GRAPHICAL STYLES OF WRITING Styles of writing are very important when presenting a graphical piece of work. Artistic styles can change a simple presentation into one that is remembered. Often it is only the title that needs to be graphical with all the rest of the text in a plain and simple style. The style applied to a word should in some way reflect the feel or sound of the word. 1. Look at the word FLAME below. It is written twice, the first is a plain text and the second is in a style that reflects the word itself. Which do you think is the most interesting? Explain why this is most interesting to you. 2. Examine the next two examples below. The word loud is drawn to appear as if the letters are getting larger or louder from left to right. What do you think of the colour scheme? Would you choose a different colour scheme? Write down your thoughts on the word river and the style of graphics that has been selected.

3. In the space below design a style for each of the two words. You may wish to experiment on scrap paper first. Think carefully, not only about the style but the colour scheme you intend to use. METALSAND TIP: Metal is bolted together and so the word could be composed of beams/girders of steel bolted together TIP: Sand is made up of flowing grains. An hour glass is often used as a simple egg timer in a kitchen. Could the word be shaped like an hour glass?

CREATING A STYLE OF WRITING THAT SUGGESTS MOVEMENT / ENERGY A style of writing can suggest an image / feeling or atmosphere. Designers and advertisers are very careful to select styles that produce the right image for their product. For example, a sports drink container is likely to have a font that suggests strength and movement. A vitamin drink may have a lively style of font with colour suggesting fruits. Even plain fonts can be altered to produce the correct feeling or atmosphere. Look at the two examples below EXAMPLE ONE The font opposite fails to represent speed as it is plain, static (not moving) and has no colour / shade. The font has now been altered. The letters have been angled forward. This can be achieved by adopting an ‘italic’ style. The plain ‘S’ has been replaced with a stretched version. The top and the bottom of the letter tapers. Red is the selected colour and it slowly fades to the left hand side. The font now represents speed and movement.

EXAMPLE TWO The word ‘energy’ seen opposite is written in a plain style. It does not reflect the image of energy at all. However, it can be altered in simple ways to produce the right atmosphere. The lettering has been angled and the first letter altered so that the top and lower parts of the ‘E’ extend almost across the length of the word. Orange is the main colour as this suggests, energy and warmth. A star has been added to give a little ‘sparkle’. The light green background suggests ‘environment’ and freshness. In this example the lettering style remains the same and the background has been removed. An athletic image has been added to reinforce the feeling of movement and energy. A ‘heart beat’ pattern has been included as well.

Try developing a style of writing to reflect the words shown below. Consider adding simple images and colours / shade that create the right atmosphere. Add notes to explain your design / style of writing. Exercise 1