Project 2: Interactive Type Specimen (Phase I: Research)

September 26 2023, 0 Comments

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Originally created to show off metal type for use by printers, type specimens have developed into sophisticated print pieces used to sell typefaces to graphic designers. Specimens usually include sections showing the collection of glyphs in the face, all characters, and the typeface in use across a variety of fictional but carefully selected and crafted compositions and contexts.

So… “typeface” or “font” — which is correct?

A typeface is the entire family, while a font is a subset (one size, weight, or width of the typeface)

Assignment Brief:
For this project, you will design and code an Interactive Type Specimen website or app for a Google Font of your choice. You will work with traditional design attributes such as composition, color, scale, value, etc. in combination with interactive attributes such as sequence, narrative, behavior, participation, change, aspects of time, and motion. We will follow the design process to create a working prototype and use a Text Editor (Studio Visual Code) to code out our designs.
*Consider the 5 Dimensions of Interaction Design.

Phase I : Research
As we have learned, Interactive Design is a subset of User Experience Design. You will use the Design Thinking Process throughout this project and the entirety of the semester. Design thinking is a non-linear, iterative process that teams use to understand users, challenge assumptions, redefine problems, and create innovative solutions to prototype and test. 

Design Thinking Process
Empathize
Define
Ideate
Prototype
Test

Starting in the Empathize Phase you will research your Google Font. Consider the following:
+ Date the font was created and where
+ Were there significant global events, movements, and pop-culture events happening at this time?
+ Who is the Type Designer, Foundry or Firm that designed the typeface?
+ Where has this typeface been used? (Visual research)
+ What inspired the typeface? (A place, person, another typeface)
+ How many font variations does this typeface have?
+ Was this typeface created to solve a design problem?

WeekClass DatesMilestone
Week 5Thu 9/24Project 2 Phase II; review inspiration examples; finalize research direction.
Week 6Tue 9/29Present your typeface of choice.
Thu 10/1Present type specimen project research.
Week 7Tue 10/6Online type specimen exploration & development.
Thu 10/8Present concept sketches for type specimen website.
Week 8Tue 10/13Individual critiques / in-class working session.
Thu 10/15Complete comps for type specimen due.
Week 9Tue 10/20Present site map & entry-point/homepage direction; coding begins.
Thu 10/22Present first coded page/section (work-in-progress) for desk crit.
Week 10Tue 10/27Present functional interactive prototype for critique.
Thu 10/29Individual critiques / in-class working session — refine based on feedback.
Week 11Tue 11/3Present near-final prototype; peer usability testing.
Thu 11/5Assemble presentation deck (research, sketches, prototype); rehearsal begins.
Week 12Tue 11/10Final rehearsal / tech check.
Thu 11/12Final presentations: Project 2 due (deck with research, sketches, and full prototype).

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