Discussion Point 3: Elki Lemmetty

Reflect on your perspectives and your position on the relevance of typographic conventions and traditions in contemporary publishing contexts. Discuss your views in the context of relevant examples.

With the new age contemporary thinking of ‘breaking the rules’ it is more important then ever of having knowledge of typographic conventions. It is by having an understanding of the rules and conventions that allow us as designers to design with visual consistency whilst also creating visually unique and aesthetically pleasing designs.

By following the conventions adjudicates for coherence within print and web based design. These rules provide us with a formula in which can help start off or use as a reference point on where to go next. Frankie Magazine is a good example of following the rules in terms of its typographic and page layout. The image is drawn to the headline due to its dominance of visual hierarchy however its position in the top left hand corner which to a English reader is drawn to first. The body copy is split into two columns, which utilises white space above and a full-page image on the continuing page. All of these effects being part of traditional conventions in print design.

Some may argue this however provides a mundane design. It is however only by knowing these rule that a designer is able to deconstruct a design to its fundamental features and create something that hasn’t been done before. This is seen within the layout bellow by Axel Peemoller, which rejects regular typographic rules creating a dramatic piece of communication. The eye however is confused on which item to view first due to the lack of visual hierarchy.

It is evident that both following the rules whilst also knowing to break them is a key element to a designer’s skill set. However with the dominance of web design the use of grid and typographic systems has risen to that of the importance when firstly constructed through traditional printing practices of letterpress.

References:

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Ydxt8Eu_nL9nbGd7ZYaHnpzw5lMXygei9aAsyKsxl4hMOFEFQdnGUK4MC9bB2xWg4PEJmdnNEmiQ3oyymXhjaioX-VxTYbJaBH9eDRW_nlS7V5vkQzArSEatYF8xAmVOcEkMh1Vm6Us/s1600/FrankieMagazineSpread.jpg

http://media.smashingmagazine.com/images/unusual-layouts/layouts-12.jpg