Compose two styles
Rather than blending two styles into a middle, this assigns them roles: one carries the structure, the other appears as an accent. Where the two fight, it says so before you start.
How to divide the work
- Composition
- Follow Modular Type System: A 4–8px base unit and three to six type steps
- Type
- Set in Modular Type System's manner (One family, developed through weight, width and size), and let New Wave's lettering (Mix condensed, geometric and vertical setting) appear only where you want the eye to catch.
- Material
- Ground in Modular Type System's material (Fix the rules of size, leading and margin before color); bring in exactly one thing from New Wave (Yellow, red, blue, dots, thin rules).
- Colour
- Build on #eeece5, #3c64bb, #171714 and admit one accent from #f1dfca, #f03d51, #3156af.
Where they fight
- Modular Type System and New Wave share no intent, so the contrast has to become the subject rather than something to smooth over.
Caution
- Modular Type System Rule-keeping is not the goal. Leave room for the content's exceptions.
- New Wave Don't multiply small decorations. Choose one starring deviation.
Image prompt
An original image that takes its structure from Modular Type System (Layout, modernist–variable type) and its accent from New Wave (Style, 1970s–1980s). Structural cues: Ratio scales; Repeating hierarchy; Baseline grid; Variable widths. Accent cues, used sparingly: Irregular grid; Dots; High chroma; Rotated type. Composition: A 4–8px base unit and three to six type steps. Type and lettering: One family, developed through weight, width and size. Let one material quality come from the second style: Yellow, red, blue, dots, thin rules. Mood: Trust, Technology, Calm, Play, Rebellion, Exhilaration. Color: build on #eeece5, #3c64bb, #171714 with a single accent drawn from #f1dfca, #f03d51, #3156af. Constraints: do not imitate, reference or name any specific artist, studio, brand, character or copyrighted work. Produce an original composition in the general period languages described above.
Related entries
- Modular Type System modernist–variable type / Layout / Type Classification
Locks sizes and spacing to a few ratios, one consistent voice across changing media.
- New Wave 1970s–1980s / Style / Counterculture
Keeps punk's freedom while re-editing color and grid with urban polish.
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