Copter Design Studio

Society of Scribes: Redesign

cj — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 07:11:13 +0000

As part of the Society of Scribes redesign we created a new logotype, working with master calligrapher Alice Koeth, founding member of the organization. The new logotype references the original lettering created for the organization in 1974, but has been completely retooled and redesigned in the horizontal orientation for more effective and consistent use across print, web, and digital communications.

With the new website, our goal was to build a more inclusive, interactive environment for the membership while creating an online destination for the calligraphy community at large. This involved integrating dynamic elements to the site such as live flickr/twitter feeds and a blog, as well creating a space for academic resources and publications on calligraphy where out of print material will be digitized by the organization and shared with those interested in learning about calligraphy.

Website before redesign

Website after redesign

For the site’s typography, we chose the humanist sans-serif Agenda by Greg Thompson (Font Bureau). As it is based on the work of Edward Johnston, considered a father of modern calligraphy, it is sympathetic to the calligraphy showcased on the site while remaining firmly typographic and not competing with the calligraphic work. For the serif type we chose Georgia by Matthew Carter (Font Bureau) for it’s high level of craftsmanship and readability on screen at small sizes.

More about the logotype:
As an organization focused on the lettering arts, the fine details of the logotype required special care. Precise attention was given to the width of each letter depending on its surroundings, for example the “S” in Society is not the same as the “S” in Scribes, all to create a balanced effect across the logotype. The same was true for the spacing between the letters, adjusted contextually and done according to calligraphic spacing conventions (which are in some ways different from typographic spacing conventions). Additionally during the digitization process we made sure to precisely capture the letterforms while maintaining the warmth of the original calligraphy.

Original calligraphy detail:

Digital logotype detail:

Special thanks to Alice Koeth, Society of Scribes Founding Member, and Cara DiEdwardo, Society of Scribes President.

Nike: Harlem Team Hyperfuse

cj — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 09:34:52 +0000

Nike released a Harlem team hyperfuse using the branding we designed for the Battle of the Boroughs innitiative.

Type@Cooper TDC Exhibition

cj — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 03:22:36 +0000

My work from The Cooper Union Typeface Design Program will be on display at the Type Directors Club in our class exhibition, with an opening reception on Tuesday September 27th from 6–8pm.Above is a sample of my original typeface, Range, which will be on display at TDC.

My work will be shown in the company of my 10 extremely talented classmates: Aaron Carámbula, Annica Lydenberg, Becky Johnson, Cristóbal Henestrosa, Jesse Vega, Juan Carlos Pagan, Liz Meyer, Mark McCormack, Nick Sherman, and Thomas Jockin.

RSVP Free admission to attend, space is limited.

Nike Battle of the Boroughs: Harlem Team Branding

cj — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 19:51:17 +0000

I designed the logotype and branding, including custom number set, for Nike Basketball’s Harlem team for the 2011 Battle of the Boroughs. Rather than starting with an existing typeface, I used one of my own custom alphabets I’ve been working on as the basis for the logo.

Branding applied to team jerseys

In addition, Nike will be releasing a pair of white AF1s with the Harlem logo laser etched into the back right side, as part of the NYC borough pack in August.

Instore signage

Thanks to Anthony Nguyen at Tango and Sons for bringing me in on this project.
*Images via freshnessmag.com and allsportseverything.com

Original Typeface Design: Process Book

cj — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 16:47:54 +0000

I started at the Cooper Union in the Post-Graduate Typeface Design Program in the Fall of 2010 and began my original typeface design in January of 2011. The following are some photos of my design process for this project.

Early sketches exploring translation and expansion stroke models

Explorations for the italics

Looking into adding additional weights

I was lucky enough to present my work to Johnathan Hoefler of Hoefler & Frere-Jones and master type designer Matthew Carter.

Below is the current state of my design, as I presented it this week. I will be continuing development for my Cooper Type final.

*Matthew Carter photo courtesy of Cristóbal Henestrosa, Johnathan Hoefler photo courtesy of Jack Curry

Team Nike NYC

cj — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 22:48:31 +0000

The Team Nike NYC campaign I designed for Nike Basketball is now live.

Judgement Day Tour: LiveZine

cj — Sun, 15 May 2011 16:31:53 +0000

I joined Judgement Day on their national tour with Pinback and created a series of tour zines along the way.

I created a new zine for each show using photos I took along the way and hand lettering I drew on the spot, usually at the venue during the sound check before the show. The zines would then be for sale at the show, printed on demand using a portable laser printer. It was a nice design challenge to create a (nearly) daily publication while traveling. This required making quick decisions and trusting gut instinct with no time for second guessing.

Type@Cooper: First Specimen

cj — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 18:56:48 +0000

First specimen of my revival typeface, still in development.

Type@Cooper: Hand Lettering w/ Ken Barber

cj — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 17:15:11 +0000

Logotype created for Ken Barber’s workshop on The Drawn Letter as part of the Typeface Design Program at The Cooper Union.

Fixed Gear Moscow: Tokyo to Osaka Photos

cj — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 23:06:35 +0000

Some photos I took on the Tokyo to Osaka trip last summer are featured on the Fixed Gear Moscow website