Typographic Journal by Heela Sahely

Week 1

sahelyh — 2024-09-15 02:15:37 UTC

I received a small pack of Altoids mints and thought the font appeared neat compared to other brands selling breath mints. I personally love Altoids and prefer them over other mints and I also believe the logo has a unique connection to that. This logo has a variety of serif typefaces, although the company custom-made its font. I like the addition of silver in the backdrop of the letters as it accentuates the cold feeling of consuming a mint.

Week 2

sahelyh — 2024-09-15 02:42:32 UTC

I was sick this week and bought a bunch of tissues. The Kleenex brand logo font was all I was looking at. It's a strangely smooth and calming one, in my opinion, it almost looks like a long tissue arranged to spell the product itself. The typeface appears decorative, although its designer, Kimberly-Clark, claims that the font is titled Kleenex sans. I thought that the overall design of the Kleenex logo sold its name. I felt comfortable using this product after seeing its logo and thinking about it more the purpose of its design is there to demonstrate the practicality of tissues, being their softness and capability to grab and use, even for a person who was sick like me.

Week 3

sahelyh — 2024-10-12 18:15:17 UTC

I was working in the computer lab of my building and noticed the design of the branding on this computer mouse. I found it very interesting how they erased the link on the 'g' in 'Logitech' I was not sure if this was on all of their technology products. The company is known for using the brown pro typeface with its unique additions such as this one. I found this example worthy of the journal because it goes over one of the elements and changes that can be done in type anatomy.

Week 4

sahelyh — 2024-10-12 18:21:35 UTC

While walking around Richmond, I visited a bakery to get a small dessert for myself. I thought that the font and neatness on one of the bakery signs were visually appealing to look at and identify the place of origin. It also made me think of the kerning of the letters and how each one was aligned to establish a pleasing proportion. After researching, I believe the font closely resembles Radiata in a bolded format.

Week 5

sahelyh — 2024-10-20 22:54:01 UTC

The spur on the 'G' of this container of all-purpose seasoning really caught my eye, and the font is unlike anything I've seen before. After looking it up, the closest match I found was a bold font called 'Jing Jing'. I also found the line weight interesting, especially how the letters seem to sway. While it's not exactly 'Jing Jing', its possible that the company altered it to better suit their branding, making it a unique adaptation.

Week 6

sahelyh — 2024-10-20 23:01:45 UTC

My roommate brought home a broken 'No Parking' sign she found on the side of the road and thought it would be a fun design element for our apartment. I found the hierarchy and placement of the words, as well as the use of color to emphasize what's read first, really interesting. Even though it's a common sign, the use of icons and word placement works well in communicating its meaning and purpose through clear hierarchy. The first thing I see is the 'P' crossed out in red, then the 'towed away' in red letters, followed by 'No parking'.

Week 7

sahelyh — 2024-10-28 03:35:54 UTC

Today, I received a small box of eye cream with a labeled branding design that drew me into thinking about type anatomy and its impact on branding identity, especially in scientific contexts. The font is likely Arial or Helvetica, giving it a clean and clinical feel, aligning with the brand's scientific approach to skincare. What stood out the most was the unique treatment of the "o" in "molecules"- shrunken, elevated above the x-height, with a small dot beneath, resembling a molecule or scientific symbol. This subtle design choice adds a layer of credibility, making the brand feel precise and methodical while adding a unique visual twist that enhances both legibility and the brand's scientific narrative.

Week 8

sahelyh — 2024-11-18 15:46:37 UTC

I was sick this week and sought out multiple remedies for my cold. I ordered a lot of products to help me feel better. Luckily, I ordered these immunity shots containing spices and fruit vitamins which helped me feel better. I thought the decorative font of "Vive" was an interesting find for my journal. The ligature between the 'i' and 'v' was a design choice by the company to help illustrate Vive Organic's message of healing and the tang of fruits aiding the immune system. The thick and thin strokes improve the legibility of the font making it easier to catch the title of the product. Hierarchy is also important within this product as I was able to see "Vive" then "Organic" and finally "Immunity Boost", along with the rest of the text. Although the words "Immunity Boost" were in capital letters, it was seen as third due to readability.

Week 9

sahelyh — 2024-11-18 15:59:19 UTC

I was on a road trip and we stopped at a local McDonald's to use their restroom and I stumbled upon this interesting sign. Going over capital letters from last week, and an interest in workplace type, I found this sign as fitting for my journal. The first thing I noticed was the bars in 'e' being lower, which makes me wonder why a straightforward monotype would go for this. It made me think about how the creator of the sign designed it to get the employee's attention. The kerning of the letters was something that caught my eye later on. There were a lot of design choices I discovered from a sign that I saw as a simple workplace etiquette reminder to employees.

Week 10

sahelyh — 2024-11-18 16:37:29 UTC

Taking a trip to the local library, I found a book that was very significant to me in my childhood. This library in particular I went to, had nothing but donated books. Because I immediately recognized this book, I had to purchase and own it. The title of the book stands out as very decorative and even its color choice and decorative sparkles brought a lot of nostalgia when I found it. I figured that since the title of the book "Fairyland" was designed with a variety of swirls and textures, it would make for a good journal entry. Swirls are drawn in the tail of 'y' and letters like 'r' and 'a' are decorated. The broken glass texture also with magenta displays the audience of the book, being children.

Week 11

sahelyh — 2024-11-27 20:05:03 UTC

I was looking more into sans serif due to my presentation on the font Arial and during that time I took a picture of a Burger King sign with a changeable letter sign. It made me wonder how employees of a restaurant or public place are keeping typographic foundations in mind while working locally. Kerning and tracking also come to mind since arranging letters individually is not always straightforward. The kerning enhances readability and reflects professionalism, even in a local fast-food restaurant. I can tell this kerning is pretty good because, from a distance, it does not appear off. The way the changeable letter sign is structured may also be a useful tool for arranging letters in the correct order. It also seems that the sign is divided to allow the letters to fall in rows for its leading.

Week 12

sahelyh — 2024-12-09 22:00:06 UTC

I was at a poster store and found this poster of a film I saw in 2017. It was probably one that would be printed and shown at the front of theaters to promote it. I was a fan of the Ninjago series when I was a kid and was always fascinated by the font. It combines sharp, angular letterforms with dynamic, culturally inspired design elements. It evokes the precision of a ninja's blade while reflecting the bold energy of brushstroke calligraphy. The sans-serif structure emphasizes modernity and clarity, while the irregular proportions and tight kerning create a sense of movement, making it visually impactful for headings or thematic selections. It's a storytelling tool with readability.

Week 13

sahelyh — 2024-12-09 22:10:06 UTC

I love Little Caesars, It's a good and affordable pizza place. I also adore the typographic elements of the font and animatic logo. Its playful and inviting typographic choice blends boldness with a touch of whimsy, making it an effective branding device. The letterforms are heavily stylized, with round edges and exaggerated proportions that communicate a friendly approachable vibe. It;s apertures are wide, creating open, rounded spaces within characters like 'C' and "a", enhancing clarity. The x-height is relatively high compared to the overall size of the characters, making the font feel larger and more accessible. The terminals are soft and rounded.

Week 14

sahelyh — 2024-12-09 23:00:47 UTC

While I couldn't resist grabbing the new Drumstick Slurpee from 7-Eleven today, I also couldn't help but think about the use of two brands colliding with both of their logos places with one another. The letter forms feel soft and approachable, with rounded terminals that remind me of the smooth swirl of ice cream. The cap height is generous, making the test feel large and welcoming. The counters like the letter "D" are big and inviting, like the experience itself. There's a sense of movement in the curved spine of the "S".

Week 15

sahelyh — 2024-12-09 23:09:25 UTC

At the VMFA today, I admired and used the signage for the Polo Pony: Perfection (1933) as an example of the typography that struck me as a masterclass in hierarchy. Although the artist's name was the first line, the bolded title of the piece dominated visually, ensuring it caught my attention immediately. Beneath these, the materials and data were delicately sized, adding context without competing for focus. Finally, a clean, readable block that the piece was from the Paul Mellon Collection tied everything together, inviting deeper engagement. The museum's typographic choices guided my experience effortlessly, mirroring the elegance and intentionality of the sculpture itself.

Week 16

sahelyh — 2024-12-09 23:18:21 UTC

I came across a flier for the Furry Club created by a fellow student, and I admired how much personality it had. The choice of Comic Sans might be unconventional, but here it worked perfectly to convey a relaxed, welcoming vibe that fits the club's community-focused ethos. What drew me in were the illustrations and playful decorations, making the flier hard to ignore. The layout was thoughtful too, with the title, headers, and social media QR codes arranged harmoniously, making the design easy to follow and visually appealing. Seeing creative student work always inspires me.

Week 17

sahelyh — 2024-12-09 23:27:36 UTC

I was on my way to class and caught sight of a fire safety sign that immediately got my attention for it's thoughtful design. The illustrations were simple yet effective, making it easy to understand the actions to take in case of an emergency. I especially appreciated the division of the three flames, each with a circle inside illustrating the steps to follow, which conveyed essential information visually, outside of written language. The text, though minimal, was spaced with perfect kerning, making it clear and easy to follow. It's a reminder that in design, clarity and functionality are important, especially when it comes to safety.

Week 18

sahelyh — 2024-12-09 23:41:29 UTC

I saw a flier from one of the art magazine, and was reminded of how much I love seeing ither students' work. The design of the flier immediately drew me in with it's heading and how bold and striking it was. This was complemented by an illustration of an ominous creature with antlers that perfectly framed the title, creating a sense of intrigue along with it's dark red color scheme. The typography was dynamic, with a variety of fonts used throughout to pull my attention in different directions. Each font choice felt purposeful, leading my eyes from one section to the next, ensuring that every bit of information was highlighted in just the right way. Its always inspiring to see how students balance creativity and readability in their designs, and this flier was a great example of that.

Week 19

sahelyh — 2024-12-10 00:13:42 UTC

I ordered a selection of snacks from Eastern countries recently, and as I unwrapped each package and placed them together like this, I couldn't help but marvel at how different these are from Western snack packaging. The fonts, placements of text, and overall readability were so different from what I was used to locally. Some labels were written vertically, which made me reflect on how typographic elements work in different languages, and whether the rules for legibility and hierarchy are the same or vary based on cultural norms. I also noticed that some packages included English grouped with a different language, perhaps for translation or aesthetic purposes. It did, however, create a unique balance between both scripts. The design choice seemed deeply tied to branding, and I found myself thinking about how typography in these regions conveys meaning in ways I hadn't fully considered before. It was fascinating to see how the text while serving the same purpose, felt so distinct due to cultural and linguistic differences.

Week 20

sahelyh — 2024-12-10 00:24:32 UTC

Today, I saw a flier hanging in the elevator's banner. the design caught my eye. The way the text was paired with the background was just perfect, with the name "Pwatem" standing out boldly in the center. What struck me was the unique twist in how the text was presented. It wasn't just a simple label, but something about its placement and color drew me in. The background was dark, and the lighter text popped against it, creating an excellent contrast that made the name easy to read at a glance. The design choice made it clear and impactful without being overly flashy. it was a simple, effective way of using color to ensure the message was immediately communicated, even ina busy space like an elevator. It is a great example of how the context, design, and color choices work in harmony to capture attention.

Week 21

sahelyh — 2024-12-10 00:31:59 UTC

Grabbing a small canister of 4C Tea today, and as I looked at the logo, couldn't help but appreciate how well the typography worked. The logo itself had a clean and balanced design that felt modern but approachable. What caught my attention, though, was how the letter "C" followed the number "4" in a smooth curve. This made me curious about how numbers are handled in typography, as in how their shapes, proportions, and placement can affect readability and design. The logo used numbers not just as a functional element but as a part of the overall aesthetic. and it made me think about how numbers are often overlooked in design but can really influence the overall feel and balance of branding.

Week 22

sahelyh — 2024-12-10 00:44:46 UTC

While on my week-long trip to Canada, I stumbled upon a few Fjallraven Kanken backpacks, I thought it was a very cute and unique design of the logo and how the text was used. The text wrapped around the logo of the red fox in a way that felt harmonious and perfectly balanced. The letters had a clean, geometric quality to them, with just enough spacing to maintain clarity while completing the curves of the fox emblem. The circular shape of the text seemed to mirror the roundness of the logo, creating a cohesive, unified look that felt both modern and timeless. The font choice was simple yet bold, ensuring the brand's name was instantly recognizable without competing with the iconic fox symbol. I also thought the choice of red works well with combining other colors. owning this backpack in pink, purple, orange, and other colors is achievable due to its logo being versatile.

Week 23

sahelyh — 2024-12-10 00:53:20 UTC

I saw a flier today on the billboard for an auction done by the CSA of VCU, and I couldn't help but admire how the typography captured the theme of winter. The font used for "Art" was slightly pixelated, which immediately reminded me of the chill and crispt feeling over winter. The pixelation gave it a digital, almost icy texture, which was a clever choice for a winter-themed event. Alongside the text, there were various designs, including a snowflake and nighttime moon, reinforcing the cool, seasonal vibe. Despite the minimal color scheme, the lack of vibrant hues didn't detract from the design or script. It made the overall look feel more refined and focused.

Week 24

sahelyh — 2024-12-10 01:12:04 UTC

I was intrigued by the hierarchy of this Richmond Indie Comics flier today. The title "RICE" was large and bold, immediately grabbing my attention. Beneath it, is the full name of the event. It followed a smaller, yet still prominent, font. Everything else on the flier fell into place below the title, guiding the viewer's eyes downward in a natural reading flow and centered interestingly. I presume the student who designed the flier may have edited some parts of the word "RICE" to give it a drippy effect, though it possible they found a corresponding font that matched the intended look. Either way, the combination of bold fonts and the dripping detail made the flier feel alive and full of movement and horror, just as the event was promoting.

Week 25

sahelyh — 2024-12-10 01:20:46 UTC

While grocery shopping today, I noticed the Propel, Gatorade, and Gatorlyte drink packets next to each other and found it interesting how PepsiCo uses typography and logos to differentiate these products. Propel features a sleek, rounded sans-serif lettering, giving it a clean modern look that emphasizes hydration. Gatorade, with its bold, compact font and strong kerning, feels more powerful and performance-driven, evoking athletic strength. Gatorlyte uses a slightly elongated format that suggests a more health-conscious, recovery-focused product. Despite these differences, they all share design elements like bold lettering and vibrant colors, maintaining brand consistency while subtly signaling their unique purposes.

Week 26

sahelyh — 2024-12-10 01:28:55 UTC

The promotion of the guest speaker event with Jeremy Fisher along with its flier grabbed my attention. The design of the flier featured fun capitalized decorative letters in a 3D style, which gave it a dynamic, playful feel. I especially liked how each letter of Jeremy Fisher's name in the title was a different color, adding a lot of visual interest and energy. This creative approach felt perfectly aligned with Jeremy's work in stop-motion animation, capturing the fun, lively nature of his craft.

Week 27

sahelyh — 2024-12-10 01:37:44 UTC

Today, after buying a facial mist spray with roses, I was thinking about how the arrangement of text on the container reflected the product's theme of skincare. It reminded me of the process we're going through while creating signs for buildings, where clarity and hierarchy are so important. The arrangement of information was well throughout as key information stood out with bold, larger text, while the finer details of the translation in Spanish were smaller, but clear and legible. The hierarchy made it easy to quickly absorb he most important information. The way the text was arranged highlighted the product's function, which is crucial when it comes to skincare .

Week 28

sahelyh — 2024-12-10 01:46:12 UTC

While enjoying my bubble tea at Kung Fu Tea today, I noticed a promotion on top of the drink for their collaboration with The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim. The title was bold, with "War" and "Rohirrim" in larger text than the rest of the title, which created a visual emphasis on the most dramatic elements. The font had a strong, medieval feel, with sharp, angular serifs that evoked a sense of strength and conflict. The letterforms were sturdy, with high contrasts between thick and thin strokes, making it feel both timeless and powerful. The bold, dramatic quality of the text conveys the epic nature of the story, while the smaller parts of the title feel more subtle, yet still clear. It was a great use of hierarchy and font selection, reflecting the intensity of the film and capturing the fantasy theme of the collaboration.