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VCB313 Advanced Computer Illustration

Exercise: Fun With Type

Type is on of the most important ingredients in design. Just about every discipline uses type in some way; it matters not if you're creating corporate identity, designing posters, web sites, animation, album covers, television graphics, or video games—you're going to use type at some point. Therefore it is paramount that you understand the rules of typography. But it's also helpful to know about different and unusual ways type can be used in design. In this exercise we will explore some creative ways to use type.

Procedure

  1. Open Illustrator and create a new document 8 1/2 x 11 vertical). Save it as yourName_typeEx.ai
  2. Create an example of masked type:
    3. Masked text
    1. Grab the (regular) text tool, click on the page, and write your name. Choose a thick, bold font (like Impact or Arial Bold). Set the font to 72 pts. in size.
    2. Place an image on the page (go File > Place and navigate to the Photoshop > Samples folder and select the Dune, for example). Scale it down to the size of the text (just a bit larger).
    3. Send the image behind the text ("Send to back" or use the layer palette to rearrange the items).
    4. Select both items. Choose Object > Clipping Mask > Make.
    5. Select the type and go Type > Create Outlines.
  3. Create an example of warped type:
    4. Warped text
    1. Type your name again; once again using a bold, blocky font. As before, make it 72 pts. This time give it a solid fill color.
    2. Select the type, then open the Appearance palette. From the list of options in the upper-right-hand corner of the palette, choose Add New Fill. Select a gradient for the fill.
    3. Modify the gradient: add colors, and change it's direction to vertical with the Gradient tool.
    4. Go to Object > Envelope Distort > Envelope Options and make sure "Distort Linear Gradients" is checked.
    5. Go to Object > Envelope Distort > Make With Warp.
    6. Enable Preview. Choose a warp style (Arch, Arc, Rise, etc.) and play with the settings. Once you have something you like, click OK.
    7. Go to Object > Expand (this will create outlines and preserve the warp effect).
  4. Create an example of "crunched" type:
    5. Crunched text
    1. Type your name again; once again using a bold, blocky font. As before, make it 72 pts.
    2. Over the top of the text draw a rectangle with no fill.
    3. With the rectangle selected, go to Object > Path > Add Anchor Points. Repeat this again to add more points to the rectangle.
    4. Use the Direct Selection tool to move the anchor points, creating a "crunched" box.
    5. With both the text and the box selected, go to Object > Envelope Distort > Make With Top Object.
    6. Go to Object > Expand.
    7. To do some additional crutching (or as an alternative to the method described above), select the text, then go to Object > Envelope Distort > Make With Mesh. Try 4 columns and 6 rows (or any number you'd prefer).
    8. Notice that a grid appears over the text. Deselect, grab the Direct Selection Tool, and use it to drag the control points in the mesh grid. Note how the text becomes even more distorted.
  5. Create an example of 3D type:
    6. 3-D text
    1. Type your name again; once again using a bold, blocky font. As before, make it 72 pts.
    2. Choose Effect > Warp > Arch (you can also click on the Make Envelope button and choose Arch). In the Arch dialog box choose Horizontal; set the Bend amount to 25%; and the Horizontal Distortion to –25%. Click OK. You'll end up with something that looks a bit like the Raiders of the Last Ark logo.
    3. Choose Object > Expand Appearance (this will create outlines and preserve the warp effect).
    4. Now choose Effect > 3D > Extrude & Bevel. In the 3D dialog box you will see three fields next to the big cube graphic: one has a red arrow next to it, one green, and one blue. In the first field type 15; in the second type –15, and in the third type 0. Set the Extrude Depth to 50 pt, and make sure the first Cap button is selected. Set the Bevel to "None" (if it is not already). Click Ok.
    5. Choose Object > Expand Appearance again (this will create outlines and preserve the 3D effect).
  6. Create an example of "olde offset" type:
    7. Olde offset text
    1. Once again type your name using a big block font, 72 pt.
    2. next to or below the text, draw a rectangle roughly the same size. Fill the rectangle with black.
    3. With the rectangle selected, go to Effect > Stylize > Scribble. In the dialog box that pops up enter 4 for "Curviness" and 42% for its variation. Enter 8px for "Spacing" with 1px for its variation. Click OK.
    4. With the scribble selected choose Object > Expand Appearance.
    5. Open the Brushes palette. From the options menu (upper-right-hand corner) choose Brush Libraries > Artistic_ChalkCharcoalPencil. Apply the "Pencil Thick" brush to the scribble line (choose "List View" in the palette options to see the names of the brushes).
    6. Drag the scribble box into the Swatches palette to create a pattern.
    7. Fill your text with the scribble pattern.
    8. Open the Appearance window. Choose Add new Fill.
    9. With this new fill selected, choose Effect > Path > Offset Path. In the dialog box enter -1pt for the offset.
    10. In the Appearance window, select "Characters" (this will select the original letters). Go to Effect > Distort & transform > Roughen. Click on "Absolute" and enter a small value (.5pt–1pt)
    11. Finally, go to Object > Expand Appearance.

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