Nicolle Rezwin- Chapter 3 Reading Response

 Chapter 3, Syntax and Communication,  begins with a simple definition of syntax, the process of arranging elements in to a cohesive whole.  The chapter then proceeds to give examples of syntax with the individual letter. One example that stood out to me was with the letters A and g. These letters were combined into a new configuration with the use of form-to counter form interaction. These two letters are acting as signs, extracted from a larger system of signs.  It amazes me that with the proper utilization of positive and negative space, that two different letters can unify and look as if they belong together.

The next element of design is the word. Just like individual letter has form and counter form relationships, the word also has a form and counter form relationship. The designer is able to discover connections and rhythms because of these relationships. I like how the chapter describes words as being a constellation of individual letterforms, suggesting a union and cohesive whole. The chapter also discusses the spacing between letters. These spaces have to look equal to each other to achieve cohesiveness. It never occurred to me that spacing is a difficult process because the letters are all in different configurations. Designers must measure space through optical balance rather than through measurement.

The Chapter then discusses lines, columns and margins. The placement of lines is structural concerns. It is interesting to me that the smallest change in the point size or line length can change the whole emphasis to the line of type. The way that columns and margins are placed also can change the cohesiveness. It is interesting to me that there are many elements to the cohesiveness of a design and if one part is off, the whole design is off. Paying attention to details is a key part in making a design cohesive.

Communicating is also very important in creating a cohesive design. One way to communicate is through the visual hierarchy. This is an arrangement of elements in a gradual series from most prominent to least prominent. I like how in the visual hierarchy the designer looks to balance harmony with contrast. The image below shows an example of visual hierarchy in web design.