Drop caps are most definitely a unique element of typography, and when used effectively and in relation to the subject matter, can help the composition thrive. In this activity, our class had the collective goal of creating a unique drop cap with a corresponding paragraph displaying it. I specifically wanted to capture to look of a Nintendo 64 classic game controller in the form of the letter E.

I found it especially difficult to manage the scale when brought down to paragraph format because the shapes and strokes of the curved line changed appearance at a smaller scale. I combatted this by manually editing each component at a smaller level. Managing the paragraph was quite easy as I chose an 18-point spacing to allow for some breathing room, as well as using a healthy margin to focalize the content.

In this activity, our class was tasked with the mission of typesetting a document. Although I like to believe my typesetting abilities have displayed tremendous improvement in recent months, I enjoy looking back on my first real stab at typesetting.

This initial activity focused on our beginning knowledge of alignment and grid. Most of the class did not have this prior knowledge so it was interesting to see the attempts at typesetting.

The assignment also had us watch “Louise Fili/ Design in the First Person”, which discusses a professional typographer and her journey to Italy to explore the years of type history the country had to offer. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the type and design of the past and has drastically it has shifted in recent times.