Designing with Type

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Ver. 2
Ver. 1


Either write, or find a passage of text that is no less than 100 words.

Use your raw text in any manner, repeating the text if you wish to suit your visual exploration and creativity.

Produce 4 versions: Produce 4 x alternative creative layout designs utilising only text.
NOTE: you are required to apply the same text to all of the 4 design solutions. All designs are to be developed as purely black and white - no greyscale.

> Version 1: Use one font only

>Version 2: Use two different weights of the same typeface design.

>Version 3+4: Any font style and weight combinations.

Format 200mm x 200mm

Open to comments.

Melbourne City Logo Makeover

It seems Melbourne City's getting an upgrade in the form of a new logo.
Or what counts as an upgrade it seems.

$25, 000 spent on a new logo design that looks like something a prep school student could do on MS Paint. The new logo has drawn lots of flak regarding its representation of the city's vibrant and creative vibes. Many commenting that it is merely a "cut-and-paste" design of Federation Square.

Residents of the city of Monash are crying foul too, stating that the new logo is much too similar to theirs - that of a big "M", of which they have been using since 1995, and actually stood for something.

Compare the logos above, the top being the previous logo and the 2nd being the "upgrade". Now, look at the 3rd picture (Federation Square) and tell me you don't agree it's a rip off. Then have a look at the last picture, which is the logo of Monash. Appalled yet?
*Pictures do not enlarge*

You can read more of the article at this link.

Whether or not it is worth the taxpayer's money, you be the judge.

A Look Out My Window

Awaken to grey skies.
It's so dark and cold it's depressing.
Kinda like Soviet Russia.
Hmmm...

Typography, and a Little Porn

I think my typography lecturer is just amazing. The amount of drive and influence he has on the topic is really infectious. Plus, he is really good at what he does! It was a real pleasure hearing him share his knowledge on typography. About the weights, textures, tonal values, accenders, decenders, counters, subtle differences... the topics were just boundless. One can really see that he is at the zenith of his field by the passion he displays while talking about type.

"Type is just like clothes. You have to select them. What suits you might not suit someone else. It is an intricate design. It is woven finely, like a shirt. And it should be smooth and pleasing to the eye."

Gosh I can't wait to get more out of him.

Anyway, caught Avenue Q today!!! Omg was it a blast! The show had me in stitches the entire time! I'm really glad I caught it here since I missed the one in Singapore. The cast, albeit not the original broadway one, were terrific. And they added an Aussie flavour by deviating a little from the script so that we can relate. Like there was a scene where the entire cast poured out into the audience to collect "donations" and when they got back on stage to examine the loot, one of them found a 2 hour metcard that had only 5 minutes left. Definitely recommended!

Oh and Trekkie was awesome. And you know the ad for Avenue Q that said "live puppet sex"?
Yup.
It's true.

Bitchin'

What a start, oh my god
Assignments assignments assignments, lots!
Whatever happened to the famed first week
Where we can all just go to school and sleep
Well why then this big rude shock
Homework's in and fun is out
No need to worry, they all say
First week's all about laugh and play
For catching up with all your pals
And chatting up those cute new gals
But no, oh no, this cruel joke
Work is assigned as soon as my lecturer spoke
First sem is nothing but a breeze
Your workload's doubled! That's the jist!
Forget the slacking, 3 day week
Time to work your ass off, so to speak
Two new softwares to learn at hand
Looks like I've got new best friends
Adobe Dreamweaver and InDesign
Not very easy, you would find
But nevertheless I shall endeavor
ID and DW can kiss my posterior
To lead, excel and overcome
May be a daunting task to some
But I shall make it out to be
Because Shawn Heng wants his beloved HD

Probably a feeble attempt at poetry but I wanted it to end with a HD. Ha! Screw you if you didn't think that was good! LOL!

SCSM 2009

Alright I've registered for Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2009. Woooo~

Ok now to train. It's gonna be hard training in cold weather then going back to the hot humid messy air in Singapore.

Next up, to register and train for Melbourne Marathon in October. I think its kinda messed up that Adidas is dropped and New Balance is the new sponsor but aww well.. At least the Melbourne Marathon is sponsored by Asics! Yay!! But the sad thing is the registration fee is so high and you have to buy the event tee and running tee. Double aww...

Anyway, school's reopening on Monday. Back to school, back to school. Hope I do better this sem. I really miss Singapore. Heh...

Results

Yup, results were out yesterday and to be honest, I wasn't very happy with them.

Studio A: Credit (66)
Studio B: Distinction (74)
Studio C: Distinction (73)
Design & Theory A: Result Withheld

My theory result was withheld due to some complications that involves 11 other students so until the lecturer returns from break, I wouldn't know what went wrong. Oh well. Hoping nothing goes wrong cos I worked really hard on that project.

Anyways, on another note, I've been composing!
Ok maybe not really composing, more of editing if you will.
I've converted "Lemon Tree" into what's now my favourite song, "Yellow Pee"~!

Yellow Pee (Sung to the tune of Lemon Tree)

I'm sitting here in this boring room
Just another rainy Sunday afternoon
I'm spending my time, I've got something to do
I try to get it out but it won't get through
And nothing ever happens, and I wonder

I'm trying to shit in my car
I'm pushing hard hoping I will get far
I'd like to change my point of view
It's so smelly that I'd rather see you
But nothing ever happens, and I wonder

I wonder how, I wonder why
When I'm constipated I cannot Pang Sai
And all that I can see
Is just a stream of yellow pee
I'm turning my ass
Round and round
I'm turning turning turning turning turning around
And all that I can see
Is just a sea of yellow pee

Say Mmmm (forceful like shitting)

I'm sitting here, I have no power
I'm trying so hard I am biting a towel
There's a heavy turd as big as my head
I feel so tired I wanna go to bed
But nothing ever happens, and I wonder

Constipation is not good for me
Constipation, I don't want to keep sitting here and pee
Finally now I'm a happy boy
I crapped out the turd and now I'm filled with joy
After everything that's happened, now you wonder

You wonder how, you wonder why
When I'm constipated I cannot Pang Sai
And all that you can see
Is just a stream of yellow pee
I'm turning my ass
Round and round
I'm turning turning turning turning turning around
And all that you can see
Is just a sea of yellow pee

You wonder wonder

You wonder how, you wonder why
When I'm constipated I cannot Pang Sai
And all that you can see
Is just a stream of yellow pee
I'm turning my ass
Round and round
I'm grinding grinding grinding grinding grinding around
And all that you can see
And all that you can see
And all that I can see
Is just a sea of yellow pee

Rejoice

Just got back our folios today. Here are the TENTATIVE results before the combined one goes live on Monday 13th July.

Studio A :
Credit

Studio B :
(Colourways) Distinction
(Repeat Patterns) Distinction
(Movie Poster) Distinction

Studio C :
(Live Drawing) Distinction
(Metamorphosis Flip Book) Distinction
(3 Conversational Cards) High Distinction

Nervously awaiting the final results. Hopefully I get Distinctions for everything after moderation! Wish me luck!

Centennial

This is a milestone centennial post for shawndownunder. It has taken me 6 months to get to a century so I would reckon this blog will contain almost 600 posts by the time I graduate.

Just completed my first foray into website design. Got to admit, it looks freakishly amateurish - akin to something produced in prep school. I've seen better stuff done by some adolescent on their myspace or facebook page. Anyway, I'm not a trained web designer. Got zero knowledge on web design softwares. And yes, I did it entirely on photoshop. Haha!

Kevin's bound to have something to say.