Type 2 is a class modeled after the Swiss method of teaching design: Start with a lot of restrictions that lessen over the course of the term. We also were limited to designing the same book cover the entire term. The first week we could only use 9 point Grotesque MT light, adhering to a horizontal baseline. The last week we could use imagery, color, and any size or shape of Grotesque MT. Since I like restrictions when I’m designing, I actually had to learn how to loosen up a bit and be experimental. Here are some of my favorites from the term, plus some of my final book layouts.

Here’s a teaser pic of my Type 2 final book.

With fashion as my inspiration, I designed what felt like a million line and dot compositions based on color relationships and basic design structures — asymmetrical balance, complementary contrast, emphasis by anomaly, and so on. I selected 18 compositions (and 18 correlating fashion-themed photos) and bound everything in a flag book format. The minute I got done with it (after weeks of hard design labor and four prototype books), I thought of a billion ways I could improve it. Still, I’m extremely proud of it and there’s no way I’m going to spend another second on this project (at least for the time being).

The dimensions of the book are 6 x 18.5 in. when it’s closed, and nearly 4 feet wide when opened up. I was trying to emulate the drama and surprise of a fashion show. Also, the flag book format allowed me to emulate the pleating/draping/ruffles/fringe of a couture gown. To finish things off, I’ve indicated the cover with only a couple inches of tailor’s tape.

Stamped these for me and my husband.

For our final life drawing segment of the class, we were asked to pick one of the drawings we made in class and design a logo for it. This model is a retired animator and he wore a jokey tuxedo and posed with a big, fat, fake cigar. Very fun.