Enjoyed the subject so much,that I thought..... A LOGICAL CONCLUSSION BASED ON POSITIVE INFORMATION would be in order. This applies to Lefties,Righties,Men,Women,Self-taught,Schooled,Wannabies and Has-Beens throughtout the world,North,South,East and West. As it applies to the basic structure of LETTERS as they relate to each other.ie(signs) TO REVIEW: "Drop Shadow" and "Mock Block" are used for the SAME purposes,but are NOT achived the same way! The added dimension they create,are used to attract the readers eye,to ONE focal point that is DIFFERENT from the rest of the sign. Which makes it stand out from the rest! In Layout Design,This is called "MAIN COPY" In Advertising,"PRODUCT BEING SOLD" Here is where you answer the question of WHY? is this done,as oppossed to HOW do you do this. Persons in the business of making signs. Usaually ask WHY. Persons in the sign business,usally ask HOW! In my case,it must be Basic Laziness. As to get BOTH "visually correct" & "advertising" at the SAME time!
Numerals and Script Lettering that are done to the Right,and Downward,will encompass ALL the strokes,so as to look uniform!(non-amature)
This INCLUDES all the connector bars on the script AND the "dreaded" numbers(2)two&(4)four
Block Letters done to the Left,and Bottom will cover ALL strokes,INCLUDING the "K"&"R"
Hope this helps (ps)arched letters,usally are NOT main copy with no need to be embelished
Does all this sound right???
Posted by Rob Clark (Member # 787) on :
Thankyou Professor....................um...............just run that by me again would you
RobC
Posted by timi NC (Member # 576) on :
The embellishment of lettering can be an art form in itself,the term is illuminating(not too sure of the spelling here).It historically was practiced by scribes on title pages in hand copied religeous texts and more recently on important documents,...I agree with some of your conclusions Pat. The typical intent of shadows is to either create the illusion of 3 dimensions or the illusion of space between the plane of the background(where the shadow rests) and the actual copy to be read(appearing to be floating somewhat closer to the viewer). These techniques can also be combined to create even more of an illusion of a 3rd dimension with both types of shadows,...one to create the illusion of 3d lettering and another to create the illusion of space between the "3d" copy and the plane of the background(cast shadow).
Unlike outlines the shadow should basically be considered the attempt to illustrate an actual dimensional letter as if it were 3d and or floating,so the rules of illustration apply. Thus you must have one consistant light source as light travels in straight lines casting very specific shadows when not diffused. In actual life because we have two eyes instead of one, the rules of perspective will also apply,if an attempt at any true realistic illustration of an actual 3 dimensional letter is to appear as it actually should.
As for rules to whether it should be placed to the left/right/above or below the lettering,it is usually up to the artist themselves to decide as to what illusion they are trying to create. There in is the key as to what illusion the artist wants to convey to the viewer.Traditionally in painted signage it was used to enhance a line of copy that the painter wanted to emphasis for one reason or another whether it was headline or descriptive phrase, if done properly it is an easy embellishment to enhance the design and draw the viewers eye to a specific part of the message and or line of copy.
Sorry about the long winded post here but as for "rules",... they do actually exist if you read in depth enough,....
[ March 31, 2002, 05:11 PM: Message edited by: timi NC ]
Posted by PKing (Member # 337) on :
Hi Ya Rob Just thought that this was BASIC strategy for the production of signs that the public WANTS to read. And advertise at the same time
Posted by PKing (Member # 337) on :
Thanks Timi That is exactly what I was trying to say as to the WHY we do what we do. Once again,to become successful in the quality of our craft. We must FIRST understand the Basics of lettering as to light,demension,color,etc.
Posted by PKing (Member # 337) on :
OOPPS
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
Duuuuhhh!
You mean after spending all that money on computers, clipart, fonts,progams, and equipment....now I have to learn some stuff?
Posted by R T Thomas (Member # 355) on :
Pat and anyone else that wants to respond, I understand the basis of what's being said here and agree that not everyone has the same idea of what is percieved to be "right" and "wrong". I myself have not been in the "sign" biz long enough to fully grasp all that being said here. I guess I'm making it a lot deeper than it actually is. But, for the sake of us here that would like a better understanding of the basis of light and shadows on lettering can someone take it upon themselves to do a "step by step" or at least post images with explanations of the reasoning behind the theories? I know I'd be interested to see the "whys and why nots" explained visually instead of just in text. Maybe I'm just lost in space or something? See ya, Thanks, R.T.
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