Typescape: Typographic Textures

WI State Standards:

AA Cr10h
Investigate: Engage in critical thinking, problem solving, and research through elements and principles of art and design studio practices and processes.
(aesthetics / problem solving)
AA Cr12h
Make: Create works of art that introduce students to media, care of tools, and basic craftsmanship skills.
(skills)
AA Pr10h
Develop meaning: Create s body of work incorporating personal, historical, and contemporary art to communicate one or more points of view.
(aesthetics / communication)

Learning objectives

graphic problem solving
creative project: planning and executing
creating visual textures
typography
edit and transform tools in Illustrator
implied values

Use typography to fill in the landscape.

Attempt to create different values and textures:

darker and larger elements in the foreground
smaller and finer fonts in the background
choose round, pointy, heavy, and thing typefaces for different textures.

STEPS

Open the file.

There are two layers in the file:

Drawing layer (locked) – holds the image template. Do not do anything on that layer!
Work layer – holds the shapes (pink) to use for clipping groups with the text areas.

Start with the foreground area:

Draw a text box for the front shape.

Make it bigger than the shape.

Experiment with font settings (Character panel). This area being the closest – you want to make it dark and detailed. Look for a detailed, but bold font.

Use "Justify" paragraph setting.
Then experiment with tracking and leading.
Type > Type Orientation
Consider using Type on Path tool.

To curve the text – use any of the following:

Object > Envelope Distort > … with Warp
Object > Envelope Distort > … with Mesh
Effect > Warp > Arch (and the rest of the options)

For extra texture – try:

Effects > Distort > Roughen
Effects > Distort > Pucker & Bloat

Once you are done with the texture and the font appearance – use the appropriate shape on the right and drag (option-drag) it over the front shape.

Object > Arrange > Bring to front – to bring the pink shape above the text area.

Now you can use it as a Clipping shape.

Select the text area and the pink shape.

Object > Clipping Mask > Make

You are done with the first shape!!!

Continue with the rest of the shapes.

Have fun!