Assessment 2: Typographic Composition and Editorial Design Details
Sarah Le | N11244291 | DVB201: Typographic Design
Ladybird Light
For my zine, I was interested in the Ladybird Font after numerous researches on different serif fonts. This specific typeface was captivating from its elegant hairlines, strokes and elegance with a contemporary and historic feel to it. I wanted to explore how I can use the letters in this typeface to create a symbolic illustration. I was inspired by the last assessment when I created my own original typeface based on an iteration that transformed into a symbolic typeface. This iteration which turned into a system base created the typeface for my last assessment of 'Synnecta'.
I intend to explore the typeface trends, as this typeface has been recognised in a niche platform on the internet but not as widely popular. In terms of typeface trends, it comes under the popularity of using sleek, elegant san serif system base inspired by the Irish actor, Saoirse Ronan and the movie she played in called 'Ladybird'.
Grid Composition Drafting
Zine Layout Content
1. Front Cover
Ladybird Light
2. Contents
Contents
3. Contents
4 Feature Article
8 Type Design Profile
12 Type Trends
14 Typographic Info
15 About This Zine
4. Feature Article
5. Feature Article
Alli Cunanan, a renowned type designer from the Philippines, created Ladybird Light, a stunning work of art that enchants with its delicate nature. It is painstakingly crafted to perfectly imitate the pure elegance exuded by the renowned Irish actor Saoirse Ronan. It masterfully mixes razor-sharp serifs with wonderfully fine hairlines. This typeface invites viewers to become engrossed in its alluring appeal with a great balance between delicate aesthetics and specifics.
6. Feature Article
Lady Bird Light
7. Feature Article
The most recent design by renowned type designer Alli Cunanan, a Filipino native, Ladybird Light is a typographic marvel that captures the eye with its stunning contrasts and aesthetic alternates. Users are drawn into this font’s spellbinding power by its use, which is nothing short of hypnotic. Each and every glyph has been attentively made, exhibiting an unequalled level of attention to detail. While the upper-case characters spring forth with exuberant expressiveness, the lower-case characters radiate a soft, simple appeal. Users of the font are given a wide range of creative options by the huge collection of stylistic alternates available in it, giving them a wide range of resources with which to create their own unique visual narrative. A totally immersive typographic experience is provided by the harmonic fusion of beauty and usefulness.
8. Type Design Profile
9. Type Design Profile
Alli Cunanan is a Filipino designer and illustrator.
Alli specialises on graphic and type design in addition to illustration. Alli became interested in type design while interning at Hydra Design Group.
10. Type Design Profile
11. Type Design Profile
During her internship, Alli designed the Lorde font, which was inspired by one of her favourite artists. Alli's journey has included the creation of various designs such as Quadrilatica Sans and her personal favourite, Ladybird Light Serif, which was inspired by Irish actress Saoirse Ronan.
12. Type Trends
13. Type Trends
The contrast and elegance is a current typographic trend that is relevant to Ladybird Light. In order to produce a distinctive and opulent appearance, this trend emphasises the use of great contrast in typefaces by blending thick and thin strokes.
Because of its capacity to bring a sense of refinement and visual interest to typography, the contrast and elegance trend has gained recognition. It draws inspiration from historic typefaces noted for their dramatic contrast, such Bodoni, with a contemporary touch. Exaggerating the gap between thick and thin strokes is a common trend in this style, resulting in a more dynamic and expressive design.
To break free from the monotony of minimalist typefaces and experiment with a more ornamental and decorative approach, this trend was initially driven by a desire. The dynamic nature and impact of contrasting elements in type design are being embraced by designers, creating a distinctive visual experience that attracts attention and exudes a feeling of elegance.
This style marks a departure from the controlled minimalism of past years in the design sector. It invites designers to experiment with strong, expressive typefaces that stand out and make an impact. Designers may produce font that radiates refinement and enthrals viewers by embracing contrast and elegance, whether it’s used in branding, advertising, or other visual communications.
Additionally, this trend gives designers a chance to show off their originality and skill. It creates fresh possibilities for typographic expression and gives the design sector as a whole a hint of opulence and refinement.
14. Typographic Info
A important technical characteristic of type design that can be noticed in Ladybird Light is the attention to detail in the portrayal of hairlines. The typeface’s emphasis on small hairlines has a number of uses. The overall elegance and beauty of the font are enhanced by it. The typeface’s legibility and usefulness are also enhanced by the carefully placed hairlines. The hairlines in Ladybird Light are designed to be noticeable and readable even at small sizes or on low-quality printing materials.
Alli illustrates her commitment to designing a typeface that is both visually appealing and technically proficient. Ladybird Light establishes a beautiful balance between aesthetics and usefulness by focusing on the technical aspects of hairline design. The subtle hairlines enhance the font's attractiveness while preserving readability, emphasising the significance of minute detail in type design.
15. About This Zine
In the creation of this zine, using the upper-case 'B' to illustrate the ladybird icon, represents the name in itself of the typeface and emphasises the fine hairlines and attention to detail created by Alli Cunanan.
16. Back Cover
Sarah Le
N12244291
10th June 2023
All Pages
Front and Back Cover
Content Spreads
Reflection
I took a lot of consideration in the illustration on how to portray this typeface with symbolic meaning. I took a look at the letters both upper and lower-case, and played around the shapes. I found that the upper-case 'B' which was mirrored against each other, created this symmetrical base that coincidentally formed the body of a ladybird. I create a mix of the various thumbnails from my grid composition drafting and played with the composition of these layouts using the typographic composition grids which was shown during tutorial sessions.
I originally planned the layouts and how I can incorporate a cohesive but unique design pattern using the ladybird icon I created in each thumbnail layout. I planned the layout design first with no colour, and then added it in my two chosen colours which was a bright red and a muted red, with a muted, light warm, green background colour. I originally planned the two colour to be red and green which linked back to the ladybird symbolism and the inspiration of the Irish actress, however the green did not result in the outcome that I expected so I chose a muted red colour to play around and use a shadow effect of the bright red colour.
With the curving of the ladybird icon in pages 10, 11, 14 and 15, I wanted to mimic the flow of the ladybird flying into the next page which created a figure and ground perspective for the viewers to follow. I did not add much detailing to the background as I kept the white positive and negative space free to focus on the attention to detail in the font icon made by Alli. I wanted a cohesive but unique layout design. This is shown evidently throughout the content in each spread. I made the left page the first big, eye catching which leads the audience to the right page's content.
For the last spread, I created a dimensional illustration of the ladybird icon progressively appearing smaller as it flew into the flower I created using the letter 'C' as the petals and the letter 'L' for the stem. This provided an additional meaning as it represented the ladybird association with the flower which was related back to the mutualism symbiotic relationship link that I did in my previous assessment for this unit.
Overall, I am satisfied with my zine spread about my chosen typeface as it was an interesting and intriguing task to complete. The results in the outcome have appeared as how I expected during the designing process of the compositions of the page and illustration using the typeface. It was also interesting to create a symbolic illustration icon out of the typeface.
References
Murphy, Z. (2020). Ladybird Light: A New Serif Font By Philippines-based Type Designer Alli Cunanan. Type 01. Retrieved by Jun 13, 2023 from https://type-01.com/ladybird-light-a-new-serif-font-by-philippines-based-type-designer-alli-cunanan/
Type Department. (n/a). Ladybird Light by Alli Cunanan. Type Department. Retrieved by Jun 13, 2023 from https://type-department.com/collections/serif-fonts/products/ladybird-light/
