Compose & Plan: Expressive Text

Day 3 – Illustrator

Compose & Plan: Expressive Text

We are back to the mission: words as design. Work in Adobe Illustrator, keep type live, and stay non-destructive.

Adobe Illustrator • A4 × 4 Artboards • Live Type Only • Guides + Grid

Do Now

File → New → A4; Artboards: 4; Portrait.
Artboard Tool: rename to Idiom-01 … Idiom-04.
View → Rulers (Cmd/Ctrl+R) & Smart Guides (Cmd/Ctrl+U).
Make a rectangle the full page → Object → Path → Split Into Grid: 4 columns, 10 mm gutter → View → Guides → Make Guides. Delete the rectangle.
Layers: Mood (lock), Design (active), Notes (hidden).

Demo

Build a reusable type system (Paragraph Styles and Character Styles):

Display (idiom): 120–300 pt, bold/black; tight tracking for impact.
Secondary (echo/support): 40–80 pt; contrasting weight or width.
Small (definition/credit): 10–14 pt; looser tracking for air.
Create Paragraph Styles for all three; Character Styles for italics, caps, alternates.

Tips: Headlines often use Optical kerning; long text stays on Metrics. Variable fonts help fast exploration across width and weight.

Panels: Window → Type → Character, Paragraph, Paragraph Styles, Character Styles. Window → Align.

Thumbnail Sprint

For each artboard, set your idiom as live type using the Display style, then generate variations:

Scale study – extreme size contrast so one word dominates.
Spacing study – rhythm and silence via tracking and leading.
Alignment study – flush edges versus optical centering.
Axis study – condensed versus extended (variable font width or weight).
Contradiction – meaning versus form, for example “small” set massive.
Negative space – use margins and voids to create tension.

Keep everything live. If you are tempted to outline, duplicate the type on a hidden “Backup” layer first. We outline only when essential on Days 4–5.

Mini-Crit

Share one idiom. What is the idea? Which typographic choice delivers the meaning? How does the grid support it?

Feedback prompts

Where does my eye land first? Is that the right place?
What one change would increase clarity?
Any spacing collisions or awkward holes?

Decide and commit

Lock one direction per idiom for production.
Note micro-type fixes to revisit (kerning pairs).
Save as Lastname_ExpressiveText_v02.ai.

Preflight for Production

Paragraph and Character Styles created and applied.
Global Colors defined, guides locked, grid consistent.
Live type backups saved on a hidden layer.
Artboards correctly named: Idiom-01 … Idiom-04.

Exit Ticket:

For each idiom, circle which axis leads your idea: Scale, Spacing, or Rhythm.

Homework:

Finalize font choices (activate or collect any missing fonts on this machine).
Bring 2–3 fresh typographic references for each chosen direction.
Keep the file clean: guides locked, styles named, backups in place.

Shortcuts:

T Type • V Selection • A Direct Selection
Cmd/Ctrl+R Rulers • Cmd/Ctrl+U Smart Guides
Tracking/Kerning: cursor between letters + Opt/Alt + Arrow
Split Into Grid: Object → Path → Split Into Grid for quick columns

MSHS Classes Layout

Sunday October 27, 2025

The Final Layout for MSHS

Sunday November 24, 2025

The Revised Final Layout for MSHS

Sunday January 4, 2026

First Draft of the Middle School & High School Yearbook

January Tuesday 26, 2026

MSHS Yearbook & ES\KG Yearbook

Wednesday March 22, 2026

Final Drafts Are Ready

Sunday April 5, 2026

File Submission to Mr. Biju

Thursday April 16, 2026

Desired Date for Books to be Submitted to ABS

Thursday May 15, 2026

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Project Timeline

MSHS classes layout

Sunday October 27, 2025

The final layout for MSHS

Sunday November 24, 2025

The revised final layout for MSHS