Visual Communication

Independent Learning :: April 27 — May 1, 2020

graffiti writing

learning goal

I can apply elements of line, shape and form to a typographic design.

1

View Now

In the early 1980s, street artists in New York City painted subway cars that traveled across the city. Their ephemeral art was captured by photographers like Henry Chalfant and Martha Cooper before it was washed away. Graffiti became a visual component of the emerging hip-hop scene captured in films like Style Wars.

2

Practice

Three basic elements of design are line, shape, and form. These elements can be found in graffiti as “tag,” “throw,” and “piece.”

Tag 

A “tag” is a word design using the qualities of line. We cannot color in a tag, it is simply the essence of what develops the next dimensions in the form of a line.

Throw 

A “throw” is a letter or word that can be filled in with color or design. The letters in “throw” styles now have shape.

Piece 

A “piece” letter or word now has the illusion of form. Various forms of perspective create perceptions of height, length, and width. Overlapping letters create depth in space. Color is applied in numerous schemes, including gradation, to further enhance references to form.

3

Create

Tag Letters

With Adobe Illustrator, or simply pencil and paper, use the Graffiti Lettering tutorial to create four different "tag" designs using your initials, or any two letters of your choice.

Try these techniques in each box:

In the first box, stretch one letter to touch the top and bottom of the box with the second letter being smaller.
In the second box, stack one letter on top of the other.
In the third box, twist and curve your letters in different ways.
In the fourth box, make each letter touch all four edges of the box.

Throw Letters

After a run or two of “tag” letters, move onto “throw” letters. Continue to use your initials or any two letters of your choice.

Create a new document in Illustrator. In the first box, simply start with “tag” letters and to expand into a letter that has shape.

In the next box, draw one letter tall and one letter small.

Continue this idea in the remaining boxes. Twist letters. Stack letters. Make letters connect to each side of the box.

Once you have had some practice, overlap letters. Add new letters and try to overlap three and four letters in one box.

Piece Letters

Draw in the four boxes and add perspective. Experiment with adding designs, images, and patterns inside your letters.

When you're done, add your tag, throw, and piece to your portfolio and publish.