Thinking Conceptually

Object As Mark

Great Minds Project

Sean Adams (Layout and Composition)

Sean Adams is a very prolific and well respected person in the design community. Adams talked about how important it is for a designer to know about layouts and compositions. Layouts and compositions are the same as the steel frames of a building and are very important to the design process. Similar to layouts and compositions, grids are also very important when designing. Adams stated that grids are found throughout nature and that we are always surrounded by them, such as spider webs, honeycombs, and streets. Adams also specified that when creating grids, it is much more difficult to create symmetrical grids than it is to create asymmetrical grids. Besides layouts, compositions and grids there is one concept that is very important for designer, which is the golden ratio. The golden ration as known as the Fibonacci sequence can also be found throughout nature, such as a galaxy, shell or a flower. Adams also talked about the structure of a square and how it is used throughout the world. Squares are also very important in nature from creating the structure of a building to the small pixel used in a computer monitor. Adams also explained measuring increments about how 1 pica is equal to 1/6 of an inch and 12 points is equal to 1 pica. These measurements are important when setting type and talking with other designers. It is also important to not exceed a 52-character count and use 8.2501 font size, it’s better to stick to whole numbers. When Adams designs he needs to determine the clients message and attitude to reach the correct audience. Overall, Adams was particularly informative with the concepts that he talked about and was very good information to learn.

Ina Saltz

Ina Saltz talked about typography and how scale, color, contrast and hierarchy are very important to setting typography. It is important for the type to be read with comfort and ease, so that the reader stays interested in the long paragraphs. Saltz stated that when setting type it is important that there is typographic color. Typographic color is created with tonal weight or greyness, how smooth and even the type flows, and that there are no rivers, widows or orphans in the paragraphs. When the leading and font sizes are manipulated the color of the text changes. A good way to create contrast is to change the weight of the font. It is very important to know that red text on a black background or vice-versa is not a good match because it is difficult to look at with the human eye. In the same way yellow text on a white background or vice-versa is not a good match either. Saltz also stated that size matters and that more leading is always more inviting to the reader. It is also important to balance typography and pictures when they are utilized together, whether the entire or part of the picture is used. If a picture is ever used and are in doubt, just enlarge the image to make the designing process a bit easier. Saltz talked about how visual excitement, legibility, and readability are very important when using images in the design. Saltz agreed that if a shadow is going to be used with type then the best direction to use the shadow is in the South East direction, it is just more pleasing to the eye. Saltz provided a lot of beneficial and important information to young designers who are in need of help when using type.

Pattern

Modularity Font

Layers

Hierarchy

Heeber

Heeber who is another San Diego City College graduate explained and demonstrated the variations of calligraphy pens. Heeber is a graphic designer, calligraphy artist, and a custom calligraphy pen maker. Over the years Heeber realized that he didn’t want to be a graphic designer his whole life and he wanted to be able to do other things as well, which is when he discovered calligraphy. Heeber demonstrated a lot of different pens, such as the Pilot Parallel pen, brush pen, cola pen, and a ruling pen with the cola pen being his favorite. The cola pen has a special feature that anyone can grab an aluminum can and create their own tip/nip for their pen. Further on Heeber demonstrated the strengths and weaknesses of each different pen. A couple of times Heeber did wedding invitations and realized that it made good money, but was to tedious for him to continue. Heeber mentioned that he started calligraphy as a hobby, but turned out to be work he didn’t want to do, so then he started to make custom calligraphy pens. Heeber sells his pens and communicates with his clients through Instagram. Unlike other custom calligraphy pen makers Heeber’s main focus and his top seller is his ergonomic calligraphy pen. The ergonomic calligraphy pen is designed around the hand of the specific writer. Heeber has his clients send him pictures and measurements of their hand so that he can make the pen have the best fit in the writer’s hands. Heeber now plans on continuing making custom pens and hopefully expand his custom calligraphy pen making business. Overall, Heeber said many insightful things and demonstrated well the art of using calligraphy pens.