are usually some type of gold. The rose is fine though it is a little thin could define it more. The font is okay though i would try some similar font's to see how they look and move the rose down a bit since it is kind of close.

restaurant menu cover pt.9

Another cover with elements that take up most of the cover. It's not central and the vertical art is pretty and the spacing for it is good, though the actual name needs some work as it looks like it is cut off and is too close and does seem rather large, so shrinking it a bit should solve that problem. The nice colors are nice and not overbearing and do fit with each other.

restaurant menu cover pt.8

This is an intriguing cover as it is very big and takes up a lot of space which is usually opposite of what we normally see. The font is fine but i would make the whole thing smaller as it is a bit over bearing though i would still keep it on the larger side. I like the background and the elements. It seems like it is central but the size covers it up a bit. Overall a solid cover that needs some tweaks.

restaurant menu cover pt.7

This Japanese restaurant menu has a lot on it which for a restaurant menu cover you want to keep it simple. The red is fine but the font's are very good as they are all completely different and don't fit together at all. Also the image could be a bit bigger and the info should be moved to the back or more towards the bottom instead the middle. Overall the only nice thing i can say is the red is alright but this is an example of what not to do.

restaurant menu cover pt.6

Another fancy leather texture cover that seems to be on every page instead of just the front and back cover. Like most of the more fancy restaurants or leather covers, the cover is very simple. It's a little off center which is nice and the image of the bird is fine but i might make it stand out better or some more detail to make it seem less like clip art. text is fine though i might change the positioning on top text to make it more even, it does bother me a little.

restaurant menu cover pt.5

Besides the bad photo the person took of the menu cover, this has some nice elements and some not so nice elements to it. The rose is nice and the font's are fine though i would put them closer together, they are too far apart for my taste. I'm not a fan of the border, i might re work so it is simpler like simplifying the design's in the corners and sides so that they flow together better. I would also make the lines underneath the top text simpler as well, it's too busy and a little crappy.

restaurant menu cover pt.4

This cover is a bit of a mess, i don't mind the orange, it's just the images looked like someone cut them out and pasted them on the cover and the words on the side are missed place. I would stick with one image like the shark and simplify to just one solid color with some details and incorporate text with it.

Proj.4 update/thoughts

been working on the menu, toughest part is that there are only two inside pages to put the info on and the back but don't want to put too much in the back, so 90% of it is on two pages and some of the spacing can take a little thought but nothing too bad as long as you know what you want to do (which i do), feel like i got it down just have too tweak and play around with it a bit. Just have to keep eye on due date it can sneak up on you like a cat.

restaurant menu cover pt.3

This cover has a more slick classic leather texture to it, its very smooth and gives it that sort of cool look to it. the logo and name are not centered which is very good and it is a gold, which fits and with that look there is really only one option and that's gold. The logo is alright, though i would make the lines in the fish a little smaller to make it more like a fish and your not looking at it for an hour trying to figure out what it is. The fonts are fine though i would move up the name just a tad as it seems a little to far away from the logo.  All in all a solid simple effective cover.

restaurant menu cover pt.2

Right off the bat you know this is a upscale country club judging by the slick leather and the green color which most country clubs probably use. Like most country clubs in the cover it is just the name on the cover with the logo on the bottom (in a shield of course) to add some fancy points to it, the font is fine though but it is what you'd expect along with the logo. Overall a solid piece though it is boring like most country clubs.

restaurant menu cover pt.1

Like alot of restaurants especially more upscale ones, they like to have a little texture on the cover and for this cover it almost looks spongy, though in the description it says it;s metal which would be a interesting choice and the brown is a nice brown. The logo is fine though i am not a fan of the box and i would just get rid of it. I like the fact that it is not center and more up and not down since that placement can get tricky. Overall a simply effective cover that needs little tweaks to make it better.

restaurant menu pt.10

This is a simpler menu but it does have the corners cut, to give it a certain look. Though i would like some design or something in the cut to add a little something something. The hierarchy is fine, though i would make the dish names stand out more, a little more bold should do the trick. I'm not a fan of the two headlines as they are a little hard to read and don't really fit when with the other text.

restaurant menu pt.9

This is menu has some good ideas with the separation of content and with decent hierarchy and the font is alright though i think the should change the secondary font to something more formal to distinguish itself. The two headlines need work though, either increase tracking or make it stand out more, sine it doesn't distinguish itself or seem important. I would also make the two boxes the same color, gives it a better look.

restaurant menu pt.8

This menus setup has a number of different sections. One one side you have a senior menu highlighted by the box and beverages and on the other side they have the all day breakfast for everybody. The hierarchy is good, all the info is separated nicely and everything has place. The box is a nice way to highlight it and make it stand out. background is alright, could use some more work but overall a solid piece.

restaurant menu pt.7

A menu that fits with line of the early ones i talked about, The background is nice and clean and has a nice look to it, text is good and easy to read with good hierarchy and this time the showed what the moose head means which is a plus. The pics are in good spots though you could spread them out more to see how that would look. All in all a nice piece.

restaurant menu pt.6

Another Japanese food menu to coincide with our project. Again they have the Japanese lettering beside the word, The bordering is all right but could use some work and Beef seems like it is stretched a bit or maybe centering the beef with the box would fix that issue. The pic up topis fine but the bottoms are kind of crap, need to simplfy to one or two and make would just it sure you can still read the text. I would move the red box to #8 because it would look better and have better flow.

resaturant menu pt.5

Another Japanese /Asian theme menu, looks like more like a bar menu that sits on the bar when you sit down or a simple menu for the bar. The off centering is alright but the main text underneath header can get a little lost, so that needs to be beefed up. The Japanese lettering is nice but i would put it next to it or underneath because it seems like there are too close together.  Also the spacing is inconsistent and that might solve some of the issues. Overall a solid piece that needs some tweaks.

restaurant menu pt.4

This menu goes in line with the project were doing with a Japanese theme or cuisine. I don't know if it was the pic or how they put it on the internet but the paper is off center and takes away what is a solid piece. The bordering is nice and the colors are pleasant and fit well with each other. Also there is a pic just placed in a random spot at the bottom that looks like someone put a sticker there or something. The font choice is good with the hierarchy working well and the dots work nicely. Though i would make the regular font italic, seems like it would work better.

restaurant menu pt.3

This is a section of a menu for burgers and it's pretty good. nice color scheme with the brown, though i would bring down the top yellowish color to the bottom instead of the orange to tie everything up. Nice hierarchy, and the little boxes at the bottom work nicely and aren't over bearing. Though I have no idea what the moose heads are for or represent. I would get rid of the text without the box on the burger or move it somewhere it's not floating. Text is solid and easy to read, fits with the subject.

restaurant menu pt.2

This menu is more along the lines of the ones you can take home and order from home. Smart putting the number up top, it will be the 1st thing you see and easy to find. Hierarchy is pretty good with bold, italic font's separating dishes and description. Though the two boxes at the bottom being one faded and the other not, can be a bit of a distraction and some type of simple design or the restaurant's name should be somewhere.

resaurant menus pt.1

Here is a menu with some mixed results as there were going with some texture in the background, with some stains and some art at the bottom, it doesn't really bother me expect the art at bottom needs to fit in better and it seems the text is a little small or it just doesn't stand out and there is some hierarchy but most of the text is bolded and they just changed the size. Also why weren't those lines n the break on the left carried over to the right. also some of the headliners are bigger than others. Color scheme isn't to bad.I would break up the pics a bit. 

proj.3 refelction

After seeing the finished label on the bottle, I knew it was a very good and legit water bottle and defiantly proud of myself and felt like i was really able to knock this one out of the park especially with the comic feel without it slapping you in the face and the whole thing flows and the typography is very good, overall very happy about the finished project, it gives me James Bond swag.

drink labels pt.5

It's interesting to see different companies and how they differenate there labels in terms of size, like the coke products have smaller thinner label, while the pepsi products labels are more bigger and take up most of the bottle which also affects the shape as the coke products have more curves to it and make it seem skinner while the pepsi products are more straight and not as "flashy". Also why in the blue hell as that fanta label doing down there at the bottom, must be european.

drink labels pt.4

just like most drinks, Gatorade continues to change/modify there packaging as a lot of there stuff now has clear labels, with the giant Gatorade g in the front with a phrase on the back. This shows that once a company or product gets big enough all you need is the logo and people will know exactly what it is, even without the word Gatorade there an it allows them to play around with the spacing or more visual elements or themes into the label.

proj.3 update/thoughts

After looking through labels off water and other drinks I have concluded that it is hard to stand out and if you want to stand out you have to do little touches like font choice, color and placement of info. Now for the the water logo font i will probably go with a sans serif font that has a nice flow like water to it and counter it with a serif font for the other stuff and i still haven't decided if i want to go with a more traditional blue green color scheme or add a color like orange to the it to spice things up a bit, it's definitely going to be a challenge to try and get things to stand out with out it looking like a soft drink or something besides water but don't worry I GOT IT or maybe not, we will see.

drink labels pt.3

This tea label has some good points and some bad. The good is that the font is alright and the spacing is nice and the different fonts play off each other and it looks like its not totally center which is nice. Some of the bad is that the peach color words don't work at all and they disappear into the background and kind of hurts my eyes. Also the green stroke text on the bottom is horrifying. The same stuff applies to the back as some text look like it's missing. A label that has some bright spots but still needs some loving to make it a solid label.

drinkapoolza

It's always interesting to see all the different drinks lined up in a aisle and see how they look and which ones stand out and why they do or don't stand out. It seems like the ones that are the most successful are the ones that have contrast like yellow liquid and purple label, so it's important to know what colors go together and contrast. Also it seems like all of the labels logos are going at a angle and not somewhere in the middle which is interesting. So to stand out from this pack it is important to have color contrast and the logo or font choice is important since you don't want it blend with the others or get lost.

drink labels pt.2

These labels are for black tiger, i don't know if it is real or not but it does look like something you would see in a store. This label is rather simple with the black background and yellow text and graphic. The font is fine it doesn't stick out or strike as something different but it's not bad neither and i do like he graphic above the text. I would try and flip flop the colors with a yellow background and black text and graphic to see how that would look. Overall a nice label that does some things right and other things need more tweaking or thought.

drink labels pt.1

This label is for a Swedish soft drink and it is a dozy. Usually for soft drinks the logo is the biggest graphical element and there might be some shapes or simple images but usually soft drink are very text heavy but this one has alot going on in the label. With rainbows and helicopters and flying guys its a lot more then were used to and you could lose the name/logo of the product with some much else going on.

proj. 3 intro/thoughts

For proj. 3 we have to do a water bottle label which requires a lot of info in a small space and using little to know graphics. Obliviously an important aspect is font choice and size because it has to be easy to read while not being too big or small and have to use all the space to your advantage, also despite being able to use any color, there really isn't many colors that you can pull off and make people want to but the water, same goes for the font choices, decisions, decisions.

water bottle label pt.1

The dasani water bottle in my opinion is a clean solid label. It isn't busy, the background is nice and the logo is nice with good spacing, I think that this is the best spaced out of the major brands and the light blue in the middle helps draw your eye towards the name and in my opinion looks better then the black box they used to have over the name, even though it may help it stick out, it was unnecessary considering what the brand is.

Proj.2 final thoughts

I feel pretty satisfied with how proj.2, of course those damn eyebrows are giving me trouble, can't seem to get the shading right, its not bad or anything just needs more tweaking probably going to have yo play around with shading levels more. Felt i accomplished my vision for it and once you realize that it's supposed to look human but not it doesn't become bothersome over some of the features. Overall feel pretty pleased about it.