Anyway, one of our earlier projects was to create a design to be carved into a linoleum block and then printed on their letterpress printer. So so sad that I ended up missing the Saturday session where the actual carving and printing took place, but my design turned out pretty interesting:
The objective was to use our name in a balance of positive and negative space.
Probably the most interesting project was an assignment to create a new written alphabet. We started by choosing one object word for each letter of the alphabet - so anchor, blender, cactus, etc. We then drew a simple image of each object. Then we used our calligraphy pen to draw a representation of the drawing using a maximum of three strokes. The alphabet:
Once the alphabet was complete, we were tasked with creating a sort of illuminated manuscript. This involved many drafts, as the entire paragraph of symbols needed to have a consistent "color" on the page - meaning that the forms couldn't be too open or closed in any of their interactions - meaning I had to go back and modify my original alphabet here and there. This took time. The finished manuscript:
The original quote: Last night, I tried once more to follow the oblique instructions on the scrap of paper. I took the professor's dice, and then, with the last, nightmarish sentence flitting through my mind, I rolled fifty consecutive sevens.
The final project was one we had worked toward during most of the ten-week period. The assignment was to create a "journal" to include all of our handouts, sketches, notes and assignments. The cover of the journal was to be designed with type as the dominant element. Part of what fascinates me so about type are the subtle differences between the weights and curves in a single letter - and the fact that these differences, when expressed across an entire word, sentence or paragraph, convey a particular personality. To explore these nuances, I created a version of what I learned is called the exquisite corpse. (Neat origin to the device and the phrase.) I used the letter R in twelve different typefaces with each instance of the letter cut into four pieces. These were bound into four books and affixed atop a box built out of black illustration board. The order of the pieces were jumbled so that it takes a few tries to get the correct match - so it's like a puzzle.
(the box pulled open to reveal the documents inside)
Since then I've also just completed a poster design class. The poster is now being screen printed at a shop here in town and I'll post about that class once I have photos of the finished piece. Until then, BURGER WITH A CHEESY CENTER!
