Within this week I explored the city of Leeds. I took my sketchbook with me and recorded different things I saw on my trip. I included observational drawings, sketches, line drawings etc. I wanted to commit to this idea as previously my work and research has been confined to my perfectionism. I often organise and plan my ideas without showing initial concepts in fear of it appearing messy. However i tried to push out of this comfort zone as it restricts me to developing my ideas further. Therefore I kept my rough sketches and annotated around explaining my thought process. I think immersing myself in my project and drawing surroundings has really helped spark up new concepts and pathways.
Whilst in Leeds I took some photos of the area as well as the art gallery I visited. It’s interesting to think about architecture within cities looking at the contrast in structures and scale of buildings. They play a big role in city life when considering economic growth, population and industrial factors. It’s interesting to question the history and witness old style structured roofs as well as certain buildings becoming more modernised. In terms of the gallery I found it helpful especially when looking at Manuela Amey who hand painted over thirty signs. It was fascinating to see the variation in type using different media and considering things like negative space. Although her message was about finding love I liked how the signs were immersed in city life casted over parking spaces, skateboard slopes etc.
At this point in the project I wanted to do some visual research and media exploration. After looking at the embroidery work in hull art gallery I wanted to explore it for myself. Especially as it’s a media I’ve never used before. I thought it would be interesting to explore type as it’s seen everywhere within cities and signs and largely impacts readers depending on what it’s communicating and the composition. I worked off packaging I found inviting and varied into my own design. I wanted to vary the thickness of thread which definitely meant for a contrast in boldness. I also tried different materials purely to see the effectiveness of the outcome. The thin plastic like sheets were fascinating as it forced me to join the letters due to it being see through. This meant you could see the stitch behind meaning you didn’t have to go back on yourself. It also created a fun pattern where only certain parts of the letter came over the sheet. I explored bubbled writing and also working into netting.
Here I did some artist research looking into Evelin Kasikov. It was interesting to see the different approach taken on to typography. It made me think about the Incorporation of media and how it can be included in lettering not purely pieces. I also looked into the books ‘just my type’ and ‘thinking with type’. It exposed me to a lot of different fonts making me think a lot more about composition of words. How to play around with alignment and placement of letters. I particularly liked how the words ‘compression’ and ‘disruption’ depicted the actual word.
