Type Experimentation Final

This experimental process began through gathering research about both anamorphosis and optical illusions. Both are independent techniques of distortion, tricking the eye and multiple dimensions. My initial experimentation began by mimicking existing examples of both. The most successful type experiments came from combining these two techniques to answer my question; "how can 0ne typeface exist in both two and three dimensional forms?" In addition to this, I asked, "How do the experimental forms exist in materials and space and how does the message encourage or emphasize the form?" My first few attempts focused on incorporating the last two questions by using the word "security" and material that reinforced this, cotton. This experiment informed the later process of a more complex subject. This produced a distortion of the letter form which I found particularly interesting. From this point, I produced digital experiments that focused on the creation of a letterform that attempts to be viewed as three-dimensional on a flat surface. This produced answers through the use of repeated lines and was then combined with anamorphosis technique through the use of a projector and multiple planes. The most successful experiment occured when I combined each question with the word "focus" placed on 5 surfaces, although the material, tape, did not necessarily reinforce the form or message. This asks the viewer to walk through the experience and requires they stand at a certain perspective to see the actual word. Throughout the process, I learned about creating typographic form from other forms, such as lines, as well as creating two dimensional letter-forms that attempt to be seen as three-dimensional. This occurs through the same methods as drawing type; establishing a grid and a system. I was very interested in both the process and techniques as well as combining the two ideas together to form a new one and would like to continue to explore this in the future.





Type Experiment Booklet

Type Experiments: Continuing to Make 04

Taking my previous type experiments, I attempted to use the two dimensional letterforms that were created to give the illusion of sitting in three dimensional space and placed them in physical space across five different planes, large-scale. Although this particular experiment is not successful on its own due to the illegibility of most of the letters (specifically i, g, and n, I believe that the idea as well as the material worked well for large, lined type that is not permanent.

A designalogue banner was a nice way of testing the line type I created in previous projects. It provided function and purpose as well as a test for legibility across various letters.

The second attempt to create anamorphic type on a balloon
(this was not at all successful but I decided to try a third time).

On the third attempt, I found more success in marking the lines from the projector and drawing them with the balloon in hand. At this point, I realized that a balloon was a good suggestion but neither a material that informs my experiments nor a material that I would like to continue to use.

___________________________________

1. One of the discoveries contained in my area of typographic studies was realized during my first few attempts at creating optical illusions. The nature of the work requires a precision, not only in craft (which has not been achieved as it should/will be), but also placement of certain objects at specific angles. This precision later informs the creation of actual type and applies to forming the letters and creating a grid. It is interesting to use the grid and find various ways to manipulate this through the use of perspective outside of the original creation.
   
   
2. Another important, in my opinion, discovery includes the forms used to create another. For example, using lines to create a three dimensional box, in turn, was used to create a structured type that attempts to create the illusion of three dimensions from both the left and right sides of the letter. This illusion relies heavily on the placement of the lines in relation to one another. In addition to that, some of my earlier experiments used the material to reinforce the message. In that, I believe they were almost more successful than using tape or hand-drawn line to create the letterforms.
   

Type Experiments: Continuing to Make 03

The beginning of three-dimensions on two that will later be transferred to

a three dimensional surface made to appear like two:

Type Experiments: Continuing to Make 02

"Hi" greeting line type combined with steps:

Optical illusion studies:

"Hide"

"Watch Out"

A weak attempt at turning an illusion box into type:

Type Experiments: Continuing to Make

I began to explore more of the two-dimensional part of my question as I considered creating a three-dimensional illusion on screen (a flat surface). This was then placed on a three-dimensional surface that looks as if it could be two-dimensional surface from a specific angle. I chose to use a very structured typeface and created a optically two dimensional type that is created using only lines. This focused on each point of the typeface.

Optical Illusion Circle Experiment:

Exploring illusion through directional lines to spell "OK":


(This was when I discovered that erasing the typeface I used to connect the lines
would reveal their form underneath! This process was then used to create the word "see" shown above)

Type Experiments: Beginning to Make

Experiments:

Focusing on the idea of an illusion and things that are seen and things that are not seen. I used the word "security" for my experiments and continued this idea with the use of fabric for my material.