Studio Task 2 Modula Alphabet

Today we were set a new task which involved us using objects to create a set of three shapes to build a complete alphabet. These could be used to make either a 2d or 3d set of letterforms; dense, solid, open or split apart. 

I started my process by going through my old grid sketches and compiling ones that i thought would flow together throughout all the letterforms. I took inspiration from one of my line drawings which reminded me of  hieroglyphics but with a more simplistic and line based characteristic.  

I first tried creating the typeface using a set of three shapes (triangle rectangle square) cut into sponges so that the text would be inverted when printed and would have a sharp clean block colour look to it. This didn't end up coming out the way I wanted as the print was rough and not very clear.

I left this idea behind as I didn't feel as though it could be developed further to create a set of letterforms which would be uniquely recognisable and flow together. Instead I chose to make 3d cuts outs from cardboard which would create a set of letter forms which would work together as standing pieces. I liked this result as it gave me a very polished and clean finish, which I could further develop and create more letterforms from, i.e. shadow formed from light hitting the letter forms. 

While I do like the result of this 3d piece, and maybe I will take this piece forward, but I felt like a clean 2d letterform was needed. Then I came across the idea that most of my letterforms looked like blips from a heartbeat monitor which intrigued me as the heart is the quintessential idea of something flowing on time/ on beat. 

I feel like this piece can be adapted in illustrator into a type form which is unique and flows together smoothly through the continued form of the text and the literal blip line connecting the text together. 

This heart rate monitor has a similar look to it than some of my line drawings from the 50 font types I drew from the start of the week. This could be adapted into a letterform which presents the letterforms as straight line frequency's similar to the monitor on the left.

This monitor is similar to the last but has a lot more data recorded, giving a more complete set. I like the look of the dots being lighter or darker as they form a piece which takes time and focus to clearly see the full picture. It is quite a relaxing image to look at as it flows smoothly together through blended shades, which in turn affects the viewers own heart rate (slows down).

This is a typical heart rate monitor. I feel my typeface could be adapted and built upon this. The line in the centre could be used as the base line and the text could be built on it (letters could drop below or rise above depending on their shape). I would potentially use different shapes as I don't think all of mine would fit into the mould of the frequency waves. These letters would follow the same baseline, the middle line on the monitor, but would vary depending on the size of the text.