Raw Type Submission Boards

Raw Type (Part 1 & 2)

Brief Part 1

Create a typeface based upon themes of either time,
sound, photography or light and produce a promotional
poster for the typeface design.

Brief Part 2

Using the Doppler type as a basis for the design
direction, propose how the typeface could be used in
context.

Boards:

Raw Type Initial Drawings and Sketches

Based upon the initial research into looking at the breaking of sound barriers I started sketching some initial ideas using circular patters to create abstracted letterforms.

Going back to the initial image that i had collected as part of my initial research the best simple solution i had found was using the pattern of rings with a thicker line going through to illustrate a letterform through this line's direction and length.

To best communicate the difference between what would be a moving object and the resulting sound waves a thicker line was created to best illustrate what was going on within each letterform. A variety of weights were tested below to best represent the letter forms within a variety of scales.

I also started to experiment here with breaking the concept down that I had created to make a more simple and less conceptual creation. This other typeface could be integrated as an actual face besides being a simply decorative piece.

Raw Type Initial Ideas and Research

Visually presenting sound seems quite challenging and perhaps difficult because of the fact that it is invisible. Upon initial research I found various scientific theories surrounding sound particularly within the field of speed and breaking different sound barriers, such as the Mach scale.

The Doppler effect is a science I thought was rather interesting as the diagram below explains:

The source of a waveform—such as sound or light—sends out a wave at a regular rate or frequency. But if that source is moving, it starts to catch up to waves in the direction of motion, as well as pulls away from the waves opposite the motion. The velocity of the waveform does not change, but the wavelength and frequency does change due to the motion of the source.

This causes the wavelength in the direction of motion to be shorter and their frequency higher. Likewise, the waves moving in the direction opposite the motion of the source will have longer wavelengths and lower frequencies.

There are many videos within youtube of aircraft flights that show this doppler effect and the breaking of the sound barrier. Really interesting and have started drawing sketches based upon the waves represented by the diagram above. The challenge of all this is to create something that will by visually engaging but also be somewhat in the realms of readable. I do doubt that symbolism of letterforms will be sufficient for a good shot at the placement in Manchester.

Doppler Type Specimen and new Promotional Poster

I quickly produced a specimen booklet to showcase the experimental typeface that I produced. The booklet shows the two typefaces and the science behind the design.

Raw Type Finalist

The result of the finalists are now available on the raw type blog. An I am a finalist! Get in!

I am now pitted against the other finalists for the placement opportunity with time, photography and light (by David Gasi).

To extend the brief I am proposing to go back over the project to produce a more resolute typeface design that is perhaps more functional.

I made a submission to Raw Design in Manchester for a months placement opportunity. The brief was really interesting. As they are a predominently type driven studio they created a brief to design a typeface based upon themes of either; time, sound, photography or light.

I chose sound and created a typeface I named 'Doppler".

The idea was based upon an object moving through air which not only must push some of the air out of the way, but it also creates sound waves. This moving source of sound causes what is known as the Doppler effect. When the object reaches the speed of sound, air cannot readily move out of the way and a shock wave is formed. When the object is moving faster than sound, the resulting sounds travel behind the object, creating a sonic boom.

This typeface explores the shapes created using sound waves and the wake of sound which objects leave behind them. I hope they find it interesting at least.