Erik Spiekermann Blog

I watched an interview with Erik Spiekermann, who is a well-known type designer. Spiekermann has seen the evolution of type from traditional to digital. No matter what the medium or size you are designing for, metal type on a poster, or digital type for an iphone interface, you use the same type principles. As a typographer you are solving a problem for who ever is viewing your work. In his own work he uses a limited color palette of black, white, and red. His style is stark and Germanic. When he starts a new project he starts with the smallest element and then works his way up. If you do it that way it’s logical, and it kind of designs itself.

Jessica Hische

      The other night I watched "An Evening With Jessica Hische," and I absolutely loved it. Jessica Hische is a young Illustrator and Typographer that has done so much for so many different companies in such a short period of time. She first got into doing hand lettering because she didn't have enough money to buy actual fonts. When she began to create her own fonts her work became more personalized. In the short time that she has been working professionally, she has created a wide range of work, and has worked extremely hard. In one of her first jobs she just drew type all day, which sounds like such an amazing job to me!!! She would begin with pencil sketches, and then refine them in the computer. She would just look at stuff and more stuff. You have to become really observant, and store what you see in your mind, so you never hit a creative block. I also learned that there is a difference between lettering and typefaces, and when it is appropriate. Lettering or letters are drawn for a specific application, and typefaces are full fonts, or alphabets. She later began to incorporate illustration into her lettering, where she learned that you should always do what the client wants, no matter what. She also talked about those times when you get so tired of what you are doing. You just have to step back and say what Im doing is really awesome. Jessica Hische has worked for companies like NY Times, ASPCA, SAMSUNG, Wall Street Journal, and much more. She is known for her beautiful typefaces, that I love!

Chip Kidd Response

     After watching Chip Kidd’s TED talk, I have learned that the design of a book cover has to make people want to read the book, but it also has to tell in some way what the book is about. Chip Kidd was witty, and entertaining. He was quirky but straightforward. His presentation was simple, but effective, just like his work. A book cover’ is a reader’s first impression of the book. What is it about? It draws the reader in, and tells a story with out revealing too much. A cover should represent the story not in a way that treats the reader like a moron, but in a way that clearly and creatively represents the author and their work of art.

Paul Rand Response

      After hearing about Paul Rand, and his work he did, as a book cover designer I have learned less is sometimes more. You don’t have to use Photoshop and Illustrator to make a good cover. Paul Rand’s career was mostly in the 50’s and 60’s. At the time, his work was seen as radical. He used blocks of color, crumpled paper, abstractions, painting, and his own handwriting to create his covers. His compositions were unexpected, and he rejected what was known as traditional. He broke “rules” but I think his work is refreshing, and timeless no matter when you are looking at it. Paul Rand created covers that drew you in, but didn’t tell the whole story

Final Type Motion Video

How does your motion piece effectively represent the speech content and delivery? What techniques worked well? How did you address the narrative flow of the speech in static book and motion?

-My motion piece effectively represents the speech in a clean, simple but powerful way.
-The fade in and fade outs worked well with my piece.
-I addressed the narrative flow of the speech by emphasizing the important words and phrases, and adding motion or color change.