Session 3: Task 1

Task

From two books, consider the typeface used.

The group chose this image/text due to its lack of readability. We all agreed that the image itself is strong and unique with a really interesting texture which seemingly combines traditional and contemporary approaches to design, however the typeface is far too squashed and compacted to read, even as adults we struggle to read the type quickly due to the way the ascending letters almost combine, and the rounded letters seemingly merge. In addition the manner in which the type is white against a dark background may have an effect on how we read it. People are so used to reading dark on white that this most likely contributes to the lack of clarity. Personally I find it unusual that the designer has used a serif font when overall the image is quite contemporary. This may have been a choice based on the context of the images (sailboats and watercolour as quite traditional themes and medium) yet again the way the image has been taken into a digital format and has been edited makes me feel a sans serif or more modern typeface may have been more successful. The typeface is also quite light and a heavier density may help the readability when using a light on dark style. The ascender height does not appear to have been considered efficiently either, when reading from a distance the text is not well defined in its upper and lower areas.

Here, the type compliments the illustrations perfectly. There is a sense of texture through the slightly rough edges and overall feels organic and passive much like the rest of the image. The pastel colours contribute to a feeling of calm and positivity. Also, the text in itself is playful and interactive through its positioning and structure on the page. The differentiation in size allows a separation in the text which distinguishes sentences and more dominant words such as "Twit-twoo!" that children may enjoy reading in a more enthusiastic manner. In addition the waving structure of the lines makes a connection with the cooky and organic, rural feeling illustrations. The ascenders reach clearly above the rest of the word and the serif style with larger spacing between letters creates real clarity. Overall this is a very successful relationship between illustration and text that children would respond to nicely.