ffi publication issue 2 — out now!

reflective josh.

i wasn't sure what to expect when i enrolled. but i am glad i did.

i was really pleased to be working with the letterpress in the first assessment. it allowed for varied results in print, something that is often forgotten in such a digital age. the small amount of studio time and amount of type and presses were all challenging constraints.

the second assessment was very similar to a few past assignments from my graphic studios, but relied a lot upon the technicalities of typography (i guess that's the idea). it was a shame that the end results were fairly subjective to the taste of the people assessing. but i didn't feel there was much direction to the assignment, leaving everyone in the lurch and unsure of their design.

assessment three, i feel, will be the most successful. im really impressed with the way the class pulled together in such unusual circumstances. i was skeptical with the short amount of time and the high number of students working on the one assignment. im really looking forward to seeing how it all comes together. i throroughly enjoyed working with my team...a lovely group of girls who i was only too happy to work with.

Last minute add in.. Brian's Harmony piece

Hope its not yet complete.. this is the FINAL for Brian's Harmony piece..

download from:
http://www.box.net/shared/hs0ut3kl6e

ATTN eds & Brian

FINAL harmony piece is in the comment to this post. Cheers

Course Reflection

I signed up for the course with the expectation of learning heaps more about typography and expected to be on the computer heaps. I was pleasantly surprised with project one and being able to be hands on with the letterpress. I enjoyed the deviation away from the normal and learning about something new. The second project I found the least inspiring and the least planned. I wish we would have gotten more feedback on it and been pushed to develop it a bit more. My biggest critique is I wish there had been more critique time in class. Project three has been the best planned of our projects in terms of getting feedback being pushed to the next level and coming out with a finished cohesive piece.

Cheers,

LeighAnna

ATTN WEB (or whoever needs this): FINAL EDITED EDITORIAL BY BEC

I can't load this up to the files due to exceeded limits so here is Bec's writing for her group. I have edited it so this is the final copy. Email me at runawaytj@yahoo.com.au if you have any issues. I'll be at the computer all night.
Cheers, TJ

‘Type that sings’ by Rebecca Nekho

It doesn’t necessarily pop out at you, it sits in the back of your head and you wonder... “Hang on a minute... that’s... messing with me!” Oh yes indeed. The great thing about either the making of harmony or the execution of anti-harmony is that it evokes a certain emotion, a manufactured emotion; for the good of controversy or just plain allowing oneself to adhere to the overall sensual experience the type is conveying through its characters.

Legibility isn’t the main element I’m attracted to within typography, although creating a font that is legible is an art form in itself and a rather difficult skill to master. In my world typography as illustration is where it’s at because ‘everything else has been done before’.

Experimental typography plays with letterforms for what they are. Balance between arranged type has the ability to create perfect harmony between each negative and positive space generated by each shape. The beauty of these puzzle-like formations enhances visual capacity to a much higher level as opposed to regular text that can be read and possibly forgotten. A viewer won’t usually remember if something is legible due to the typeface – or is that the global description of good legible type? Something so easy to read and unobtrusive that it’s forgotten?

All I know is people are more inclined to remember what excites and moves them and for me that is type as image.

I want to draw attention to the message via the words rather than let it sink away into the background never to be contemplated or dreamt about. I want to subject people to sleepless nights, tossing and turning, ever wondering “But, how... that ‘H’... how did they... why did they..?” The unanswered questions of technicalities eating away for days, if not weeks. Distressful you say? Inhumane? It sure is.

Harmony in type can be perceived in many ways, but essentially just as in music, it is an important element regardless of its differences in medium and sensual experiences. It draws you in and keeps you wanting more until your eyes and ears bleed from the insatiable curiosities while the sounds and visuals speak to you personally from origins so epic as to move your soul and forever remain a part of your being.

GOOGLE GROUP FILE LIMIT EXCEEDED?

Have we exceeded the limit? Does anyone need to upload but can't? Am I posting this to the wrong place? I'll try the group message board.

TJ