Letterform Pattern

Assignment Overview

  • Explore the possibilities of design from pre-printed letters cut from print publications (magazines, packaging, books, pamphlets, newspapers, etc.)
  • Pay particular attention to repetition and rhythm positive and negative shapes as the ground is activated by positioning the letters closer together or overlapping the forms.
  • Concepts such as repetition with variation, figure and ground relationships and rhythm are important to consider.
  • We are not creating logos in this assignment. Patterns only. The term “lockup” in this case means a grouping or arrangement of no more than 6 letters. (You could be repeating a single letter within one lockup.) We will then use your favorite lockups and repeat them creating a tessellating pattern. That pattern in turn will be photographed for further manipulation in Photoshop and/or Illustrator.
  • In this assignment we are also exploring the relationship between design experimentation as it eventually influences production process. Innovation as it influences invention and possible new directions. Pattern as it influences design.

 

Phase ONE—Creating Lockups

  1. As part one of this experiment, you will need to cut out a small variety of letters from the headlines from publications (magazines, books, pamphlets, newspapers, etc.) Cut these letters very carefully so that you don’t cut away any of the thickness of the letter strokes and also so that you don’t leave any of the surrounding paper that is not a part of the letterform itself. You will not need to cut out the counters or eyes of any of the letters, just the outsides of the main forms.
  2. Experiment with different arrangements of these letters as groupings that contain no more than 6 letters per group or lockup. You can repeat the same letter more than once within a single lockup. Once you are satisfied with a particular arrangement, neatly glue it down flat on a sheet of paper. One lockup per sheet. Create at a minimum 5 different lockups.

Phase two—photograph the Lockups

  1. Scan or photograph each lockup making sure that each image is squared up within the camera frame.
  2. Import each of these individual modular units or lockups into the computer.
  3. Import each into Photoshop and use either of these steps to correct any keystone effect that may have occurred.

Phase three—Create Pattern and apply visual effects

  1. You may add effects or color shifts using Photoshop. Then, use Illustrator to repeat them as pattern, paying attention to the same general design concepts as before. In this version, you are also reflecting on the results of combining technologies (old-school cut paper pasteup and contemporary digital applications). Print to the BFK Rives paper from the inkjet printer.

Specific tips In Photoshop:

  • To remove background>>unlock BKGRND>>select white with Magic wand>>delete
  • Experiment with adjusting the image with
    • Image>>Adjust>>Levels, Curves, Brightness/Contrast
    • Selection>>Fill with Content-Aware
    • Filter>>Render>>Lighting Effects
    • Filter>>Stylize>>Solarize, etc.
    • Layer Pallette>>options found under “Normal” for how layers interact with one another
    • Save as PSD file to maintain any transparency and place in Illustrator

Specific tips In Illustrator:

  • Make use of Repetition with Variation=Pattern
    • Option Copy
    • Transform Each function (rotate, scale, move)
    • Duplicate function
    • Make with Envelope Distort
    • Opacity settings and overlapping images
  • The Digital Print is printed to a sheet of BFK Rives paper, 15″ x 22″. (check to see if your particular sheet has a watermark. If so, be sure to insert the paper so that the watermark and your print will both be right side up and right reading)
  • Your print should be centered within a rectangular box that measures 9″ x 14″, centered on the paper
WoodType Digital Print
  • If printing from your laptop, be sure you have downloaded the correct printer driver first. (The printer we are using in this case is the Epson StylusPro 4800) Do a Google Search for Epson Stylus Pro Printer Driver to locate the correct one for your laptop.
  • In the Printer’s Display window:
    • select the “single sheet” icon
    • from the Menu Button (which is also the right arrow button), hit this button twice to reach “Platen Gap”, Hit the right arrow once more to reach the default “Standard” setting. Hit the down arrow three times to change this setting to “Wide”. Hit the Right arrow one last time to confirm this setting (you will see a * appear). Left arrow back to “Ready”.
    • The Display Window should now look like this below.
printer window settings
  • Feed paper into the Manual Feed slot.
  • Follow the normal directions for Digital Printing to the Epson Printers plus the following:
    • Choose the “pro4800 Standard” profile from the “other profiles” option. Be sure to also make this same choice in the Color Management window.
    • Select “Plain Paper” as the media type
    • Select Manual Feed

Student Examples

Phase Three—Book Jacket