Erik Porter’s
Type
Specimen
Book
Erik’s
Type
Specimen
Book
*Artist / Designer - Erik Porter *Professor James Miller *VPA 380
*Advanced Graphic Design *Not for Individual Sale or Print
*Spring 2013 Semester *Erik Porter’s Type Specimen Book
*Erik Conde Porter *Helvetica Bold *Trajan Pro *Edition One
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Trajan Pro Font
2-3
Bitmapped Letterforms 4-5
Text Heavy6 - 8
Type Crimes Personal Designs Colophon 9
10 - 12
13
1
Trajan Pro
I do not have a knowledge of many types of fonts
but I came across Trajan Pro while preparing my
poster for the “Rite off-Centre” Performance that
was performed by students here at Cal State San
Marcos. This font immediately grabbed my
interest because I have always enjoyed the strong,
potent, and historical fonts that are used by
designers. This font reminds me of historically
based movies that i really enjoy like The Gladiator
and 300. Though this font does not have a large
family, there are only two weights, regular and
bold. This definitely makes this font tough to
work with but the strength of this font would
lose its justice if it were to be “light” or lowercased. I have seen this font used in a few movies
such as Black Swan and Titanic. Seeing it in the
posters for these movies create a feeling of power
and intensity that may arise in the movie, which is
very important for designers to accomplish,
evoking a reader’s emotions. I am sure that I will
come across fonts that I will admire just as much
as Trajan Pro, but for now, this is my favorite
font that I have a “Love-Affair” with.
2
Trajan Pro
Facts
-Trajan is an old style serif typeface designed in
1989 by Carol Twombly for Adobe. The design is
based on the letterforms of capitalis monumentalis or Roman square capitals, as used for the
inscription at the base of Trajan’s Column from
which the typeface takes its name.
-Since the inscription and its writing form
manifests in only one case, Trajan is an
all-capitals typeface. Instead, small caps are
commonly used, and a more complete set of
glyphs contained in Trajan Pro (a 2001 update
of the original typeface) includes a lower case of
small caps.
-Although Twombly was the first to do a very
literal translation of the Trajan inscription into
type, a number of interpretations (with added
lowercase alphabets) predate Twombly’s while
having similar forms for capitals has a markedly
medieval lowercase. There are also numerous
prominent typefaces that are not revivals, but
owe a very clear debt to the Trajan letterforms,
most notably Hermann Zapf’s 1955 Optima.
3
Bitmapped
Letterforms
My Examples of
Bitmapped Letterforms
A bitmap font is one that stores each glyph as an array of pixels
(that is, a bitmap). It is less commonly known as a raster font.
Bitmap fonts are simply collections of raster images of glyphs.
For each variant of the font, there is a complete set of glyph images,
with each set containing an image for each character.
For example, if a font has three sizes, and any combination of bold
and italic, then there must be 12 complete sets of images.
Advantages Include:
Extremely fast and simple to render.
Unscaled bitmap fonts always give exactly
the same output.
Easier to create than other kinds.
4
The two designs above are my attempt at creating a bitmapped
letterform font. This assignment actually took much longer
than I expected but it was still very fun and creative. it was
very interesting to see how often bitmapped fonts are used
in our every day life, a lot more than I realized.
5
COMMON TYPOGRAPHIC DISEASES
Various forms of dysfunction appear
among populations exposed to
typography for long periods of time.
Listed here are a number of frequently
observed afflictions.
Typophilia: An excessive attachment to
and fascination with the shape of letters,
often to the exclusion of other interests
and object choices. Typophiliacs usually
one has selected the wrong typeface.
According to Scrojo
(http://www.scrojo.com/), a promotional
poster should answer three questions:
This condition is often paired with okd
Why? When? Where?
Typochondria: A persistent anxiety that
(optical kerning disorder), the need to
constantly adjust and read just the
spaces between letters.
Typothermia: The promiscuous
refusal to make a lifelong commitment
to a single typeface—or even to five or
die penniless and alone.
six, as some doctors recommend. The
Typophobia: The irrational dislike of
test drive “hot” new fonts, often without
letterforms, often marked by a
preference for icons, dingbats, and—in
fatal cases—bullets and daggers. The
fears of the typophobe can often be
quieted (but not cured) by steady doses
of Helvetica and Times Roman.
Ranking for Hierarchy
typothermiac is constantly tempted to
a proper license.
Ellen Lupton, Thinking with Type, 2nd
revised and expanded edition: A Critical
Guide for Designers, Writers, Editors,
& Students (Design Briefs) (New York,
Princeton Press, 2004, 2010)
All remaining information is subordinate.
Unless restricted from doing so,
consider adding information of your own
to support or elaborate upon the primary
question—why?
This is where research is needed. Both
textual and visual solutions need to be
explored to build a visual statement, a
unified whole—bigger than the sum of its
parts.
The existing fan is already sold. The goal
of the poster (commercially) is to grab
a potential fan who comes to the event
based solely on the poster.
No job is finished without a few client
changes; use the proofing process to
your advantage. Go ahead and add supportive text or remove what
you may consider extraneous. The client
may like your words better than their
own.
Establish a hierarchy. Rank groupings
into order of importance—what you wish
to be read first, then second, and so on.
6
Don’t let the given order of importance
influence you overly. You may wish to
emphasize a different order, based on
logic or aesthetics of your own.
Copy/paste each line of text into its
own text box so it may be moved
around and stylized independently.
Ranking now saves time later.
Create subsets within the rankings.
(i.e. “Organized By,” can be
significantly less emphasized than,
“University Global Affairs
Committee.”) Although ranked the
same, the identifier is not as important
as the proper noun, but must remain
clustered to make logical sense.
Subdivide text groupings with line
breaks into smaller units and remove
extraneous punctuation and
conjunctions. Simplify text wherever
possible. (you can add these items
back in later, if necessary)
Use only high-resolution photos (300
ppi). Bear in mind that pixel
information can only scaled so far, but
vector information (text) can be scaled
without degradation of image.
7
Quotes
Type Crimes
situates words in space more relentlessly than writing ever did. Writing moves words from
“thePrint
sound world to a world of visual space, but print locks words into position in this space.
Control of position is everything in print. Printed texts look machine-made, as they are. In
handwriting, control of space tends to be ornamental, ornate, as in calligraphy. Typographic control
typically impresses most by its tidiness and invisibility: the lines perfectly regular, all justified on the
right side, everything coming out even visually, and without the aid of guidelines or ruled borders
that often occur in manuscripts. This is an insistent world of cold, non-human, facts.
- Quote adapted from Walter Ong, Orality and Literacy: The Technologizing of the Word (London
and New York: Methuen, 1982)
Most common type crimes:
”
Overusing Drop Shadows
Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your
“imagination.
Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems,
dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of
water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If
you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic.
– Jim Jarmusch
”
design is primarily a medium of communication. Graphic designers balance the aesthet“ic Graphic
against the communicative, the innovative against the expected. Asked to deliver not only the
commercial interpretation of image, but also the accurate edification of word, graphic artists by
definition must remain sensitive to external and internal influences, daring to open their eyes and
really look. But then they must don their armor and thicken their skin to withstand the criticism and
mixed reactions from an audience of varying tastes. What your client likes and expects plays a big
part in what you choose to emphasize. Run with whatever creative license comes your way!
- James Miller
8
”
Forced Italics/Skewing
Stroking Poorly
Mispellings
Kerning
‘Hatch Marks in Place of Quotations’
Leading:
Like
This
grammatical, Errors.
Alignment
S
T
A
C
K
I
N
G
9
Personal Designs
Personal Designs
Rite-off Centre
Menu Redesign
The VPA Department
Presents the Annual CSUSM
Spring Dance Concert
Lunch
Rite off-Centre
Facts at Hand
Gordon’s
on the Green
A Dance Performed By CSUSM Students
Bloomsdale Spinach
9
Asian Style Pulled Pork Tacos
9
10
1/3 lb. Angus Burger, Crispy Melted Cheddar Cheese,
Ketchup, Mustard, Relish
Angus Burger
1/2 lb. Angus Beef, Traditional Sides
Lobster Salad Roll
Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi
eg
Sa
an
h
ra
Fo u
t
Si ur
ste
rs
co
ee
Ai
m
eS
M
14
Fresh Lobster Salad, Toasted Lobster Roll
11
gl
Ea
92
19
13
Duroc Bacon, Avocado, Lettuce, Tomato,
Roasted Garlic Aioli, Ciabatta
h
C
Squeeze With Cheese
Grilled Chicken Sandwich
16
Cilantro Rice, Grilled Pineapple Salsa,
Pineapple Black Pepper Reduction Sauce
For Info, please contact
kschaffm@csusm.edu
Rite off-Centre
The VPA Department Presents the Annual
Consuming Raw or Under Cooked Meat, Seafood, or Egg Products Can Increase Your Risk of Foodborne Illness.
Menu Redesign of the Lunch Menu from
Gordon’s on the Green, located at St. Mark
Golf Club in Lake San Marcos. I chose to
redesign this menu because I am an Outside
Services Employee at this golf course.
Donations Welcome.
All proceeds benefit Dance at CSUSM.
$3 - Students, Seniors, Active Duty, and Veterans.
$5 - General Public
n
10
Grilled Peppers, Onions, Mushrooms, Provolone
Come Celebrate the
100th Anniversary of
the Rite of Spring!
io
Smoked Turkey, Applewood Bacon, Lettuce,
Tomato, Mayo, Sourdough Toast
May 2nd and 3rd @ 7:00 PM
in Arts 111
ng
Grilled Philly Cheese Steak
12
di
ar
Tempura Battered Mahi Mahi, Shredded Cabbage,
Pico De Gallo, Chipotle Aioli, Tortilla Chips
Classic Club
bo
8
to
d ent ng n
te
ar im ki s o
St per ma eat ter, p
ex ith ic b pu ra
w us om few
m e c a ith s.
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Fish Tacos
te
Entrées
Hand-Held Sandwiches Are Served With Your Choice Of:
French Fries, Garlic Fries or Asian Cole Slaw. Fresh Fruit or Green Salad $2
lf
12
iss
rM
Chinese Chicken
Grilled Chicken Breast, Shredded Napa Cabbage, Romaine
Lettuce, Mandarin Oranges, Sugar Snap Peas, Toasted
Almonds, Bell Peppers, Cilantro, Sesame Vinaigrette
9
a
Ye
House Made Buffalo Sauce, Celery, Creamy Gorgonzola
14
Skirt Steak, Chopped Romaine Lettuce, Oven Dried Tomatoes,
Grilled Balsamic Onions, Candied Pecans, Croutons, Crispy
Onions, Gorgonzola Dressing
a
Sk
Buffalo Wings
Steak Salad
e st
Th hri
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I w hur tte few my y w ng
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ch avi
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Fresh Maine Lump Blue Crab, Corn Relish, Tomato Basil
Buerre Blanc
ica
11
Crispy Potato Pancake, Asian Pear, Honey Hoisen Sauce
13
Grilled Chicken, Olives, Avocado, Hardboiled Egg, Tomato,
Blue Cheese Dressing
ss
10
Crab Cakes
Traditional Cobb
Je
Grilled Spiced Pork Belly
11
Chopped Romaine, Tomato, Egg, Red Onion, Black Olives,
Traditional Louie Dressing
10
Grilled Bacon Wrapped Prawns, House Made
Raspberry BBQ Sauce, Granny Smith Coleslaw
Bay Shrimp Louie
2
House Made Chipotle BBQ Sauce, Chinese Bao Buns,
Cucumber Salad
Raspberry BBQ Prawns
Bloomsdale Spinach, Toasted Almonds, Feta Cheese, Fresh
Sliced Strawberries, Mango-Cilantro Vinaigrette
O
h nly
b ave br
fro reak eve oke
gr m in r h n
so oun pu g m ad bon
cc d nc y w e
er d h ha as I
m ur ing nd
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ch g he
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Lightly Spiced & Tempura Battered Shrimp, Chipotle Aioli
Select Your Personal Favorites
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an lmo on w hev rki
d st it y M ng
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9
Crispy Melted Cheddar Cheese, Ketchup, Mustard, & Relish
E
at mp
M St. loy
ed
G ark
Co olf
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Snap Crackle Shrimp
Ch
9
y
d la go
an to p all,
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te e eb ll.
ar nu as ba
St nti r, b et
co cce bask
so d
an
Gordon’s Custom Salad
Ru
bi
k’s
Cu
al
len
be
So
gi
lv
ng
in
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m
pu
ys
zz
elf
les
“The Greens”
8
e
o
l
Appetizers
Crispy Cheeseburger Sliders
ik
Er
Daily 11 AM - 4 PM
This is my “Facts at Hand”
Project, where I took a photo of
my hand and added information
about myself that I feel is
important as to who I am today.
A Dance Performed By
CSUSM Students
May 2nd and 3rd @ 7:00 PM
in Arts 111
iPhone
11:00 AM
100%
11th Annual International Fair
International
CSUSM
Fair
Where:
LIBRARY PLAZA
2013
When:
THURSDAY, APRIL 18
from 11:00 to 2:00
Notes:
Sponsored by:
A Co-Curricular Funding Award
Office of Global Education
ASI and SLL
Come Celebrate the
100th Anniversary of
Poster Design: Erik Porter
the Rite of Spring!
Donations Welcome. All proceeds benefit Dance at CSUSM.
$3 - Students, Seniors, Active Duty, and Veterans.
$5 - General Public
10
CSUSM Spring Dance Concert
International Fair Poster
For Info, please contact kschaffm@csusm.edu
The two posters above
are my designs for the
Rite-Off Centre dance
performance, performed
by CSUSM students. Notice
that I used trajan Pro in these
two posters.
This poster is my design
for the 11th Annual
International Fair that took
place here on campus.
11
Colophon
Personal Designs
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a
m
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s
s
a
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w
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a
d
n
e
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18
ic
s
s
s
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c
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c
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t
g
a
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o
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)
t
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38) Get a tattoo
l
a
r
u
m
a
r
t
in
3
n
20)
Try out for
A PLay
information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from Erik Porter.
The design above is an interpretation of
a list of activities you should do before
you graduate college. I found this list
online and I am actually setting a goal
to do some of these items on the list
before I graduate college myself.
11) Sit in on a lecture you’re not taking
o
t
24) Get an
Internship,
Paid or not
or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or by any
Abroad
13) Rush for a Fraternity, even if you don’t join
t
a
40) Karaoke
Volunteering
y
12
o
* = All Additional Games Under That Franchise
o
Font Four: Xbox 360
35)
23) Make time for
a
Gamecube
Than the Beach
for Spring Break
l
Two:
font three: original xbox
f
Font
e
Forza Motorsport*
Font One: Nintendo Sixty Four
More Interesting an instrument
P
adventure
burnout 3: takedown
33) Go somewhere 36) Learn to Play
)
racing
r
shooter
Mario Kart
a
sports
22) Try out to
be the university
mascot
29) Attend a costume party
19
zombie
b
King Kong
Mass Effect*
Marvel Ultimate Alliance
Assassin’s Creed*
Batman: Arkham Asylum & Arkham City
Fallout 3
Red Dead Redemption
L.A. Noire
Road Trip
k
FIFA*
Madden*
NBA 2K*
Skate. 1, 2, & 3
Cruisin’ World
fable
prince of persia: the sands of time
A
minor
21) Learn a
Foreign
Language
l
Cruisin’ USA
Tennis
jet set radio future
madden 2005
mvp baseball 2005
Melee
r r
u o
o f
y n r
in w e
e to m
iv e um
) L eg e s
9
3 ll th
o
c
Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 1 & 2
Bioshock*
Gears of War*
Call of Duty*
Borderlands 1 & 2
Dead Space*
Grand Theft Auto IV
Super Smash Brothers:
Paper Mario
Luigi’s Mansion
Animal Crossing
Mario Party 4
UN Expected
a
star wars: battlefront 2
splinter cell
grand theft auto: san andreas
halo*
timesplitters 2
ghost recon 2
rainbow six 3
32) Declare
W
2
)
Prime
34) Read the
campus paper
Every Day
Mario
Metroid
to go on an
i
n
m
u r
L o
A f r
n r a
a e c
y k r
u ic u
B st yo
major league baseball
ft.ken Griffey jr.
NBA Jam
NFL Blitz
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater
Goldeneye
Perfect Dark
Party
10)
16) take your picture
in front of the
oldest building
on campus
17
Resident Evil 4
Left 4 Dead 1 & 2
Dead Island
Dead Rising
Plants Vs. Zombies
Call of Duty: Zombies*
Gauntlet Legends
Pokemon Snap
Pokemon Stadium
Super Smash Brothers
Mortal Kombat*
30) Skip Class
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be republished, systematically reproduced
Study
15) Learn the words to your fight song
a
pajama
26) Don’t get a credit card!
28) Fail at Something
31) Throw
rp
a Parking Ticket you
n
i
s
as
cl
9) Join at least
to
one campus org.
Go
8)
25) Vote
5) Become friends with one professor
7) Get
fr hec
om k o
th ut
el a
ib bo
ra ok
ry
s
ma
a
aj
WHOLE THING
3) Order a pizza and EAT THE
27) Start a Business
1)
4) Stay up all night
e
th
2) Take a nap in the “Quad”.
© Spring 2013 Erik Porter
cramming for an exam
e
in
s
m
r
o
d
12) Meet the university president
Erik Porter
14) Visit every building on campus at least once
40
The design below is a portrayal of the video games that I
have enjoyed played during my lifetime. The different
colored boxes represent the different genre of video game
each game is, and the different font styles represent
the platform on which I played each game. This project
was fun for me because it brought back a lot of
memories that I had forgotten about.
Resident Evil Two
Long Lists
Things While in
To Do: College
c
Making Connections
Publisher: Erik Porter, San Marcos, CA
590 Rush Dr. San Marcos, CA 92078
Notes:
This book was designed using Adobe InDesign and was outputto Portable Document
Format (PDF). The fonts used in this book are Trajan Pro and Helvetica Neue.
Sixteen pages at 10” x 10”; 1 photo.
Contributors:
James Miller, Instructor of the Advanced Graphic Design (VPA 380) class at
California State University San Marcos. Also, Wikipedia.
Publication Editor: James Miller
Book and Cover Design and Selected Authorship: Erik Porter
References:
Ellen Lupton, Thinking with Type, 2nd revised and expanded edition: A Critical Guide for
Designers, Writers, Editors, & Students (Design Briefs) (New York, Princeton Press, 2004, 2010)
University Affiliation:
California State University San Marcos
333 S Twin Oaks Valley Road
San Marcos, CA 92096-0001
United States of America
760-750-4000
Disclaimer: The publisher shall not be held liable for inaccuracies in the text. The views
expressed are those of the author. The articles are not intended to be definitive and
should not be relied upon as a substitute for specialist advice.
13
Type Specimen Book
2013
© Erik Porter