Archive for January, 2010

Syntactics

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

In language, the way sentences are formed from words and phrases is syntactics. They are a set of rules that govern the use of grammar and language. In the structure that is our language, syntax provides consistency by establishing relationships in-between components and between components and the whole.

In the language of design, the syntax is the overall structure of a product. In graphic design, it is the grid, the typography, the imagery.

Syntactics is also the name of the WordPress theme used on this site.

My reasons and objectives for this design:

  • Because the internet has too many links.
  • Because I’m O.C.D. (aren’t we all?)
  • Because rules should dictate what a design should do. More broader the rules, the more concise and hence, better the result.
  • I believe in minimum contrast with maximum clarity
  • I believe in as little disturbance as possible, pushing white space around until  it fits where I want it to be.
  • I believe in imperfection
  • I believe in perfection through imperfection. Because we are never right the first time
  • I like color, but not too much.
  • I believe in art, I may not like it.



Devanagari Anatomy

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

As part of a study of Devanagari — an Indic typeface — I created a poster that attempted to describe the variety of typographical characteristics through a variety of different terms, almost the same way as different names for the parts of the human body.

While some terms are drawn from regular typographical terminology, I had to create a number of new terms taking into account the differences in the typographical forms.

I’m still not satisfied with the result as I believe a script as old as Devanagari, which was used to write ancient languages like Sanskrit as well as modern Indian languages like Hindi, Marathi, Konkani and Bhojpuri cannot be force-fitted onto a relatively new typographical classification system without taking into account its history and origins and understanding the script’s true form.

Human Ecology of Bangalore

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

As part of a course on Design & Society, we had to create an info graphic or visualization for local school students from the 8th to 10th grade on a topic concerned with the city of Bangalore, India. After going through a number of broad options like natural ecology, industrial development and way finding & navigation, we — me and two of my classmates — decided to work on the human ecology of Bangalore.

The info graphic describes the growth of population relative to specific areas, the divisions of the city with respect to different types of land use, migration statistics, infrastructure status and demographics.