Tag Archives: Typography

Computer Graphic Design

Adobe Illustrator Typography: Type Tools

Welcome to our Typography unit!

Starting today, we are going to explore Typography and the use of type in Illustrator. We will discuss what Typography is and why it is so important to graphic design. We will explore the different ways that type can be created and modified within Illustrator, and we will use our knowledge of color and shape to explore new ways to communicate with letters and words.

Objective:

Students will be able to identify, explain and create Point Type, Area Type and Type on a Path in Illustrator.

Student Friendly Objective:

I can use the text tools in Illustrator to create Point Type, Area Type and Type on a Path.

Video Links:

Creating Text: https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/add-text-work-with-type-objects.html#creating_text

Creating Type on a Path: https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/creating-type-path.html#creating_type_on_a_path

Topics Discussed:

  • Type Tool
  • Point Type
  • Area Type
  • Overset Type
  • Type on a Path
  • Vertical Type
  • Vertical Area Type
  • Vertical Type on a Path

Instructions:

Create a new Illustrator Web document with four default-sized artboards. Save this document as “YOUR NAME – Type Week”. We will use this document throughout the week to practice with the Type tools in Illustrator.

Read the “Creating Text” tutorial video in the link provided above. Follow the tutorial to learn how to create point type and area type using the Type Tool.

  1. After you have watched the tutorial, go to the first (upper left) artboard in your new document.
  2. If you followed along with the tutorial, you should already have Point Type and Path Type created. If not, create an example of each now using the Type Tool.
  3. Read the “Creating Type on a Path” document at the link provided above. Follow the steps to learn how to create text that attaches to lines and shapes using the Type on a Path Tool.
  4. Hold the mouse button down on the Type Tool to reveal the other Type tools: the Area Type Tool, the Type on a Path Tool, the Vertical Type Tool, theVertical Area Type Tool and the Vertical Type on a Path Tool.
  5. Try each of these tools, and show an example of each on your artboard. Make sure all your examples fit on one artboard.
  6. Your artboard should include an example of each of the following:
    • Point Type
    • Area Type
    • Type on a Path
    • Area Type inside a Shape (use the Shape Tool to draw your shape, and click on the path with the regular Type Tool)
    • Overset Type (type that flows from one Type Area to another)
    • Vertical Point Type
    • Vertical Area Type
    • Vertical Type on a Path
  7. Save your document. We will continue to work with this document throughout the week.

Assigned: February 5th, 2024
Teacher Pacing Due Date: February 6th, 2024

Computer Graphic Design

Illustrator Type Week: “Eye-Ku” Visual Poetry

Objective:

Students will be able to produce an “Eye-Ku” visual poem by using the Type Tools, Effects Menu, Appearance panel and Graphic Styles panel in Illustrator to create expressive text and images based on the Principles of Design.

Web Links:

Adobe Illustrator CC: Graphic Styles
Adobe Illustrator CC: Appearance Attributes

Topics Discussed:

  • Typography
  • Appearance Panel
  • Graphic Styles Panel
  • Effect Menu
  • Warp Dialog
  • Post-Modernism
  • Expressive Text

Assignment:

Review the tutorials at the Adobe Illustrator CC: Graphic Styles and
Adobe Illustrator CC: Appearance Attributes links provided to refresh your memory on how to use the Appearance Panel, and how to save object appearances as Graphic Styles.

We used Illustrator’s unique tools to produce Expressive Text last week. Today we are going to put what we have learned to good use by using Expressive Text to produce a visual poem: a poem that is enhanced by the graphics accompanying the words.

Visual Poetry and Concrete Poetry

  1. Concrete poetry is a type of poetry where the way the words look, and the arrangement of the words on the page is more important in expressing the meaning of the poem than the words themselves. 
  2.  Visual poetry builds on this concept, adding background visuals and colors into the mix, producing an even more unique style.
  3. Open your Text Week document in Illustrator and go to the fourth (lower right) artboard.
  4. Take a look at the following examples explaining Visual and Concrete Poetry:
  5. Think about the visual poetry examples:
    • What features do visual poems have in common?
    • What makes visual poetry different than regular poetry?
    • Which of the examples do you like the best? Why?
    • What makes a visual poem good?
  6. Use the pre-set Graphic Styles libraries, the Warp tools and the Type Tool to produce your concrete poem on the fourth artboard in Illustrator.
  7. You may use any style of poetry (free verse, haiku, music lyrics, Shakespearean sonnet, etc.).
    • It is recommended that you use a short poem like a haiku, so the visuals are not overpowered by the words.
  8. You may create an original poem, or use your favorite poem or song lyric by another artist, but if you use another artist’s work, you must include the name of the author in your design.
  9. Use a background image or color pattern that helps emphasize the theme of the poem. The poem does not necessarily have to describe the image, but they should share a common theme. You may borrow an image from the internet, so long as you credit the source, or you may create an original image (drawing or photograph).
  10. Your poem should visually represent, both in the arrangement of the words and in the visual style of the words, the theme of the poem.
  11. The theme of the poem should be obvious, based on the arrangement of the words and the Appearance or Graphic Style of the words. (Even someone who doesn’t speak English should be able to recognize what the poem is about.)
  12. There is no minimum or maximum length of the poem, but the poem must express a recognizable idea, and must effectively present the idea through the arrangement and graphic style of the words.
  13. Remember the Principles of Design as you lay out your page: Contrast, Repetition, Alignment and Proximity – use them, as well as what we have learned about Color Theory and Symbolism to maximize the visual appeal and meaning of your poem!
  14. The completed Visual Poem is due on Thursday, March 9th. We will work on the poem and look at other examples of Visual Poetry in the days between now and then. You will turn in the completed visual poem along with the rest of your Type Week activities in this Illustrator document to the most recent post on our Google Classroom page.
  15. The completed Concrete Poems will be printed and displayed in the room for all to enjoy, so do your best to make this something unique and visually appealing!

Assigned: March 6th, 2023
Teacher Pacing Due Date: March 9th, 2023