Woodland Park TYPOGRAPHIC SCULPTURE PROPOSAL

Table of contents

History of Woodland Park

Concept Inspirational Pieces About the Typeface Designer of Binner Poster Typographic Sculpture Small Details Location

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reflecte

reflect

1914 Citizens gathered at a picnic area.

“It was the second park in the entire city.”

1914 Houstonians at the grand opening of the Park.

Woodland Park, originally named Highland Park, had its grand opening on July 4,

1903. The Houston Electric Company invested $30,000 in its construction wanting it to be the finest park in the south. This was the second park in the entire city and attracted thousands on the weekends because of its many activities including music concerts, concessions, rides, boating, and of course the park itself. A restaurant and a dance pavilion were also constructed that accommodated up to 1,000 people. A dam was built which created a large artificial lake for small motor boats. The park was very successful and continued to thrive from 1903 to the end of the decade.

History of Woodland Park

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reflect

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Concept The Woodland park has a great history which should be demonstrated in an attractive

sculptural piece. The purpose of this booklet is to make the proposition to build a typographical piece that will enhance the parks historical moments. This piece would contain the word “reflect”, to be used in both meanings of the word. The material of the piece will be reflective and will be engraved with informational facts about the park. Additionally, this piece will be placed over the Beaver Pond bridge as a railing, which is much needed.

“Cloud Gate” by Anish Kapoor (Chicago, Illinois)

“Cloud Gate” by Anish Kapoor (Chicago, Illinois)

“Vestige” by Rob Mulholland (Aberfoyle, Scotland)

“Follow Me” by Jeppe Hein (Bristol, United Kingdom)

There are many sculptural pieces that inspired this concept. One major one being “Cloud Gate” by

Anish Kapoor in Chicago, Illinois. This reflective sculpture is not only intriguing to look at, but it also interacts with the environment. The reflective piece for Woodland park, will interact with visitors who approach the railing as they read the historical stories engraved throughout the piece.

Inspirational Pieces

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a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

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The usage of the word “reflect” will be present in the piece and by having letters in any piece,

the appropriate typeface should be chosen. For this project the typeface that greatly fits the concept is called Binner Poster, by type designer John F. Cumming. Binner Poster was created on December 1897 for the Dickinson Type Foundry, a branch of the American Type Foundry. This typeface contains a thick and thin strokes which produces contrast and is great with large format letters, such as this project.

About the Typeface

“The close application required by the occupation of the type engraver naturally calls for relaxation, and the most rational, while the most conductive to health, is some outdoor recreation or sport.”

John F. Cumming

John F. Cumming

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The reason why John F. Cumming is the perfect designer is because he

loved parks and was fascinated with the different activities that Woodland Park had during it first years. He was in a rowing club, and was Deputy Fish and Game Commissioner. During the time he was creating the typeface Binner Poster, he made twenty arrests for violations of the fish and game laws.

Designer of Binner Poster

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The idea for this project is to use the word “reflect” with the typeface, Binner Poster, to create

a typographic sculpture that will not only display parts of the history of the park but also be a useful element in the environment. A railing is desperately needed over the bridge at the end of Beaver Pond by interstate 45. This sculptural piece will be the railing, which will be made out of polished stainless steel and will face the water. It will be reflective and will be seen from far areas of the park.

Typographic Sculpture r

The park celebrated its

grand opening in 1903.

In 1914 we were officially named Woodland Park.

The Houston Electric Company invested $30,000 to

make this park great.

There used to be a huge ballroom floor near the entrance .

This park used to be named Highland Park.

We were the second park to open in the entire city of Houston.r The park

celebrated its grand opening

in 1903.

In 1914 we were officially named Woodland Park.

The Houston Electric Company invested $30,000 to

make this park great.

There used to be a huge ballroom floor near the entrance .

This park used to be named Highland Park.

We were the second park to open in the entire city of Houston.

r The park celebrated its

grand opening in 1903.

In 1914 we were officially named Woodland Park.

The Houston Electric Company invested $30,000 to

make this park great.

There used to be a huge ballroom floor near the entrance .

This park used to be named Highland Park.

We were the second park to open in the entire city of Houston.

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When walking on the bridge and viewing the railing from the back, visitors can catch

short stories of the park’s history engraved in the metal. These small reminders will inform viewers of interesting facts that they previously did not know before about the park.

Small Details

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T his sculptural railing would be located over the bridge at the end of Beaver Pond next to interstate

45. This location is ideal for the piece as the word “reflect” faces the water and is visible from many access points when walking through the park.

Location

This proposal booklet was created for the typographical sculpture proposal of Woodland Park. The fonts used in the book are Binner Poster and Gill Sans. Paper used is a twenty four pound weight white paper, and white cardstock. Clear and silver vinyl was also added in some pages, as well as transparencies.