Typography Fouls

For last week’s project in CAS111, we were challenged to create a typography poster for a quote. The story behind this poster starts off with not having a clue what quote to use. I wanted something I could illustrate in Adobe Illustrator. It’s my strong suit, and I figured most students would use photoshop to incorporate photos for minimal work. After a long period of time, I turned to my typography ignorant boyfriend Joe (as we all know from previous posts) and asked him for a simple quote off the top of his head. “Life’s a garden, dig it,” was his response. Well, I guess he was thinking about watching the action movie Joe Dirt at the time, but I made it work. Plus, he told me he would be upset if I didn’t use his quote. I brainstormed a few ideas, and came up with this beauty. We were asked not to use two fonts, but I thought it would be inappropriate to use the above font for the bold statement made in the dirt. I don’t think Joe thought I could make his silly quote come to life. I believe now that makes 2 points for me, and 0 for Joe on typography.

Louise McWhinnie

At least once a day, I’m on some type of a social media such as Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, and I come across some typographical error that just irks me. Sometimes I vocally announce my irritation, and usually my boyfriend is around to hear it. He’s usually concerned on why I’m so upset, but then gets irritated with me when he finds out the issue. He believes I am overreacting. But when you’re an Advertising major or Graphic Designer, if you think about it, you are trained to find these errors. It is both a blessing and a curse. When you are a trained like a machine to notice these errors, in the work place you are considered a god. But at home, your machine-like-brain never shuts down. It is always nitpicking and finding errors. Whether it is on social media, TV commercials, cards in the mail, or even the type on your clothes, ERRORS ARE EVERYWHERE and I have no control over it. But I guess an Engineer wouldn’t understand that. As I’ve said before, I’m a perfectionist...and maybe a little OCD. Beyond that, typography enhances communication. You wouldn’t use Comic Sans for the Harley logo, would you? HAHA, can you imagine?! 

Due Wednesday, Aug. 19, by 11 p.m. Must be in by this date and time. No exceptions. No late date for this assignment. You will put your blog link in an email and send it to [email protected].

1. This will be an ongoing project in CAS111. To turn it in to be graded at the end of the course, You will put your blog link in an email and send it to [email protected]. In addition, post the link on the Facebook site at any time so that others can see your work. Encourage others in the class and your friends to follow your Tumblr site.

2. The purpose of this assignment is to get you involved more in the professional world of your field of work. Some of you may already be following the work of professionals. Excellent. You understand the value of this assignment and will find it easy. Benefits: When it comes time to look for an internship or job, sharing your Tumblr with a potential employer will be a bonus. It shows that you have been involved in your field of interest for some time. In addition, it says you are connected with those in the field who are known for good work. Also, you will learn and become even more inspired.

Keep adding to your Tumblr even after the class ends. You will be glad you did, I predict.

3. For this project, you will create and keep a record and reactions of the work of an individual’s or company’s work. It can be a graphic artist, a game developer, a videographer, a photographer, a typographer, an advertising agency — anything or anyone that helps to define what you love about your field. You can also follow numerous individuals or companies or just one.

4. Create a Tumblr site dedicated to this assignment. Tumblr has many options for themes. Play around with Tumblr if you are not accustomed to using it. There are lots of links to help you figure out how to make the most of a Tumblr site.

5. You need to have an About section in your blog that tells who you are and what you doing.

6. You must make at least 12 posts throughout the course (almost two per week). Obviously, you can create  more posts if you wish to, and I hope you do.  

7. In order to add to your blog and do a good job, you will need to follow the work of the person or business you have chosen. You can do that by researching them on the Internet, following them on Facebook and Twitter, following their blog, reading about them on news sites, getting input from others who value this person or company, etc. It would be great if you even interact with them directly. All copy should be written by you. If you use someone else’s words, you must use quotation marks and tell where you got the words.

8. Be sure to add links to your blog so that people can see where you are getting your information and can find more work by the individual or company.

9. Don’t wait until the last week to start this. We’ll know, and it will count against you.

RUBRIC

You will be graded on the following:

• 20 — Adhering to specifications on this assignment sheet

• 20 — Posts show thought and are engaging

• 20 — Quality of work

• 20 — Effort

• 10 — Following directions