Project 3 : Project Description
Project Description
When sentences are assembled together to form paragraphs, new problems arise for the designer/typographer. To better understand these issues, students will create a series of exercise sheets that explore important factors and control subtle variables in the setting of type in a sequence of paragraphs of text.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this project a student will be able to:
  • Demonstrate the synthesize information provided provided by 3 different authorities on typography and apply this synthesized knowledge to coursework.
  • Demonstrate the ability to perceive and evaluate subtle factors in the setting of paragraphs of text
  • Demonstrate the ability to control issues of readability of text and resolve common typographic problems such as orphans, widows, and rivers in the setting of paragraphs of text
  • Demonstrate the ability to select appropriate combinations of text typefaces, pt. sizes, leading and line length for comfortable reading of text.
Project Parameters
Students must use Adobe InDesign for this project. Students must also download and use the Project 3 InDesign Template provided on the PDF Files page. Finally students must follow a simple series of project steps listed below.
Step 1 : Completely Understand the Project
Completely read all project information provided by instructor (including grading criteria.)
Step 2 : Reading Assignments
Read the following pages:
James Felici, Complete Manual of Typography: Pages 103-163
John Kane, A Type Primer: Pages 75-113
and the Reading Assignment 6 PDF file found on the PDF Files page
Step 3 : Select an Essay
Using a web browser visit the following website:
http://www.typotheque.com/articles/essays.html
Read several of the essays provided on this website and select one essay as the text you will use for your Project 3 exercise sheets.
Step 4 : Select an Appropriate Typeface
Select a single typeface appropriate for setting passages and paragraphs of text. (The roman or regular weight of a basic serif or sans serif typeface family.) Please avoid using any italic, condensed, extended, or bold typefaces. Also please avoid any script, decorative, or display typefaces. Finally please do not select either Times Roman, Times New Roman, or Courier as your typeface. you will be using this single typeface for all of your project 3 worksheets.
Step 5 : Prepare the Template File
Download the Project 3 Indesign Template from the PDF Files page. Then copy 2-3 paragraphs from your selected essay (see Step 3) and paste this text into the typebox found in your InDesign Template. Make sure to convert all the text to the typeface you selected in Step 4 above.
Step 6 : Flush Left Exercises
Using the chart provided below create a total of 48 simple flush-left paragraph exercises (4 exercises per worksheet = 12 worksheets) Pay close attention to the ragged right-edge of each paragraph, if the shape of the rag seems awkward, incorrect or inappropriate fix it by inserting a hard return to force the copy to re-flow to the next line. (Base your decisions on the knowledge you gained from your reading assignments in Step 2.) Also fix any orphans, widows and any problematic hyphenation in your exercises.
Worksheet #
Exercise #
Pt. Size
Leading
Line Lengths
1
1-4
8 pt
8 pt
12 pica 0 pt.
16 pica 0 pt.
20 pica 0 pt.
24 pica 0 pt.
2
5-8
8 pt
9 pt
12 pica 0 pt.
16 pica 0 pt.
20 pica 0 pt.
24 pica 0 pt.
3
9-12
8 pt
10 pt
12 pica 0 pt.
16 pica 0 pt.
20 pica 0 pt.
24 pica 0 pt.
4
13-16
8 pt
11 pt
12 pica 0 pt.
16 pica 0 pt.
20 pica 0 pt.
24 pica 0 pt.
5
17-20
10 pt
10 pt
12 pica 0 pt.
16 pica 0 pt.
20 pica 0 pt.
24 pica 0 pt.
6
21-24
10 pt
11 pt
12 pica 0 pt.
16 pica 0 pt.
20 pica 0 pt.
24 pica 0 pt.
7
25-28
10 pt
12 pt
12 pica 0 pt.
16 pica 0 pt.
20 pica 0 pt.
24 pica 0 pt.
8
29-32
10 pt
13 pt
12 pica 0 pt.
16 pica 0 pt.
20 pica 0 pt.
24 pica 0 pt.
9
33-36
11 pt
11 pt
12 pica 0 pt.
16 pica 0 pt.
20 pica 0 pt.
24 pica 0 pt.
10
37-40
11 pt
12 pt
12 pica 0 pt.
16 pica 0 pt.
20 pica 0 pt.
24 pica 0 pt.
11
41-44
11 pt
13 pt
12 pica 0 pt.
16 pica 0 pt.
20 pica 0 pt.
24 pica 0 pt.
12
45-48
11 pt
14 pt
12 pica 0 pt.
16 pica 0 pt.
20 pica 0 pt.
24 pica 0 pt.
Step 7 : Justified Exercises
Using the same chart provided above in Step 6 create another set of 48 paragraph exercises (4 exercises per worksheet = 12 worksheets) This set of exercises will be set in Justified paragraphs. Pay close attention to the changes in spacing and texture from line to line. If you see "rivers", overly loose lines, or overly tight lines of text fix them. (Base your decisions on the knowledge you gained from your reading assignments in Step 2.) Also fix any orphans, widows and any problematic hyphenation in your exercises.
Step 8 : Provide Printouts to Your Peers
Once you have complete all 24 worksheets printout 2 complete sets using a laserprinter, or photocopier (no inkjet please.) You will provide 1 complete set to your instructor. You will also give worksheets to 2 randomly selected students for peer evaluation. Give the set of Flush-Left exercises to one peer and the set of Justified exercises to the other peer.
Step 9 : Provide Clear Feedback to your Peers
Once students have completed their worksheets, each student must exchange their work with other (randomly-selected) students. All students must then evaluate two of their peers work and provide specific feedback. When evaluating your peer's work please focus on two types of feedback, first what combination of pt. size, leading and line-length is most comfortable for lengthy reading. Secondly please provide clear feedback on any noticeable typographic errors such as rivers in justified settings, problems with the ragged right-edge in flush left settings, orphans, widows, and sequences of too many hyphenated lines in a row. Indicate these problems by circling or highlighting and labeling them with appropriate vocabulary terms. You may use an ink pen to circle and label these keywords.
Step 10 : Photocopy and Distribute Your Feedback
You will need to distribute your feedback to both of your peers as well as to your instructor. Make sure that you have two copies of your feedback comments, one set goes back to the other students and the other must be submitted to the instructor. Make sure to write your name on all feedback materials submitted.
Vocabulary Terms